Online Specialized Course: Protection of Stateless Persons.

Millions of people around the world live without a nationality, limiting their access to fundamental rights such as education, healthcare, employment, and legal protection. Understanding statelessness—and the legal and policy frameworks designed to address it—is essential for professionals working in human rights, migration, refugee protection, and international development.

The Human Rights Centre at the United Nations-mandated University for Peace (UPeace) invites applications for its online certificate course Protection of Stateless Persons.

📅 Dates: August 26 – October 6, 2026

💻 Format: Fully online, flexible and interactive

🎓 Certificate awarded by the University for Peace (UPeace) for Certificate and Academic Credits tracks participants.

Participants will develop a comprehensive understanding of the international protection regime for stateless persons, as well as the legal and policy measures aimed at reducing and preventing statelessness. The course combines expert readings, case studies, video lectures, and interactive webinars to bridge theory and practice.

What you will learn:

• The concepts of de jure and de facto statelessness
• The international legal framework, including the 1954 and 1961 Statelessness Conventions
• Statelessness Status Determination procedures and the role of UNHCR
• Prevention and reduction of statelessness, including safeguards for children's right to a nationality
• Contemporary challenges and emerging issues affecting stateless populations worldwide

Who should apply?

This course is designed for:

• Staff of NGOs and civil society organizations
• Government officials and policymakers
• Personnel from international and intergovernmental organizations
• Researchers, students, and practitioners working on migration, forced displacement, nationality, or human rights
• Anyone interested in strengthening their understanding of statelessness and international protection.

Learn from an expert

The course is taught by Dr. Mihir Kanade, Director of the Human Rights Centre at UPeace, whose work focuses on human rights, globalization, forced migration, and sustainable development. He has trained professionals from governments, international organizations, and civil society on refugee and statelessness protection for many years.

This course can be taken as a stand-alone certificate or as part of the Diploma in Human Rights and Forced Displacement.

💡 Financial assistance packages are available. Applicants interested in learning more are encouraged to contact the Human Rights Centre.

👉 Enroll: https://hrc.upeace.org/index.php/enroll/

ℹ️ Course information: https://hrc.upeace.org/index.php/events/protection-of-stateless-persons/

📩 Questions? Including about financial assistance: check our Frequently Asked Questions page https://hrc.upeace.org/index.php/frequently-asked-questions/ or contact us at hrc@upeace.org.

Join a global learning community committed to advancing the rights of stateless persons through informed, rights-based, and practical approaches.