2025 Research Workshops

The Politics of International Dispute Settlement [6 June 2025, Utrecht University]

On 6 June 2025, Utrecht University hosted the conference ‘The Politics of International Dispute Settlement’, organised by the Research Platform on Peace, Security and Human Rights (Utrecht University) the NNHRR, the Netherlands Institute of Human Rights (SIM), the Centre for Shared Regulation and Enforcement in Europe (RENFORCE) and the Utrecht Centre for Accountability and Liability Law (UCALL). The co-conveners of the conference were Kushtrim Istrefi (Utrecht University), Anmol Gulecha (Tilburg University), Alexandra Hofer (Utrecht University), and Vahid Rezadoost (International Court of Justice). The conference explored the intersection of law and politics in international courts and tribunals (ICTs), examining the political implications of international legal disputes. Discussions addressed ongoing trends, such as the increasing judicialisation of international relations, the growing involvement of Global South States, the rise of forum shopping, and the role of ICTs in shaping global issues such as climate change and human rights. Judge Bruno Simma from the International Court of Justice delivered the keynote speech. The keynote was followed by three panel discussions. The first panel, chaired by Alexandra Hofer (Utrecht University), focused on the International Court of Justice, and welcomed speakers Andreas Kulick (Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz), Gleider Hernández (KU Leuven), Kasim Balarabe (Jindal Global Law School), Jed Odermatt (City Law School, University of London) and Bilyana Petkova (University of National and World Economy). The second panel was chaired by Anmol Gulecha (Tilburg University) and explored the topic of ‘Litigation and Global Justice'. The speakers included Kyra Wigard (Utrecht University), Michael Ramsden (Chinese University of Hong Kong), Selman Aksünger (Maastricht University), and Otto Spijkers (Leiden University). The third panel focused on ‘Specialised and Regional Dispute Settlements', and was chaired by Kushtrim Istrefi (Utrecht University). Presentations were given by Jorge Contesse (Rutgers Law School), Isabella Risini (Technical University Georg Agricola), Urszula Jaremba (Utrecht University), Paula Wojcikiewicz Almeida, Vitor Furtado de Melo, and Lucas Vollers (FGV's Centre for Global Law, Rio de Janeiro Law School). More information is available here.

International Law’s Local Encounters: Experiences and Imaginaries of (De-)Coloniality [5-6 June 2025, University of Amsterdam]

On 5 and 6 June 2025, the Amsterdam Center for International Law (ACIL) hosted the workshop ‘International Law’s Local Encounters: Experiences and Imaginaries of (De-)Coloniality’, organised by Kanad Bagchi (University of Amsterdam), Tim Lindgren (University of Amsterdam), Lys Kulamadayil (Geneva Graduate Institute) and Debadatta Bose (UC Berkeley). The workshop was funded by Decolonial Futures (University of Amsterdam), the NNHRR, and supported by the ACIL. It examined how decolonial futures, and their appeal to and resistance to international law, play a critical role in shaping global legal norms and practices. Through examples such as the South Africa v. Israel case, Indigenous struggles in Australia, and resistance to IMF and World Bank policies in Kenya, participants discussed how demands for decolonisation are both articulated through international law and posed as challenges to it. The workshop critically reflected on how local experiences and global solidarities inform decolonial imaginaries, prompting questions about the limits and possibilities of using terms like ‘decolonisation’ and ‘coloniality’ within international legal discourse, and what theoretical and methodological tools are needed to make sense of these dynamics. More information is available here.

Security in the Digital Age [3-4 June 2025, Erasmus University Rotterdam]

On 3 and 4 June 2025, Erasmus University Rotterdam, in collaboration with Het Sectorplan SSH-Breed and the NNHRR, hosted a workshop on the theme of  ‘Security in the Digital Age’. The workshop explored the challenges posed by digital infrastructures to human rights and security. Prof. Bibi van den Berg delivered the keynote address, discussing the limits of risk management as the dominant approach in securing cyberspace. Throughout two days of panels and discussions, twenty speakers examined topics ranging from public infrastructure security to the intersection of cybersecurity with fundamental rights, securitisation, infrastructure in outer space, and data protection. The event closed with reflections on how to align cybersecurity measures with broader societal and legal frameworks. More information is available here.

Climate on Trial: Lessons from the Milieudefensie v Shell case [13 February 2025, T.M.C. Asser Instituut]

On 13 February 2025, the T.M.C. Asser Instituut, in collaboration with SEVEN - the Climate Institute (University of Amsterdam), organised a panel discussion on the implications of the Court of Appeal's Milieudefensie v Shell judgment from different angles and explored its significance for future climate accountability strategies. The Court of Appeal ruled that, whilst Shell was not legally compelled to meet a specific 45% emissions reduction target, states and private actors nonetheless have a shared responsibility under international human rights law to combat climate change that can influence private law obligations. This coincided with the European Union's newly adopted Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive. The discussion explored themes including the shared responsibilities of states and private actors in addressing climate change, the horizontal effect of human rights obligations on corporate conduct, the evolving legal landscape of corporate climate accountability and the use of strategic litigation, and the role of international guidelines and emerging EU directives in shaping corporate climate strategies. The panel was moderated by Stephanie Triefus (Asser Institute), and included speakers Andre Nollkaemper (founder of SEVEN, University of Amsterdam), Sjoukje van Oosterhout (Senior team lead of Milieudefensie in the climate case against Shell), Anneloes Kuiper (Utrecht University) and Chiara Macchi (Wageningen University & Research).