International law has traditionally been seen as the law relating to states and, perhaps, international organizations, but not directly affecting private parties. This now is changing, with state courts and international organizations such as the UN claiming some authority over businesses; with private sector companies being engaged in (and affected by) the work of international organizations, and with public authorities increasingly resorting to models of administration and ‘doing business’ borrowed from the private sector. Yet, the legal framework has lagged behind, and is still predominantly based on the state as central actor. Likewise, legal thinking has yet to catch up. The 36th Helsinki Summer Seminar on International Law (25-29 August 2025) aims to take stock of, and shed light on, these developments.
Jean d'Aspremont Sciences Po School of Law
Dorothée Cambou University of Helsinki
Melissa J. (“MJ”) Durkee Washington University
Jan Klabbers University of Helsinki
Berfin Nur Osso University of Helsinki
Sebastian Machado Ramirez University of Helsinki
Elisabetta Morlino Suor Orsola Benincasa University of Naples
Ukri Soirila University of Helsinki
Tleuzhan Zhunussova University of Helsinki
The application period begins on 25 April and closes on 13 August 2025.
Prospective participants have to fill in the online application form and complete the course fee payment. The cost of attending the seminar in Helsinki is 200€ for degree and PhD students, and 300€ for professionals. Please note that your registration is not complete until we have received your payment.
The course fee does not cover accommodation costs, travel tickets or meals.
Kindly note that your registration will not be complete until we have received your payment!
Degree students of the University of Helsinki Faculty of Law can attend the seminar free of charge and include it as an elective in their study programme. To obtain 5 credits, a minimum of 80% in-person class attendance and the submission of an essay in Moodle are required. For further information and registration, please see Sisu.
Registrations are binding, and the application fee is payable upon receipt of the payment link. Course fees minus banking costs can be refunded for cancellations made by 31 July 2025 at the latest.
Kindly note that if you are not a citizen of an EU/EEA country, you may be required to present a visa to travel to Finland. More information about the visa requirements in the Schengen area can be found on the Ministry for Foreign Affairs' web page. Should you need to include an invitation letter in your visa application, please send an e-mail to intlaw-institute@helsinki.fi.
Participants will have to make their own accommodation arrangements.
For your facility, we offer a non-exhaustive list of accommodation options:
Unihome
https://en.unihome.fi/
sales@unihome.fi
+358 2941 24727
Forenom
https://www.forenom.com/accommodation-for-students/
https://help.forenom.com/s/
Eurohostel
https://eurohostel.eu/
eurohostel@eurohostel.fi
+358 9 622 0470
Citykoti
https://www.citykoti.com/
info@citykoti.com
+358 50 555 0058
CheapSleep
https://www.cheapsleep.fi/
reservation@cheapsleep.fi
+358 40 483 8280
Helsinki can easily be reached from anywhere in the world.
Helsinki-Vantaa Airport is the main airport of Finland. The airport is situated 19 kilometers (approx. 25 minutes) from the centre of Helsinki.
Helsinki can also be reached by train, bus or ferry.
Airport transport
By train:
The train (P and I lines) leaves between Terminal 1 and 2, and arrives at the Helsinki Central Railway Station (Rautatientori). Tickets (zone ABC – 4.10€) can be purchased at designated HSL ticket machines before boarding the train. The journey takes approximately 35 minutes.
By bus:
The public transportation operator HSL serves the route Airport – Helsinki City Centre with bus number 615 and 415. The final stop is Helsinki Central Railway Station (Rautatientori). From the airport, the bus leaves from the bus terminal located in front of terminals T1 and T2.
The journey takes about 50 minutes and costs 4.10 € ( zone ABC) by both bus and train.
For more information please visit the Helsinki Public Transport website
Taxis are always available at the airport. The fare to the city will vary depending on time of day, number of passengers and distance, but the minimum price is 35 €. The price depends on the total number of passengers going to the same destination. Taxis can be ordered at the company’s service point at the airport. Before taking a taxi ensure that you are paying a fixed price. Fixed prices start at 35-42€.
In the city center
The Faculty of Law at the University of Helsinki is situated in the city centre on Yliopistonkatu 3, right next to the Helsinki University (Helsingin yliopisto) metro station.
Public transport is easy to use in Helsinki, even if you are not familiar with the city.
In the public transport system you can travel with single tickets (Helsinki internal or regional) or with a tourist ticket (Helsinki internal or regional). Single tickets can be purchased from ticket machines or via the HSL app. A Helsinki internal ticket (zone AB) costs 2,95 € from a machine or via the HSL app.
Day tickets for unlimited use on public transport (metro, train, tram, bus, ferry service) for 1-7 days cost from 9 to 36 € (zone AB) and are sold via the HSL app, at the Helsinki City Transport service point in the central railway station or full-range HSL ticket machines at the airport or central railway station.
For more information please see the HSL website.
The programme of the Seminar will be uploaded here. All changes will be updated on this page.
The list of readings will be uploaded here.