“Being a human rights expert is one of the most fascinating new professions for people with various backgrounds. You need to have an open mind, motivation and empathy, and we provide you with the knowledge and skills you require to work in the challenging world of universal human rights.”
Manfred Nowak, Professor of International Law and Human Rights at Vienna University, Co-Director of the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Human Rights and former UN Special Rapporteur on Torture
No philosophical idea has had a more profound impact on international relations and world politics than human rights. Within half a century since World War II and the Holocaust, human rights developed into the only universally accepted value system of our times. The recognition of states as democratic, developed and peace-loving nations today depends on their capacity and willingness to protect human rights. Long-term dictators and brutal military rulers are increasingly being ousted and held accountable for gross and systematic violations of human rights before international criminal tribunals. Even business corporations and international organisations are judged by their human rights performance. In post-conflict situations and transitions from totalitarian to democratic rule, human rights constitute an essential element of peace-building, development and good governance. Human rights open the doors to a better world for all.
The implementation of human rights in rich and poor countries, in peace operations, development projects, transition and post-conflict situations requires highly motivated and skilled human rights experts with empathy for human beings.
With our newly designed Master of Arts in Human Rights the University of Vienna offers you the unique opportunity to study human rights in an international, trans-disciplinary and practice-oriented environment.