(1) Academic activities

a) The curriculum

* Each regional network runs an academic programme with a core curriculum including common features as specified hereafter:

• Aspects of the European Union human rights and democratisation policy and activities
• Human rights instruments (Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international and regional instruments concerning civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights);
• Promotion of democratisation and the rule of law;
• International criminal justice and the fight against impunity.

* Regional variations are reflected in the programme. A particular effort is made to ensure that the rights of the child and women’s rights are fully part of the curriculum.

 
* All regional Master's programmes have a strong element of operational skill-building: the course curriculum provides adequate time for such teaching. The unique combination of theory and practice contribute to the interdisciplinary character of the Master’s programmes.

 
* Visits to international and regional institutions is considered and encouraged.

 
* The curriculum planning is evaluated on a regular basis.

 
* Academic teaching is supervised by high profile academics. Teaching is done by academic experts and also by experts from intergovernmental organisations, NGOs and national authorities, human rights practitioners experienced in fieldwork and EU representatives.

 
* The system of examination and assessment of thesis is consistent between all participating higher education institutions.

 
* The working language of each regional Master's programme is the most common language of the region. Language training can be offered to allow participation by deserving students from countries in the region where the language of the programme is not widely used.
 

b) Students

* The selection process for students is transparent, equitable and coherent between the participating higher education institutions. Reflecting the inter-disciplinary nature of human rights and democracy, students can represent a variety of academic backgrounds.

* Attention is paid to ensure a gender and sub-regional balance in the selection of students
 
* The majority of the students come from the region concerned. Moreover a small number of fee-paying students  may be also allowed to participate in the programmes.

 
* Each programme follows-up graduates’ career development, including by providing opportunities for internships and supporting operational alumni associations.

 

c) Academic recognition of the Master's Degree

* In order to ensure the academic recognition of the Master's degree, each Master’s programme delivers at least 60 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) credits or their equivalent.

 

* The degree is conferred as an academic postgraduate degree by one or more of the participating higher education institutions, and is recognised by the other regional human rights and democratisation Master’s programmes.

 

d) Co-operation with other regional Masters programmes

* The regional networks cooperate with one another with a view to enriching their programmes through the exchange of lecturers, tutors, students, examiners and dissertation supervisors. This includes the European Master’s programme in human rights and democratisation organised by the European Inter-University Centre based in Venice, Italy.
 

* They also integrate the different regional programmes through the organisation of joint events and activities (website, international conferences, alumni reunions, visits to institutions, internships with international agencies) and the publication of yearbooks, journals and newsletters.

 

(2) Management

Each lead organization of the Master’s programme of their region has at least four other partner higher education institutions from different countries in the same region, represented in the decision-making bodies, and able to actively participate in the training of students.

The decision-making bodies of the Master’s programmes are encouraged to establish joint consultations with student representatives, elected by their peers each year, on issues of concern to them.

(3) Monitoring and Evaluation

The teaching staff and experts is regularly evaluated by students, and, if possible, by other academic audit systems.