This intensive, practice-oriented course simulates the ongoing intergovernmental negotiations on the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) annex to the WHO Pandemic Agreement. It is designed for Master's students from diverse disciplines who will form State Delegations and stakeholder teams.
After independent research, team strategy, and three online progress meetings, they take part in a two-day, in-person mock negotiation reflecting current negotiation dynamics, including contractual arrangements, benefit-sharing, laboratory networks, and governance. Using the latest draft texts, students develop legally sound, politically feasible proposals. The interdisciplinary design combines legal, public health, life sciences, and social science expertise, building negotiation, drafting, and diplomatic communication skills in a multicultural setting.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Explain the structure, objectives, and key legal and policy issues of the PABS annex within the WHO Pandemic Agreement framework.
- Develop and defend a coherent national or stakeholder position on selected PABS issues, grounded in international law, public health evidence, and political economy considerations.
- Negotiate effectively in a multilateral setting, including forming coalitions, trading across issues, proposing compromise text, and managing time and procedure.
- Collaborate across disciplines and cultures, integrating legal, scientific, economic, and ethical perspectives into negotiation strategy and outcomes.
- Reflect critically on the strengths and limitations of the PABS system as a tool for pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response, and on the broader politics of global health law-making.
Admission to the course
- Enrolment in a master’s programme (any discipline) at a Circle U. university at the time of the course.
- Demonstrated interest in at least one of the following areas: international law, global health, public health, life sciences, biotechnology, international relations, political science, economics, or ethics.
- Strong written and spoken English (the negotiation and all materials will be in English).
- Willingness to work in a team and to engage with technical, legal and scientific materials.
Application documents (to be submitted by the deadline):
- CV (max. 2 pages)
- Short motivation statement (max. 300 words) explaining:
- Why the student wishes to participate
- Relevant background (courses, research, internships, or experience related to global health, public health, international law, or negotiation)
Selection will prioritise disciplinary diversity, geographic balance across Circle U. universities, and a mix of legal and non-legal backgrounds to ensure realistic and rich negotiations.
Selection announcements are expected in late January 2027.
Examination
Grading is based on a combination of preparation, performance in the negotiation and reflective output. It will be based on a preparation file (individual, 30%); contribution to the meetings and performance in the mock negotiation (team-based, but with individual component, 50%); a short reflective note (individual, 20%).
Contact
For questions related to funding, ECTS recognition, mobility, or other course-related matters, please contact the Circle U. office at your home university:
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Aarhus University: aarhus@circle-u.eu
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University of Belgrade: Nikola Savić – nikola.savic@rect.bg.ac.rs
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Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin: circle-u.mobility@hu-berlin.de
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King’s College London: circle-u@kcl.ac.uk (Erasmus+ funding not available; internal funding may apply)
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UCLouvain: infocircleu@uclouvain.be
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University of Oslo: oslo@circle-u.eu
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Université Paris Cité: circleu.iro@u-pariscite.fr and on our website
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University of Pisa: circleU.erasmus@unipi.it
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University of Vienna: circleu-mobility@univie.ac.at
