Helsinki Summer Seminar on International Law 2026

DESPAIR, HOPE, ACTION
Monday–Thursday, 24–27 August 2026
International Law 2026
Seminar programme

MONDAY 24 AUGUST 

9:30–10:00 Registration and coffee

10:00–10:30 Opening
Päivi Leino-Sandberg

10:30–11:30 New actors in global environmental arenas (tbc)
Lauri Peterson and/or Hermann Aubié (UEF/CCEEL)

11:45–13:15 International Climate Law: Despair, Hope and Action
Kati Kulovesi (UEF/CCEEL)

13:15–14:45 Lunch break

14:45–16:15 International Climate Law: Despair, Hope and Action
Kati Kulovesi 

TUESDAY 25 AUGUST 

10:00–11:30 Intergenerational Equity: Rethinking Responsibility in International Climate Law
Tuula Honkonen (UEF/CCEEL)

11:45–13:15 Just transition and international law
Vilja Johansson (UEF/CCEEL)

13:15–14:45 Lunch break

14:45–16:15 Climate change and international courts
Annalisa Savaresi (UEF/CCEEL)

WEDNESDAY 26 AUGUST 

10:00–11:30 Environmental Democracy 
Päivi Leino-Sandberg (ECI)

11:45–13:15 Law and Political Economy of Water 
Ukri Soirila (ECI)

13:15–14:45 Lunch break

14:45–16:15 Between Hope and Disillusionment: Indigenous Mobilisation for Justice in the Transition 
Dorothee Cambou (ECI)

THURSDAY 27 AUGUST (University of Helsinki)

10:00–11:30 Criminalised Climate Activism: Challenges to Democracy
Milka Sormunen (ECI)

11:45–13:15 Theory, Practice, Provocation 
Tuuli Talvinko (Maailma Legal)

13:15–14:45 Lunch break

14:45–16:15 Fireside Chat & Q&A: Despair, Hope, Action 
Martti Koskenniemi (ECI)

16:15–16:30 Closing

Registration

The application period closes on 19 August 2026.

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.

Information about Visa

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 . Should you need to include an invitation letter in your visa application, please send an e-mail to .