Teaching

Since 2017, Professor Paula Wojcikiewicz Almeida has been a visiting professor at the Paris Lodron Universität Salzburg. Every year, she teaches a course titled "Mercosurization of Brazilian Law" at the "Summer School European Private Law", organized by the Academy for European Private Law in partnership with the University of Salzburg. As the Director of the FGV Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence on EU-South America Global Governance, Prof. Paula Almeida plays a crucial role in educating jurists in comparative law and private international law to meet the challenges of an increasingly globalized and demanding market.

The course "Summer School European Private Law" spans two weeks and delves into approximately 30 different legal systems. Over 40 professors from various countries, as well as judges from higher courts and the European Court of Justice, participate in the course. This diverse faculty ensures a comprehensive exploration of legal perspectives. Moreover, the course attracts students from around the world, offering an invaluable opportunity for comparative analysis.

During her lecture, Prof. Paula Almeida elucidates the sources of private international law applicable to Brazil, including those established by the Organization of American States and Mercosur. She extensively covers the normative structure of Mercosur and explains the processes through which its rules are incorporated into member states. Additionally, she explores the enforcement and application of Mercosur legislation, highlighting the dispute resolution system and judicial decision-making processes. This comparative approach provides students with insights into the decision-making processes of both the European Union and Mercosur.

Furthermore, it is worth noting that FGV Rio Law offers scholarships to undergraduate and postgraduate students who wish to participate in the course. This initiative demonstrates FGV's commitment to fostering academic exchange and promoting a deeper understanding of the complex legal dynamics between the European Union and South America.

Overall, Professor Paula Wojcikiewicz Almeida's ongoing role as a visiting professor at the University of Salzburg contributes significantly to the education and preparation of legal professionals for the challenges posed by globalization and the interplay between legal systems on a global scale.
 

Professor Paula Wojcikiewicz Almeida, coordinator of the FGV Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence on EU-South America Global Governance, delivered the course "Universalism, Regionalism and Integration” at the International Studies Programme of the Catholic University of Porto.

The International Studies Programme, Master’s Degree in Law fully taught in English is organized into 3 semesters. The first two semesters are academic. During the third semester, students must submit their master’s dissertation. The Programme is concluded with the completion of 90 ECTS: 60 ECTS for the academic semesters, and the remaining 30 ECTS to the submission of the dissertation. Students must therefore complete 30 ECTS in each semester, from the following subjects and seminars.

The programme combines academic rigor with practical and multicomplex dimensions of the course subjects, ensuring that students receive a well-rounded education. The programme places a strong emphasis on innovative topics and promotes interdisciplinarity, motivating students to think critically and enhance their analytical skills. It offers a comprehensive approach to international law and international relations, equipping students with a deep understanding of these areas.

The teaching staff is comprised of highly qualified professionals with extensive international experience. Additionally, guest professors and experts from various backgrounds and countries are regularly invited, enriching the learning experience and providing students with diverse perspectives.

Professor Paula Almeida’s course took place from 27 February to 3 March 2023 and covered two modules. Module 1 concerned ‘Current challenges in the decision-making process of international organizations: cas choisis’, which comprised an introduction of the concept of global governance and the presentation of universal and regional decision-making processes and domestic implementation practices.

Module 2 concerned ‘Current challenges in international dispute settlement mechanisms: judicial dialogue and compliance’, which comprised an introduction on the global tendency regarding International Courts and Tribunals as multifunctional actors and the presentation of dispute settlement mechanisms before universal and regional organisations.

​

​

​

Professor of International Law and coordinator of the Jean Monnet Chair at FGV Rio Law, Paula Wojcikiewicz Almeida, was selected as a visiting professor at the Doctoral School of International and European Law at the École de droit de la Sorbonne - Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne.

During the month of January 2019, Professor Almeida taught classes on topics related to International and Regional Law in Latin America for master's and doctoral students in the field of international and European law. She also participated in research seminars organized by the Sorbonne Doctoral School.

The activities were coordinated by Professor of International Law, Jean-Marc Sorel, with the participation of Professor of International Human Rights Law, Laurence Burgorgue-Larsen.

"It was an honour to teach at the university where I completed my doctoral studies seven years ago. I was a student and now I return as a professor, and for that reason, I feel rewarded for all the effort and dedication," commented Professor Paula Almeida.

​

On September 8th 2022, Paula Wojcikiewicz Almeida, FGV Rio Law professor and coordinator of the FGV Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence, had a fruitful discussion with students from the LLM in Transnational Arbitration and Dispute Settlement, directed by professor Diego Arroyo, at Sciences Po Law School. She gave a lecture on the "Participation of state and non-state actors in cases before the International Court of Justice".

The LLM programme offers comprehensive training in theoretical and practical aspects of arbitration and dispute settlement. It focuses on transnational arbitration in all its forms, as well as other mechanisms of international dispute resolution, including litigation at the International Court of Justice and the World Trade Organization. The programme also covers domestic court litigation, mediation, and online dispute settlement.

In addition to procedural tools, the programme includes lectures on public international law, international contracts law, private international law, energy law, international investment law, and human rights protection. This combination of procedural and substantial knowledge prepares students to navigate the diverse tribunals and courts worldwide.

The LLM curriculum includes mandatory and elective coursework in small groups, offered in semester-long and intensive formats. Practical skills workshops are conducted at partner law firms and the ICC International Court of Arbitration. Students also have opportunities to participate in conferences, internships, and international moots, immersing themselves in the transnational arbitration network.

Upon completion of the programme, students are well-equipped to secure positions in international law firms, arbitration institutions, and international organizations, thanks to the high-quality education they receive.

Professor Paula Almeida’s presentation aimed to empirically map the participation mechanisms applied by state and non-state actors before the ICJ, taking into account recent developments in the Court's practice in the case of Ukraine v. Russia. Furthermore, it discussed the current challenges and procedural alternatives for the Court to be attuned with the new challenges and developments concerning community interests. Students actively participated in the discussion, along with professor Diego Arroyo and Bruno Sousa Rodrigues.

The event was an activity of the FGV Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence. The Centre advocates joint transnational activities and structural links with academic institutions in Brazil and around the world in order to share knowledge, develop partnerships and combined activities on issues of global governance and beyond.

​

​

​

Since 2019, Professor Paula Wojcikiewicz Almeida has been teaching the course on International Regulation at the Graduate Stricto Sensu Programme of the FGV Rio Law. The course aims to examine new trends in the processes of international normative formulation by international organizations and non-state actors. It focuses on identifying and analyzing emerging sources of international law, such as Soft Law, that are not explicitly listed in Article 38 of the Statute of the International Court of Justice. The course addresses the challenges associated with the participation of non-state actors in global governance, including issues of legitimacy, accountability, and public authority. It also explores the prescribed procedures and intended consequences for the contemporary global legal order.

Through a comprehensive analysis of the international regulatory landscape, this research seeks to investigate the presence and participation of non-state entities in international courts and the implications of their involvement. Additionally, it examines the emergence of global public goods in the international adjudication process and the challenges they present. The course also assesses mechanisms of good governance and the role of transnational regulatory authorities in international negotiations and decision-making processes.

Furthermore, based on the conducted studies, the course aims to propose considerations on the provision of international community values, such as human rights, the right to a healthy environment, health, and development, which are expressed through global public goods. It also endeavors to present potential political and legal alternatives to address the challenges identified, along with compliance and enforcement mechanisms.

By establishing an agenda for the development of research in the field of International Regulation and Global Governance, this course seeks to address the significant gap in understanding and knowledge, particularly in Latin America. The ultimate goal is to broaden knowledge about the practice of normative production in different regulatory contexts and stimulate interest in researching the normative production of regulatory bodies at the international level.

For more information, check the Graduate Programme’s website and the International Regulation Course Programme.

Since 2016, Professor Paula Wojcikiewicz Almeida is featured as an invited professor in the Executive MBA in Army Politics, Strategy and High Administration of the Brazilian Army. The programme, a collaboration between FGV and the Army Command and General Staff College (ECEME) since 1999, focuses on equipping colonels with the necessary skills to handle organizational and administrative challenges while providing advisory support to high-ranking military and government officials. With over 960 officers graduating from the programme by 2022, it has proven to be a valuable opportunity for military leaders. Notably, 186 graduates have been appointed to prominent positions and have played key roles in government and policy formulation.

Professor Paula Almeida teaches the course titled "International Law and International Organizations Law." The course is divided into two modules. In Module I, participants delve into the historical evolution of international law, explore the contemporary legal order, examine classic and new subjects of international law, and learn about state immunity. They also study the implementation of international law sources in the Brazilian legal system. Module II focuses on the judicialization of international law, including the multifunctional nature of international courts and tribunals, human rights cases, international responsibility, and dispute settlement mechanisms.

Professor Paula Almeida brings extensive expertise in international law and organizations to enrich the learning experience for participants in the Executive MBA program. Her invaluable contributions play a crucial role in equipping military leaders to effectively navigate the complexities of national and global affairs.

For more information, check: http://www.eceme.eb.mil.br/en/cpeaex-m-en 

​

On August 9th, 2022, Professor Paula Wojcikiewicz Almeida had the honor of giving a lecture on the "Participación de actores estatales y no estatales ante la Corte Internacional de Justicia (mecanismos jurídicos y desafíos)" at the " XLVII Curso de Derecho Internacional", organized by the Organization of American States in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The class aimed to discuss the limits and potentials of the participation of a variety of State and Non-State Actors in contentious cases and advisory proceedings before the World Court. Despite being accepted and regulated by many courts and tribunals, there remains considerable disagreement within the ICJ with regards to opening its procedure for non-party participation. The research went beyond describing and exemplifying formal avenues of participation and presents a well-founded picture of ICJ contentious and advisory practice. It also addressed other informal avenues of participation by State and non-State actors and their challenges, in order to finally discuss possible alternatives for expanding participation.

Teaching at the XLVII Curso de Derecho Internacional of OAS and engaging in fruitful discussions with numerous enthusiastic students was a delightful experience for Professor Almeida. She extends her gratitude to Luis Toro and Eduardo Parada for extending the invitation to participate in the event.

​

​

On July 13th 2022, the FGV Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence on EU-South America Global Governance, funded by the European Commission, held training course titled "Training Course on Human Rights Litigation: the Case of Reparations before International Courts." The course was conducted by Professor Miriam Cohen from the University of Montreal.

During the course, Professor Cohen provided a comprehensive explanation of the system and dynamics of international reparations before the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice. She effectively illustrated her presentation with concrete case studies, allowing participants to grasp the practical aspects of the topic.

The training course was conducted online via the Zoom platform, providing participants with the opportunity to engage with the subject matter remotely. Through the course, attendees had the privilege to learn about human rights litigation, with a specific focus on the intricate process of seeking reparations before international courts.

Professor Miriam Cohen's expertise and comprehensive knowledge in the field offered valuable insights and practical guidance on navigating the complex landscape of human rights litigation. The course fostered interactive discussions and encouraged participants to critically analyse case studies related to reparations for human rights violations.

On May 27th 2022, the FGV Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence on EU-South America Global Governance, in partnership with the Field Projects "The Normative Legitimacy of the WHO in Brazil" and "Global Security and International Practice," organized an insightful lecture delivered by Professor Emanuele Cimiotta from Sapienza Università di Roma. The lecture delved into the topic of "International Judicial Remedies for/concerning the Ukraine and Russia's armed conflict."

Professor Emanuele Cimiotta, a distinguished scholar with a Ph.D. in International Law and European Union Law from Sapienza Università di Roma (2003), shared his expertise with the audience. He currently holds the positions of Associate Professor of European Union Law (2015) and International Law (2019) at the esteemed university.

The lecture aimed primarily at students enrolled in the EU-South American School on Global Governance. However, a limited number of seats were also made available for the general public to participate in the event. To ensure accessibility, the lecture was transmitted live via the Zoom platform, allowing a wider audience to engage with the topic.

Throughout the presentation, Professor Cimiotta provided a comprehensive analysis of international judicial remedies concerning the ongoing armed conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Attendees had the opportunity to gain insights into the legal mechanisms available to address the complex issues arising from the conflict, with a particular focus on international judicial avenues. 

On November 13, 2019, the FGV Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence on EU-South America Global Governance, in partnership with the European Union Delegation in Brazil and College of Europe, held an international specialized training course on "Trade Agreements Negotiation Exercises". The objective of the course, organized by Professor Paula Wojcikiewicz Almeida, was to promote reflection on the workings of the deliberative and decision-making processes of different European Union entities in the area of regional and inter-regional trade.

The course was led by Professor Alejandro Ribo Labastida, a visiting professor at the College of Europe and MGIMO Institute in Moscow. The course was split into two complementary parts: a presentation about how the European Union’s institutions and deliberative bodies work; and a simulation of a Council of the European Union thematic committee meeting about the regulation of dental drill bits.

The course was offered to students at the EU-South American School on Global Governance and also to undergraduate and graduate students at other higher education institutions, kicking off the activities of the FGV Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence on EU-South America Global Governance.

On November 27, 2019, the FGV Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence on EU-South America Global Governance, in collaboration with the European Union Delegation in Brazil and the College of Europe, hosted an international specialized training course titled "Trade Agreement Legal Aspects: The long and winding road towards the EU-MERCOSUR FTA." The course was guided by Professor Guillaume Van der Loo, researcher at the Ghent European Law Institute.

During the course, Professor Van der Loo provided a comprehensive overview of the internal negotiation procedure, shedding light on the distinctive nature of the EU-Mercosur trade deal and its significant legal and environmental implications. 

The course catered to students enrolled in the EU-South American School on Global Governance, as well as undergraduate and graduate students from other esteemed higher education institutions. This event marked the commencement of the FGV Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence on EU-South America Global Governance's activities.