35th Session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ)
Date and time: 1 June 2026, 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. CET
Venue: Vienna International Centre (VIC) – Room M0E79 and Online
Organizers: United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), University for Peace (UPEACE), and International Nuremberg Principles Academy
As the international community continues to confront complex conflicts, atrocity crimes, and evolving threats to peace and security, investing in education and professional capacity-building has become increasingly important to strengthening accountability, promoting the rule of law, and preventing future crimes.
To contribute to this discussion, the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), together with University for Peace (UPEACE), and International Nuremberg Principles Academy, will organize the side-event “Higher Education for Peace and Justice: Building Young Generations’ Competencies to Prevent Atrocity Crimes and Advance Accountability” on the margins of the 35th Session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ).
The side-event will explore how higher education and international cooperation can strengthen capacities to prevent atrocity crimes, promote accountability, and advance international criminal justice. The discussion will highlight the role of partnerships among Member States, United Nations entities, academic institutions, and international organizations in delivering high-quality and practice-oriented education programmes.
Featuring contributions from the University for Peace (UPEACE), UNICRI, the International Criminal Court (ICC), and the International Nuremberg Principles Academy, the session will showcase how innovative academic initiatives contribute to advancing Sustainable Development Goals 4 and 16 by promoting inclusive and quality education, strengthening justice institutions, and supporting peaceful, just, and resilient societies.
The side-event aims to strengthen understanding of how higher education contributes to crime prevention, international criminal justice, and accountability, while promoting dialogue and engagement among Member States, practitioners, academics, and students on the role of education in advancing peace and justice worldwide.
Opening remarks will be delivered by:
Giuseppina Maddaluno, Programme Management Officer and Co-coordinator of UNICRI-UPEACE LL.M.s, UNICRI
Video interview featuring Nazhat Khan, Deputy Prosecutor, International Criminal Court (ICC)
A high-level statement will be delivered by:
H.E. Olga Marta Sauma Uribe, Ambassador of the Republic of Costa Rica and Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna
The panel discussion will be moderated by:
Professor Olympia Bekou, Head of the School of Law and Professor of Public International Law, University of Nottingham
Panelists include:
Dr Juan Carlos Sainz-Borgo, Vice-Rector, University for Peace (UPEACE)
Leif Villadsen, Acting Director, UNICRI
Kiran Mohandas Menon, Senior Officer, International Nuremberg Principles Academy
The programme will also feature a testimonial by Marcelo Martoy Pitetta, UNICRI-UPEACE LL.M. graduate (2019/2020 cohort), highlighting the importance of specialised education and international cooperation in supporting professional development and advancing competencies in the fields of justice and accountability.
By bringing together institutional representatives, academics, practitioners, and students, the side-event aims to foster dialogue on the importance of higher education in advancing peace, justice, accountability, and crime prevention.
As global challenges continue to evolve across borders and regions, investing in education remains essential to building the knowledge, skills, and values needed to prevent atrocity crimes, strengthen justice systems, and support more peaceful, just, and resilient societies.
The event is a Side Event to the 35th Session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) and will take place in a HYBRID FORMAT. Participants may join in person in Room M0E79 at the Vienna International Centre. Prior registration is required and can be completed by scanning the IN-PERSON QR Code. For online participation, the link is available via the ONLINE QR Code (no prior registration is required).
Register Online: https://zoom.us/j/98557221258
In Person: https://indico.un.org/event/1023010/
Download the Background Note