This summer, I had the honor of participating in the 2025 Summer Program at The Hague Academy of International Law in the Netherlands. Since its founding in 1923, the Academy has brought together students and practitioners from around the world to study and engage in meaningful conversations on the principles of international law. Being selected for this year’s program, alongside colleagues from more than 85 different countries, was a rare and humbling opportunity.
Over the course of three weeks, I attended daily lectures with world-renowned professors and judges, joined doctoral seminars, visited embassies and international institutions, and spent time researching in the Peace Palace Library. These experiences were not only academically rigorous but also deeply inspiring, offering the chance to learn from and connect with legal practitioners, diplomats, and fellow participants who share a passion for justice and human rights.
I am especially grateful to my International Law Professor and thesis director, Charles-Emmanuel Côté, whose guidance and support made it possible for me to receive a scholarship to attend. His encouragement has been an important part of my professional journey and my commitment to the field of international law.
One of the most significant moments of the program occurred on July 23, when the International Court of Justice issued a landmark Advisory Opinion on states’ responsibility to address climate change. As advocates gathered outside the Peace Palace, I had the privilege of witnessing the Court affirm that states have a duty to protect the environment and act with care to reduce the impacts of climate change. To be present for such a historic ruling was unforgettable.
Among the highlights of my time at the Academy was meeting H.E. Peter Tomka, former Judge President, currently senior Judge of the ICJ since 2003, and one of the leading instructors for this session. Building relationships with colleagues and mentors like him, as well as peers from across the globe, has broadened my perspective and deepened my understanding of how international law intersects with global politics and human rights.
The city of The Hague itself, often called the “heartbeat of international law,” added to the richness of the experience. Walking through the same city where Hugo Grotius once lived, and being surrounded by institutions like the ICJ and the International Criminal Court, reminded me of the history and the continued relevance of this field.
This training was more than an academic program. It was a lifetime experience that reinforced my commitment to using knowledge of international law to advocate for people and communities across the world. I return to my work with Jericho Road encouraged and equipped to continue building connections between global perspectives and the everyday pursuit of dignity and rights for those we serve.
A personal account from Fidèle Menavanza, Chief Compliance & Global Operations Officer, whose journey continues to bridge law, justice, and community at Jericho Road.
