Thank you for your interest in Catholic University’s International Human Rights Summer Law Program in Rome, Italy! The Program is offered in even years and will take place again in Summer 2026, tentatively from May 17th through June 6th.  Our location is Catholic University's beautiful Rome campus on the Janiculum Hill above Trastevere, close to the historic center of Rome as well as Vatican City.  This website is intended to answer commonly asked questions about the program. But if you have other questions about the program, I hope that you will contact me at italy@cua.edu

We believe strongly in the importance of educating students and encouraging discourse about the vital importance of human rights in promoting justice, ensuring the satisfaction of basic human needs and protecting the vulnerable against exploitation and abuse.  Rooted in the fundamental value of human dignity, global human rights instruments and institutions dedicated to the protection of human rights have vastly increased in number since World War II.  But unfortunately human rights violations continue to occur across the globe.  We hope that students on our program will dedicate their talents to protecting human rights, no matter where their professional lives may take them.

Rome is an amazing location to explore human rights issues.  Human rights were of vital interests to many ancient Roman thinkers and jurist, including Cicero, Seneca, Epictetus and Justinian.  The Roman Catholic Church has played a significant role in the development of human rights.  Many international organizations dedicated to human rights protection are headquartered in Rome.  Students can gain hands-on experience in human rights protection and/or other aspects of legal practice relating to international law by participating in legal externships in Rome after the conclusion of their studies on the program.

We also seek to foster a community of human rights scholars and so we offer you a variety of speakers, field trips, dinners, and other social events where you will have the opportunity to engage with Italian professional and students with an interest in human rights.

No prior law school coursework is required to study on our program.  We welcome students of all backgrounds and with a variety of interests.  All of our courses are taught in English.

We hope that you can join us in Rome!

Professor Susanna F. Fischer
Director , International Human Rights Summer Law Program in Rome
The Catholic University of America
fischer@cua.edu