International Organizations and Multilateral Diplomacy

The course is based on the knowledge of international law acquired during the first year and further analyses the legal framework of the multilateral international cooperation between States, its regulations and institutions. The aim is for students to understand, also in a legal perspective, the roles and limits of action of international organisations in current international relations, as well as the diplomatic tools employed by States.
To this end, students' active participation in classroom activities is essential for the development of their critical thinking skills and for their independent study and research in the legal field. Such skills are also useful to further their studies with a view to working in international organisations or in public administrations interacting with them.

By the end of the course, students are expected to know the principles at the basis of the legal framework regulating the action of international organisations. Moreover, they should be able to identify and apply the relevant regulations regarding any aspect of the functioning of such organisations, also with reference to real-life cases, and to clearly explain the different orientations and related applications by using an appropriate language.
Through the research and analysis of legal sources and case studies, and debate on controversial issues proposed in the class, students will develop: the ability to make critical judgements with regard to the efficacy of legal solutions that lead to institutionalised multilateralism; the ability to use the legal terminology; the ability to study the subject on their own with a view to their future studies or careers.