Helsinki Summer Seminar on International Law 2026

DESPAIR, HOPE, ACTION
Monday–Thursday, 24–27 August 2026
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