Survey of International Organizations (SIO-OEA)

“One’s destination is never a place but a new way of seeing things.”

Henry Miller

 

The SIO-OEA is an innovative Moodle-based course that allows students to continue interacting with international experts, maintains international partnerships between institutions and provides intercultural exposure for participants with virtual site visits/networking with senior officials at international organisations.

We are enthusiastic to be able to offer the international experience (virtually), course content, contacts and overall experience of the SIO to students at this challenging Covid-19 time in our online education abroad program.

  • Tentative Course Schedule Summer 2021

    Sunday – 20 June Arrivals and Orientation/Information Session


    Module I, IV (June 21 - June 25) INTERNATIONAL LAW & HUMAN RIGHTS

     

    Monday – 21 June A.M. International Human Rights Law: An Introduction (Andrea Egbuna-Joss, University of Fribourg)

                                    P.M.  Workshops Intro: HR, EU, ADV (TBA, University of Fribourg)

    Tuesday – 22 June A.M. The Role of International Organizations & Global Solutions (Joanna Bourke, University of Fribourg)                                    P.M.  Workshop groups

     

    POLICY AND ADVOCACY I

     

    Wednesday – 23 June A.M. Environmental Humanities, Sustainability and Justice, (Ivo Wallimann-Helmer, University of Fribourg)

                                           P.M. (13:00) Wheels Plus Wings Foundation, Ian Stewart (Chairman/Founder of Wired Magazine)

    Thursday – 24 June     Field Trip 1 - Departure at 7:30

    Friday – 25 June           Workshop: Human Rights (TBA)

     

    Module II (June 28 - July 2) INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC RELATIONS

     

    Monday – 28 June        P.M. The World Trade Organization: A Peculiar Actor in Global Economic Governance (Sean Stacy, World Trade Institute, Berne)

    Tuesday – 29 June        A.M. The Role of a National Intellectual Property Office in an International Context (K. Houshang Pour, Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property, Berne)

                                            P.M. How Foreign Aid is Used Strategically by Donor Countries (Mark Schelker, University of Fribourg)

    Wednesday – 30 June      A.M. Swiss-US Economic Relations: Challenges and Perspectives (Philippe Nell, Minister, Head of Americas Unit, State Secretariat for Economic Affairs)

                                            P.M. Local Currencies and Global Imbalances: Roots of the Current Economic Crisis (Sergio Rossi, U-Fribourg)

                                            P.M. Exam review session

    Thursday – 1 July          Mid-term Exam

    Friday – 2 July                Field Trip 2 - (Departure: 07:00 – Return: 19:00)

     

    Module III (July 5 - 9) EUROPEAN INSTITUTIONS

     

    Monday – 5 July             P.M. Institutional Law of the European Union (Andrea Egbuna-Joss, University of Fribourg)

    Tuesday – 6 July             A.M. + P.M. European Integration and Direct Democracy: Anti-European Movements on the Surge? (Bernhard Altermatt, Center for European Studies, University of Fribourg)

    Wednesday – 7 July       A.M. The European Union and Switzerland, (TBA)

                                             P.M. Workshop: European Union (TBA)

    Thursday – 8 July           2-days of Field Trip  (Departure: 6:00) 

    Friday – 9 July              (return to Fribourg 21:00)

     

    Module IV (July 12 - 16) POLICY AND ADVOCACY II

     

    Monday – 12 July           A.M. PEN Ukraine: Advocating Freedom of Expression (Mykola Riabchuk, Honorary President)

                                             P.M. Supplier Diversity - Diversity in the Supply Chain (Andrea Fimian, IBM Switzerland)

    Tuesday – 13 July          A.M. Fundamentals of International Diplomacy – (Fabian Grass, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs)

                                            P.M. Philosophy as a Way of Life – (Edward Swiderski, University of Fribourg)

    Wednesday – 14 July    Workshop: Advocacy (TBA, University of Fribourg)

    Thursday – 15 July        Final Exam (09:00), Farewell dinner (18:30)

    Friday – 16 July               Independent study – deadline for term papers

Admission Requirements

Currently enrolled in, or graduated from, an undergraduate or graduate university Fluency in English (both written and oral)

GPA of 3.0 or equivalent
Submission of application materials online by May
 15, 2020

Click here to download procedure for admission