UNITAR – United Nations Immersion Programme – Alliance Française de La Haye

UNITAR – UNITED NATIONS IMMERSION PROGRAMME

Programme dates

UNITAR
11^th to 15^th of August 2025

Language training
2 weeks before or 2 weeks after The Hague Immersion Programme

PROGRAMME DURATION

UNITAR
5-day immersive programme in The Hague

Language training
2 hours per day, Monday to Friday

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LOCATION

UNITAR
The Hague

Language training
Online

Contacts

Alliance Française de La Haye:
070 362 1523
info@aflahaye.nl

PROGRAMME LANGUAGES

UNITAR and Language Training: French

DISCOVER THE INNER WORKINGS OF THE UNITED NATIONS IN THE HAGUE WITH SPECIALIZED TRAINING

Immerse yourself in the world of international diplomacy with a unique 5-day programme in The Hague, the renowned city of peace and justice. Organized in partnership with the Alliance Française de La Haye and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), this intensive programme offers an insider’s experience of leading international legal institutions.

Take part in exclusive visits (ICJ, ICC, IRMCT, etc.), attend high-level lectures, sharpen your skills through negotiation and mediation workshops, and benefit from specialized French language training (legal and diplomatic), delivered by the Alliance Française de La Haye.

Whether you are a student, young professional, or considering a career change, this programme is a unique opportunity to gain practical knowledge, expand your international network, and experience professional immersion within the UN system.

Official certification provided. Groups of 20 to 30 participants. On-site training for institutional immersion; language training delivered online.

UNITAR and Alliance Française

The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) was established in 1963 as an autonomous body within the UN system, with the mission of enhancing the effectiveness of the work of the United Nations and its Member States. Each year, UNITAR delivers over 500 training activities and events to more than 50,000 beneficiaries worldwide. Participants include diplomats, senior officials, NGO representatives, and other professionals involved in international cooperation. At the heart of UNITAR, the Division for Multilateral Diplomacy provides training workshops tailored to the needs of international actors.

The Alliance Française de La Haye is a language and cultural centre specialized in teaching French as a foreign language. Based in The Hague, it is part of the Fondation des Alliances Françaises, a global network of 829 branches dedicated to promoting French language and culture, as well as promoting diversity and intercultural dialogue.

Participants wishing to join UNITAR’s Immersion Programme in The Hague may register directly via our website (click the “Register” button above) and receive complementary training in legal and diplomatic French, delivered by the Alliance Française. This 20-hour course is specifically designed to strengthen the French language skills of participants working in multilateral diplomatic environments. Through this joint initiative, the two institutions offer participants a unique opportunity for immersion in UN institutions while developing proficiency in French, the international language of diplomacy.

Included Activities

Home to over 200 international organisations such as the International Court of Justice, the International Criminal Court, and Europol, The Hague is known as the international city of peace and justice. Tens of thousands of people from around the world work here every day to build a fairer and more peaceful world. In partnership with several international organisations, UNITAR’s UN Immersion Programme offers participants a 5-day field visit including the following activities:

EXPERT LECTURES

UNITAR’s professional network in The Hague enables the organisation of 1-2-hour lectures led by experts, where participants learn directly from UN staff and other senior officials. These sessions are delivered by organisations such as:

The International Court of Justice (ICJ)
The International Criminal Court (ICC)
The International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT)
The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)

TRAINING WORKSHOPS

As a core component of the programme, UNITAR offers several in-person workshops led by selected experts, including former ambassadors. Topics include:

Negotiation skills
Mediation skills
Simulation exercises

GUIDED TOURS

Thanks to its presence within The Hague’s institutions, UNITAR offers guided tours of:

The Peace Palace
The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY)
The Hague Municipality
The Hague Humanity Hub

PUBLIC HEARING SESSIONS

Where possible, UNITAR provides access to public hearings at various international courts in The Hague. These may include sessions at:

The International Court of Justice (ICJ)
The International Criminal Court (ICC)

CULTURAL ACTIVITIES

To enrich your experience, one cultural activity is included, giving you the opportunity to discover The Hague and Dutch culture:

Welcome dinner on the beach
Excursion to Scheveningen: explore The Hague’s charming coastal district
Canal cruise: discover the city from a different perspective while enjoying its beauty

Language Training

In addition to expert lectures and visits to the UN’s legal institutions, UNITAR’s field visit also includes specialized French language training for specific purposes (FOS) in legal and diplomatic contexts, delivered by the Alliance Française de La Haye. This programme offers participants the opportunity to strengthen their French skills, an official working language and essential asset for accessing a wide range of positions within the United Nations system.

This programme takes place over two weeks, either before or after participants’ arrival in The Hague, according to their preference.

The table below outlines the structure of the summer course in diplomatic and legal French, designed specifically for participants. As participants are based across different time zones worldwide, the course is delivered online. Five different groups are formed in accordance with CEFR guidelines: A1+, A2+, B1, B1+, B2, and C1. Students will be assigned to their appropriate level based on a placement test conducted before the start of the course by the Alliance Française de La Haye. The registration deadline is set for 3 July. A certificate of completion is issued by the Alliance Française at the end of the course, subject to participants attending at least 70% of the sessions, actively engaging in learning activities, and achieving a final score of at least 70%.

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Dates	2 weeks before the immersion programme OR 2 weeks after
Class	A1+	A2+	B1	B1+	B2	C1
Required level	Advanced A1	Advanced A2	Confirmed A2	Advanced B1	Confirmed B1	Confirmed B2
Schedule	11:00 am – 1:00 pm (Amsterdam timezone, UTC + 2)				01:30 pm – 3:30 pm (Amsterdam timezone, UTC + 2)
Hours total	20 hours

Objectives

UNITAR has designed a training programme that offers participants full immersion in the international legal ecosystem and multilateral working environment of The Hague. The main goal of this programme is to enhance participants’ knowledge and skills in diplomacy and international affairs, enabling them to work more effectively in a multilateral context.

UNITAR also aims to strengthen participants’ commitment to the principles enshrined in the UN Charter, particularly those of peace and justice. Finally, the programme seeks to provide participants with privileged access to UN institutions and staff, offering them valuable insights and perspectives for future careers within the United Nations.

By the end of the programme, participants will be able to:

Explain key concepts of the UN system, its agencies, and mechanisms
Gain familiarity with The Hague as the city of peace and justice
Apply core skills and techniques in international organizations
Develop critical knowledge for careers in international organizations
Embrace the principles and values enshrined in the United Nations Chart and apply them in diplomatic missions

LANGUAGE OBJECTIVES

As one of the official languages of the United Nations and many other international organisations, French is a key language for law and diplomacy. By combining the UN Immersion Programme in The Hague with the Alliance Française’s legal and diplomatic French training, participants will strengthen their professional French skills to better meet the linguistic requirements of international careers.

Methodology

UNITAR’s training sessions promote interactivity and active participation. They combine theory and practice to provide a dynamic learning experience.

The programme is built around learning the key concepts of international institutions, engaging in role-play exercises to simulate negotiations and conflict resolution, exchanging experiences with diplomats and experts, and analysing real-world case studies from current international affairs and courts.

Sessions will be conducted primarily in French, with simultaneous interpretation available if needed.

Targeted Audience

This programme is intended for anyone interested in international relations, international law, human rights, humanitarian affairs, or sustainable development, and who wishes to strengthen their skills in diplomatic French. It is particularly well-suited for:

Students in law, political science, or international relations
Young professionals seeking to develop skills in diplomacy and international affairs management
Public- or private-sector professionals involved in international projects or aiming to work within UN institutions

For more information, please visit the UNITAR website and the UN Immersion Programme in The Hague.
For any questions or additional information, please contact UNITAR’s Division for Multilateral Diplomacy at: multilateralism@unitar.org
For details regarding the French language training, you may contact the Alliance Française The Hague at: info@aflahaye.nl