Privacy Policy – Leitner Summer Human Rights Institute

Privacy Notice

Welcome to the Privacy Policy of the Leitner Summer Human Rights Institute (SHRI), a program organized by the Leitner Center for International Law and Justice at Fordham Law School. As a leading summer institute promoting knowledge and practice in international human rights law, SHRI values the privacy and security of all individuals involved with our program, including applicants, faculty members, staff, and all visitors to our website. The SHRI Privacy Policy provides important details regarding our practices in collecting, using, storing, and protecting personal information about you and how we use this information. We do not collect personal information about you except when you provide it voluntarily and knowingly. If you provide such personal information to us (for example, by applying to the program, signing up for a mailing list, or interacting online with us), we will treat that information confidentially. Please review the rest of this policy carefully as it outlines your rights and our responsibilities regarding personal information shared with us.

The Leitner Center Summer Human Rights Institute

The Leitner Summer Human Rights Institute (SHRI) is a two-week certificate program held every summer at Fordham Law School in New York City. Students and human rights professionals from around the world are invited to take part in an intensive program in international human rights law, offered through a hybrid model that allows both onsite and remote participation. SHRI employs prominent faculty to deliver lectures and materials, in addition to providing live seminars in person and online with New York’s human rights community. Upon completion of the program, students receive a Certificate in International Human Rights Law. Our commitment to excellence includes safeguarding the personal information you provide as a member of our global community.

Privacy Policy Scope

This Privacy Policy applies to all personal information collected by SHRI via the internet portal (https://leitnersummerhumanrightsinstitute.org/), email correspondence, application forms, registration portals, and related activities. It also applies to any information collected about program applicants, registered participants, faculty, partner organizations, or others who engage with our program content and services. It further governs any information we collect from third-party server providers on our behalf. By registering or otherwise using the services and/or making use of SHRI’s programs or internet portal, you consent and agree to this Privacy Policy. The following data will be collected:

Information We May Collect

Personal identification details: Name, date of birth, nationality, gender, and contact details (email address, phone number, mailing address).
Educational background and professional experience: Educational records and current institution/employment, professional qualifications, CV/resume, and references.
Application and registration details: Program preferences, application essays, questionnaire answers, and payment details (if applicable).
Communications: Email communication, queries sent to us for help, feedback, and participation in online discussion boards or live sessions.
Technical and usage data: IP address, browser type, device details, access times, referring URL addresses, and details of your usage of our website (collected via cookies and analytics tools).
Special categories: If required, we may need to process sensitive data such as information about dietary or accessibility needs, but only with your explicit consent and only to the extent strictly necessary to enable us to deliver the program.

Use of Information

To manage applications and program registration
To communicate with applicants, participants, faculty, and staff
To support educational programs, including providing participants access to lectures, materials, and discussions
To issue certificates upon satisfactory completion of the program
To address inquiries and meet customer requests
To perform internal analytics and program evaluations to improve our programs
To adhere to legal and regulatory requirements
To share information about SHRI that may be of interest, such as news and updates, newsletters, and other promotional materials (you can opt-out at any time)

We do not process personal information for automated decision-making or profiling beyond administrative purposes for the program.

Legal Grounds for Data Processing

Where participants are from the European Union or other countries with data protection laws, SHRI will process their personal data on the basis of one or more of the following legal grounds:

Explicit consent (for example, if you submit an application or agreement to receive updates)
Necessary for performance of our contract with you (for example, program registration and participation)
Compliance with a legal obligation
Legitimate interests pursued by SHRI (for example, improving our educational services and ensuring the security of our computer systems)

Where participant consent is a basis for processing, participants have the right to withdraw that consent at any time without affecting the lawfulness of processing before withdrawal.

Collection of Information

Directly from you via online application and registration forms
Email communications and attachments
Your engagement with our website, including event registrations and downloadable content
Participation in surveys, feedback forms, or discussion groups/forums
Automated technologies such as cookies and web analytic tools to analyze our website’s usage patterns
In certain instances, we obtain information from third-party channel partners (e.g., an educational institution or reference) with your consent and knowledge

Cookies and Web Analytics

SHRI utilizes cookies and web analytics tools to provide a better experience for our users, assess our website effectiveness, and analyze how visitors interact with our content. Cookies are text files placed on your device that assist us in remembering user settings, operating the website more efficiently, and tailoring content to interests. Analytics services may gather information about your device, and your browsing activity and patterns. You can control cookie settings within your browser. Most browsers can be set to refuse or delete cookies. Please note that you may not be able to use certain websites or functionalities if you do so. For more details, please see our Cookie Policy.

Information Disclosure and Sharing

We treat your personal data with the highest standards of confidentiality. SHRI will not sell or rent your personal data to third parties. SHRI may share such information as necessary for any of the following purposes:

To faculty and administrative staff and educational and program partners that provide education and related support to participants
To Fordham Law School and the Leitner Center for International Law and Justice in order to carry out program administration functions, maintain required records, and aid in evaluation
To service providers that provide functions including payment processing, information technology support, and web hosting, governed by contractual confidentiality obligations
If required by law, court order, or otherwise in order to satisfy applicable legal or regulatory requirements or respond to a request from law enforcement or other government authorities
In the event of a merger, reorganization, or transfer of assets, provided that appropriate privacy protections are afforded the personal data

We require all third-party service providers with access to personal data to comply with strict privacy and data protection standards.

Cross-Border Data Transfers

Considering the global nature of the SHRI program, your personal information could be transferred to, processed, and stored outside of your home country and in the U.S. We take all reasonable measures to ensure that such transfers are in line with applicable data protection laws and to ensure that your personal data is protected, including by use of standard contractual clauses or other appropriate safeguards for transfers of personal data from the European Economic Area (EEA) or other similarly situated jurisdictions.

Data Security

SHRI uses commercially reasonable technical, administrative, and physical safeguards to help protect your personal information from loss or unauthorized disclosure, alteration, or destruction. Examples of these safeguards include:

Secure, encrypted connection (HTTPS) to our website
Password-protected systems and limited access to sensitive information
Regularly conducted security audits and system updates
Staff training on appropriate data protection protocols
Secure storage and timely disposition of legacy records

We strive to use commercially reasonable means to secure your personal information. However, the Internet is not completely secure. Systems can be hacked or compromised, and methods of transmission and storage can be breached. While we do our best, customers should also take steps to protect themselves (e.g., by using strong passwords and keeping log-in credentials confidential).

Retention of Data

SHRI maintains personal information as long as necessary to serve the purpose for which it was collected, including administering programs, certification, complying with the law, and improving the program. Retention is limited by type of data and applicable law. For instance:

Application / registration data: five years following the session of the program to support alumni association and verification
Financial Information: Retained as necessary for compliance with tax and accounting laws (generally 7 years)
Communication / feedback: Retained for up to three years for program development purposes

Information no longer needed will be deleted or made anonymous.

Your Rights and Choices

Depending on where you are located, you may have certain rights in relation to your personal information. These may include:

The right of access and to receive a copy of your personal data
The right to rectification of inaccurate or incomplete personal data
The right of erasure
The right to restrict processing
The right to object to particular processing activities
Where we rely upon your consent, the right to withdraw your consent at any time
In certain circumstances, the right to data portability

If you would like to know more or if you would like to exercise the above rights, please contact us at [email protected]. We will respond to your request in line with the relevant laws. You may also visit our Contact Us page for more information.

Children’s Privacy

SHRI is not designed or intended for children under 16. If we unknowingly collect or solicit personal information from a child under age 16, please contact us at [email protected] immediately, and we will promptly delete such information, as required by law.

SHRI intentionally does not collect non-public information from children under the age of 16.

Third-Party Links & Resources

Our website and program materials may contain links to other websites, resources, or association partners. SHRI is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of these third-party sites. We encourage you to consult the privacy policies of any third-party resources we share before providing personal information. This Privacy Policy only applies to data collected by SHRI.

Information Collected for Marketing Purposes

SHRI may send you information about upcoming symposium programs, events, or research projects that we think would be of interest to you. Such communications will be sent to you only if you have opted in or provided consent. You may choose to unsubscribe from future communications at any time by following the instructions in our emails or by contacting [email protected]. We will not disclose your contact information to third party marketers.

Accessing, Amending, and Deleting Your Information

Your personal data will be kept correct and up to date. Requests to check, change, or update the information can be addressed to: [email protected] or by phone: (832) 939-9983. Identity verification may be necessary prior to allowing access to and/or modification of personal data. Requests will be handled in a timely manner and in compliance with the applicable data protection regulations.

In the Event of a Security Breach

In the event of a data leak affecting the security or confidentiality of your personal data, we will immediately take measures to assess and contain the incident. Subject to any legal requirements, we will promptly notify affected individuals and authorities in accordance with applicable laws, and make available information on the nature of the incident and recommendations for you to protect yourself from any possible adverse consequences. We utilize strong incident response procedures and make every effort to review such procedures and conduct root cause analyses after any security incidents.

International Participants and Privacy

As an institute whose operations span the globe, SHRI welcomes individuals from all countries. We must comply with applicable data protection and other privacy laws in all countries where we offer our services (including but not limited to the GDPR for residents of the EU), and other relevant international guidelines. If you have questions about the processing of your data in your jurisdiction, please contact us to discuss your particular needs.

Faculty and Staff Privacy

SHRI respects the privacy of its honored faculty and staff administrators. Personal information submitted by faculty to SHRI for use in administering a program, payroll purposes, or when building a professional profile will be stored with the same care and security as participant data. Faculty and staff admins may access, modify, or request removal of their personal information, subject to relevant employment and academic policies.

Alumni and Engage Online

Upon completion of the program, SHRI may continue to hold basic contact and participation information with a view to providing alumni services, verification of certificates, notification regarding future programs, or invitations to events or networking opportunities. All alumni correspondence is conducted under this Privacy Policy, and can be opted out from at any time.

Service Providers for Data Storage and Security

We store data on secure servers operated by Fordham Law School and third parties with demonstrable security standards. All data vendors and partners are vetted, contractually bound, and undergo continuous auditing for compliance with our privacy standards.

Record Keeping of Processing Activities

SHRI keeps careful track of all business processing activities such as the categories of data an activity involves, the purposes, the recipients, and retention periods. This helps to ensure accountability and compliance, and enables the appropriate response to data subject requests and/or requests from regulators.

Changes to Our Privacy Policy and Notices

We may from time to time need to update this Privacy Policy due to changes in our practices, legal or regulatory requirements that apply to us, or the programs that we offer. We will publish the current terms on our website with a new effective date reflecting the latest revision date. If we make material changes, we will communicate them via email to registered participants and to our most recent program applicants.

Contacting Us

If you have any questions, comments, or complaints regarding this Privacy Policy or the handling of your personally identifiable information, please contact us at:

Email: [email protected]
Phone number: (832) 939-9983
Physical address: 1500 Louisiana St Ste 11, Houston TX 77002
Website: https://leitnersummerhumanrightsinstitute.org/

Our privacy team will respond to privacy issues and concerns. Privacy requests involving urgent situations should include the subject line “Privacy Inquiry” in the subject line of the communication.

Your Consent

By visiting the Website, submitting an Application, participating in the SHRI program, and/or otherwise submitting Personal Data to us, you are consenting to the collection, use, and processing of that information in accordance with the requirements set out in this Policy. You may withdraw your consent at any time subject to legal or contractual limitations. Notwithstanding your withdrawal of consent, SHRI respects your choices and will never violate your privacy.

Pledge to Privacy and Accountability

At the Leitner Summer Human Rights Institute, we view privacy as more than a legal requirement. As a values-based approach, we are committed to protecting human dignity in all the work we do, including the protection of personal information. This includes our faculty, staff, and partners who are committed to continually improving on the privacy practices set out here and to creating a culture of accountability. We welcome your input and feedback as we continue to strive for excellence in data protection.

(updated June 2019, based on earlier text)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who has access to my personal data?
Only individuals identified by the Summer Human Rights Institute (SHRI) executive staff, faculty, or trusted service providers have access to participant personal information, and only for program-related activities.
Can I have my data deleted after the program?
Yes. Participants may request deletion of their personal information after the program, unless administrative and/or legal requirements (e.g., verification of certificate, etc.) require longer retention.
Does SHRI share my information with sponsors or donors?
No. We do not share personally identifiable participant information with sponsors, donors, or other outside organizations for promotional purposes.
How can I opt out of marketing info being sent to me?
Each email contains an opt-out link, or write to [email protected]
What should I do if I believe there has been unauthorized use of my data?
Write to us at [email protected] or (832) 939-9983. We will investigate the matter and rectify on an urgent basis.

Effective Date

(This Privacy Policy is in effect as of April 1, 2024, and will supersede all prior versions. All users and other visitors who continue to use our website or shri.gov to engage in SHRI activities subsequent to this date will be deemed to have accepted the terms hereof.)