
LISBON, January 10, 2025 — The Facts and Norms Institute (FNI) and the IURIS Institute of the University of Lisbon successfully held the 2nd Winter Course: Legal Theory, International Law, and Human Rights from January 7th to 10th, 2025, replicating the success of the first edition held in Coimbra.
Hosted by the University of Lisbon, with sessions at the Academy of Sciences and the Portuguese Supreme Court, the event brought together specialists and scholars for an intensive journey of learning and debate.
Opening and Visit to the Lisbon Academy of Sciences
The event began on the morning of Tuesday, January 7th, with a special visit to the Lisbon Academy of Sciences, where the group was welcomed by representatives of this centuries-old institution.

Among historic corridors and rooms filled with valuable works, participants learned about the essential role the Academy plays in the intellectual life of Portugal, reinforcing the interdisciplinary spirit of the course.
After lunch, everyone gathered at the University of Lisbon's Faculty of Law for the introductory session, led by the organizers. The session featured remarks by Professor António Pedro Barbas Homem, partner of Professor Henrique Napoleão Alves in organizing the 2nd Winter Course.
Professor Barbas Homem welcomed participants to the course and provided information about the University of Lisbon and its Master's, Doctoral, and Post-Doctoral programs.


Next, Professor Henrique Napoleão Alves, director of the FNI and lawyer with the Organization of American States (OAS), delivered the lecture "Research and International Advocacy: A Journey at the OAS and the UN (Part 1)", describing his work in legal practice and academia up to his incorporation into the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and the forthcoming creation of his own institute.

The first day concluded with the first round of participant presentations, addressing the insertion of the Public Prosecutor's Office into the Inter-American Human Rights System (Prosecutor Rogério Sanches da Cunha), the jurisprudence of the Inter-American Court on decent work (lawyer Verônica Fonseca de Resende), and the relationship between parliamentary action and fundamental rights (Congressman Carlos Henrique Alves da Silva).



International Law, Technology, and the Philosophy of Human Rights
On Wednesday, January 8th, the discussions intensified. In the morning, Professor Pedro Caridade de Freitas delivered a lecture on "International Law and Human Rights: In particular, the problem of foreigners", stimulating reflections on migration issues and the universal protection of fundamental rights.

Between Professor Pedro Caridade de Freitas's lecture and the next conference, Professor Barbas Homem led the participants to the historic hall that pays tribute to the institution's professors and directors, the Scientific Council Room, featuring works by artists such as João Abel Manta, Maluda, Luís Pinto Coelho, Maria de Lourdes Mello e Castro, Luís Guimarães, Pedro Leitão, Sónia Donário, among others.



Afterwards, Professor Paulo de Sousa Mendes presented a current analysis on "Law in the Face of New Technologies and Artificial Intelligence", exploring the ethical and regulatory challenges that technological innovations pose to the legal world.

Resuming activities in the afternoon, Professor Susana Videira addressed the topic "Liberalism and Social Orientations in the History and Philosophy of Human Rights", providing a historical-philosophical perspective on the pillars that support the modern discourse of rights protection.

The afternoon concluded with the second round of participant presentations, this time focusing on the technological dimension: Professor Nathalia Penha Cardoso de França discussed accountability in International Humanitarian Law in the face of autonomous weapons; researcher Yago Ferreira Freire linked ethics and freedom at the interface between Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights; and lawyer and entrepreneur Dane Marcos Avanzi addressed connectivity, social inclusion, and equity, highlighting the importance of public policies for digital inclusion.



History of Human Rights and Environmental Issues
The third day, Thursday, January 9th, continued with lectures dedicated to the historical basis of human rights. Professor Susana Mourato Alves-Jesus (FDUL) delivered two keynote lectures entitled "History of Human Rights", covering the topic from the earliest philosophical formulations to the most contemporary instruments of protection.

After the lunch break, the audience returned to address topics of great relevance to the current legal landscape. Professors Viriato Soromenho Marques and Paulo Magalhães offered a joint class on "The Environment and Climate Change", emphasizing the history of international environmentalism and the legal, ethical, and social implications of global climate change.


Following this, presentations were given on Law, History, and the Environment: lawyer Fernanda Yumi Masuki proposed reflections on the Precautionary Principle as a guarantee of human rights in the context of environmental disasters; lawyer Vitória Vilas Boas evaluated the bottlenecks of the carbon market in Brazil compared to international experiences; and researcher Eduardo Soares Marques presented a historical-legal study on Father Antônio Vieira, analyzing the influence of the Law of Nations in the Ibero-Brazilian world of the 17th century.



Supreme Court Visit and Closing Ceremony
Friday, January 10th, began with another highlight: a visit to the Supreme Court of Justice (STJ) in Lisbon. There were no trials or other activities; the Supreme Court opened its doors exclusively for the participants of the 2nd Winter Course.
Participants had the opportunity to tour the facilities and attend a keynote lecture in the main hall of the STJ, where they were welcomed by Dr. Gabriela Cunha Rodrigues, judge of the Supreme Court.

Next, still at the STJ, Professor Barbas Homem, professor at the University of Lisbon, lawyer, and former Rector of the European University, delivered the lecture "New Challenges to Legal Theory: From the Constitutional Movement to Judicialization in the Domestic and International Spheres", exploring how the advancement of constitutionalism and the growing importance of International Law are transforming the contemporary legal landscape.

After lunch, Professor Henrique Napoleão Alves continued his presentation from the first day, addressing "Research and International Advocacy: A Journey at the OAS and the UN (Part 2)" and sharing experiences working in multilateral organizations, including 20 different UN mechanisms and the Inter-American human rights system, in addition to studies conducted in the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia.

The program then concluded with its final round of participant research presentations. Topics discussed included the International Protocol on the Documentation and Investigation of Sexual Violence in Conflict (Professor Sami A. R. J. El Jundi) and the construction of a new legal paradigm for the exploration of outer space (Professor Sheila Humphreys), involving both Space Law and International Humanitarian Law.


The closing session and certificate ceremony was led by Professor Eduardo Vera-Cruz (Director of the Faculty of Law at the University of Lisbon). In their closing remarks, the organizers highlighted the inclusive and collaborative atmosphere that characterized the course, thanking the professors, students, and technical staff who worked to make the event a reality.

As a final gesture, the course hosts honored the participants with a Port Wine toast. This traditional toast symbolizes the University's hospitality and celebrates the new friendships formed.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The FNI and University of Lisbon 2nd Winter Course reaffirmed the proposal to integrate academic content, cultural experience, and professional networking, similar to the first edition held in Coimbra in early 2024.
From the Academy of Sciences to the Supreme Court of Justice, from debates on artificial intelligence to the challenges of climate change, the course unfolded under a commitment to broaden horizons, encourage research, and bring together the experiences of professionals and scholars from different parts of Brazil, Portugal, and the world.
At the end of four intense days, the outcome was one of multiple exchanges, new connections, and a solid expectation of new initiatives and partnerships.
The FNI and its partners reiterate their gratitude to all who participated and are already indicating future events dedicated to strengthening human rights, international law, and legal theory.
The Director of FNI, Professor Henrique Napoleão Alves, also extends his special thanks to the tireless members of the organizing team: Sarah Ebram Alvarenga and Thiago Fernandes Carneiro de Castro.
Lisbon bids farewell to this renewed second edition with the certainty that more chapters of this academic and cultural story will soon be written.
The 2nd Winter Course, more than a high-level academic gathering, was a place of happy people. The Facts and Norms Institute thanks each and every participant for their trust and smiles and registers here, not a Goodbye, but a See You Soon!







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