The Geneva Academy PhD Forum in International Law International Institutions and Actors, Accountability, Governance in a Globalized World

12 September 2025, 9 am to 5 pm

Tihao Zeng, Teaching Assistant at the Geneva Academy

Tihao Zeng, Teaching Assistant at the Geneva Academy

Vasiliki Dritsa, Uiversity of Geneva

Fuad Zarbiyed, Geneva Graduate Institue 

Xia Li, University of Basel 

Katia Rosenblat, University, University of Geneva 

Nicolas Bueno, UniDistance Suisse 

Brian Frenkel, University of Buenos Aires

Larissa Myriel Fricke, University of Fribourg

Tamara Gricoras, University of Fribourg

Mara Tignino, University of Geneva 

Mario Pasquale Amoroso, University of Trento

Feiran Wu, East China University of Political Science and Law

Stavros Pantazopuloos, Naitonal and Kapodistrian University of Athens 

Alessia Nicastro, Geneva Graduate Institute

Nicolas Hafner, Geneva Graduate Institute 

Theme: International Institutions and Actors, Accountability, Governance in a Globalized World

Convenor: Tihao Zeng, co-sponsored by CUSO

09:05 – 09:15             Introductory Words: “Accountability of non-State Actors”

Tihao Zeng, Teaching Assistant at the Geneva Academy

09:15 – 09:45              Panel 1

Panelist:

Vasiliki Dritsa (University of Geneva), “Authority and Governance in Investor-State Dispute Settlement: The Role of International Institutions and Non-State Actors in Shaping the Future of Investment Arbitration”

Discussant:

Fuad Zarbiyev, Geneva Graduate Institute

09:45 – 10:00             Coffee Break

10:00 – 11:00             Panel 2

Panelists:

Xia Li (University of Basel), “From Passive Compliance to Active Shaping: How Upstream Supply Chain Companies Are Reshaping ESG Standards”

Katia Rosenblat (University of Geneva), “Human rights jurisdiction and obligations of home states in the transnational business context: Effective control over a territory”

Discussants:

Nicolas Bueno, UniDistance Suisse (online)

Brian Frenkel, University of Buenos Aires

11:00 – 12:30             Lunch Break (Lunch provided)

12:30 – 13:30             Panel 3

Panelists:

Larissa Myriel Fricke (University of Fribourg), “Water as a Weapon, Water as a Right: Towards a Transnational Framework of Water Criminal Law”

Tamara GRIGORAS (University of Fribourg), “Ordering Nature: How International Environmental Law Comes to Be”

Discussant:

Mara Tignino, University of Geneva (online)

13:30 – 14:00             Coffee Break

14:00 – 15:00              Panel 4

Panelists:

Mario Pasquale Amoroso (University of Trento), “Climate Protection in the context of armed conflict: How the ILC and ICRC Shape IHL Norms on the Protection of the Natural Environment”

Feiran Wu (East China University of Political Science and Law), “Capacity, Rights and Restrictions Derived from Sovereignty: the legal basis and boundaries of non-State actors to access, share, and protect data in Humanitarian Contexts”

Discussant:

Stavros Pantazopoulos, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (online)

Tihao Zeng, University of Geneva

15:00 – 15:15             Coffee Break

15:15 – 15:45              Panel 5

Panelist:

Alessia Nicastro (Geneva Graduate Institute), “Violence against women: an inquiry into the limits of international human rights law”

Discussant:

Nicolas Hafner, Geneva Graduate Institute (online)

15:45 – 17:00             Cocktail Reception at Villa Moynier

Genève (Villa Moynier)

L'ensemble des frais sont pris en charge dans la limite des plafonds budgétaires de la CUSO. Une désinscription tardive d'un.e doctorant.e qui engendrerait des frais pour la CUSO est susceptible de donner lieu à une demande de remboursement de la CUSO directement au doctorant.e.

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Please contact tihao.zeng(at)geneva-academy(dot)ch with any questions.