European Masters Degree in Human Rights and Democratisation

The European Master’s Degree in Human Rights and Democratisation is a multidisciplinary and intensive one-year academic programme that reflects the indivisible links between human rights, democracy, peace and development.

The aims of the E.MA Programme are:
• to form high-level professionals in the field of human rights and democratisation qualified to work as academics, staff members or field workers for inter-governmental, governmental, and non-governmental organisations
• to provide its graduates with practical work experience
• to create a European network of curriculum development and staff exchange among universities in the field of human rights and democratisation.

Graduation and Inauguration Ceremony
Palazzo Ducale, Venice
15 September 2002

Address by Ms. Daniela Napoli
Head of the Human Rights and Democratisation Unit
External Relations Directorate General, European Commission

Distinguished authorities,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Students of the E.MA,

On behalf of the European Commission, it is a great pleasure to be here on the fifth anniversary of the E.MA’s creation. I have followed the evolution of this unique Masters degree closely, and in the last five years I have watched it grow from a healthy infancy to its current strength and character. Every year the capacity, achievements and sense of purpose of the E.MA develop at a remarkable pace.

When the idea of the E.MA was first discussed, it required a leap of imagination to believe that all the elements would come together to make such a creature work. But not only was it successfully born, the E.MA has bounced precociously onto the world stage, making its distinctive voice heard in all corners of the human rights community.

The E.MA has grown strong not by accident, but through the careful support of its guardians and friends. The programme has benefited from many such supporters, all of whom regard it with real affection and recognise its special potential. Without question, the key elements in the success of this programme have been the vision and commitment of the actors involved, which has given the programme a capacity to evolve, constantly seeking to improve and make the most of its potential.

Among the key actors in this venture:
There are the academic institutions, in many ways the backbone of the E.MA. The hard work and generosity of the participating universities and professors have made this dream a reality. In sharing their expertise and breaking down academic barriers to learning, their contribution has been central to the achievements of the E.MA. In this respect, I would like to pay tribute to the responsible academics from each institution who have work so tirelessly to make the E.MA a success, in particular the Programme Director, Professor Papisca of the University of Padua.

When I was an undergraduate, one of my college professors once told me that university was a wonderful place, except for the students. Of course, this could not be further from the truth. Students are the vital lifeblood of a university, and certainly of this initiative. Since 1997, over 300 individuals with ‘E.MA’ after their names have proved that a university degree can be judged throughout the world by the quality of its graduates. Through their hard work and commitment both during the course and in the workplace afterwards, the graduates have been exceptional ambassadors for this Masters, truly the international voice of the E.MA. They are doing important work for human rights and democracy in every corner of the globe, in field offices and headquarters of intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations, in ministries of foreign affairs and as academics in universities. It gives me special pleasure to meet E.MA graduates fully engaged in work, for example at the United Nations in Geneva and New York: a living testament to the vitality of the programme.

The importance of the E.MA has been recognised by a wide range of institutions, whose support has been essential. The role of the Commune of Venice and the Region of Veneto cannot be underestimated; they have recognised the crucial importance of education, human rights and European cooperation, and given confidence and encouragement the programme. The disposition of the historic site which has become the home of the E.MA is an impressive example of such recognition. Similarly, the support and encouragement of the Italian government is deeply appreciated and increasingly important to the project.

Since its inception, the European Member States and institutions have been convinced of the E.MA’s potential to promote the core values of the Union.

It is the only project to have been mentioned in the conclusions of three European Councils, which made particular reference to the ‘added-value’ provided by the E.MA and the success of its graduates. Members State representatives also provide very welcome support by participating in the teaching programme.

The European Parliament, which is at the forefront of promoting human rights and democracy, has played a central role in ensuring the continuity of the E.MA. Its political support ensures that substantial assistance is provided under the part of the EU Budget reserved for politically important initiatives. Parliamentarians have also been generous in sharing their expertise with students.

International organisations and bodies, such as the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, UNESCO, the OSCE and the Council of Europe have given the E.MA prestigious backing and have actively participated in the teaching programme and Advisory Board.

The combined commitment and enthusiasm of all these participants has created a unique spirit of confidence and determination in the E.MA, a sense that great things are possible with hard work and imagination. This spirit has found concrete expression in the way that the course has developed year after year, learning from its experience and pushing the barriers of the achievable ever further. This capacity to evolve represents the very essence of the E.MA, its character and personality.

The first major evolution facilitated the enlargement of participating universities from the founding ten to fifteen, one in every EU Member State, and the more recent expansion to a total of 27 EU universities. These moves were made possible by the openness and generosity of the founding members, who worked hard to establish the degree, and decided to extend membership to colleagues from other institutions, thereby enhancing the diversity and strength of the network. On every occasion that difficult decisions have been made in the E.MA, they have been rewarded by exceptional results.

The evolutionary momentum of the E.MA has now picked up pace with the intended establishment of an autonomous European Inter-University Centre, which will assume responsibility for the management of the E.MA programme and will develop new initiatives in the field of human rights and democracy. I believe that the Centre will help to ensure the continuing success of the E.MA and build on the achievements of its partners.

The E.MA has also shown its capacity to interact with a rapidly changing world, and shoulder its responsibility to promote the values which inform it. It has, in its short life, provided supranational inspiration for the creation of similar regional degrees in South East Europe, Africa, the Mediterranean and hopefully soon Asia and Latin America. In the aftermath of the terrible events of last September, the E.MA has also made its contribution to the important debate on the role of human rights post 9-11, organising a high-level conference on human rights, the fight against terrorism and intercultural dialogue.

It is indicative of the regard in which E.MA graduates hold their alma mater that another important evolution has been at the initiative of former students themselves, namely the creation of an official alumni association. The growing network of graduates represents a huge potential for the promotion of human rights and democracy, and a graduate organisation is very much to be welcomed. I invite my colleagues from the many organisations represented here today to ‘watch this space’ for future developments.

I offer my warm congratulations to the students graduating here today, setting out from the cloisters of the Lido to make their contribution to the fight for human rights and democracy throughout the world. And to the new generation of Masterini, starting classes this week, I hope that your association with the E.MA will be a long and fulfilling one, and that you will play a significant part in its continuing development.

In conclusion, I would like to reiterate the appreciation of the European Commission for the achievements of the E.MA, truly one of our flagship projects. In only five years, it has made a significant contribution to making a world in which human rights and democratic values are increasingly meaningful and universal. Now, with its diverse partnerships and strong reputation, it is even more important that the E.MA continues with its pioneering, evolutionary approach. Imagine, with this spirit and character, what can be achieved in the next five years.

Thank you.