Our 2023 Pictet Team

Benjamin Greenacre is enrolled in our LLM. A British lawyer, formerly part of the UK Royal Marines reserve force, he has lived in Geneva since 2018, working for Human Rights Watch, the Universal Rights Group and then, during the three last years prior to joining us at the Geneva Academy, as a Senior Advisor to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief. Since 2022, Benjamin has also been a consultant expert on digital technology and human rights for the OSCE Office on Democratic Institutions and Human Rights. (OSCE-ODIHR).

‘Getting to grips with a new area of law in a short period of time can be tough. Doing so in such a way as to be able to convincingly negotiate access to the prisoners of a non-state armed group is outright intimidating. There have been many late nights and long discussions on international humanitarian law (IHL) and international human rights law with the team. But I think we would all agree that it is incredible how far we have come in such a short time. For that, I would like to thank our fantastic coach Mina, who has sacrificed many evenings and weekends to give us incredibly thorough practitioner training.’

Anamika Pillai is enrolled in our MTJ. Born in India and raised in Italy, she is a history graduate from University College London and an LLM graduate from BPP Law School. Anamika has extensive legal research experience and has worked at Harvard Law School’s Human Rights Clinic on a project focused on corporate accountability for gross human rights violations. She also has research experience on gender-based crimes and commercial legal experience.

‘I was particularly drawn to Pictet due to the competition’s unique style of simulations, which enables us to engage with IHL in an innovative and realistic manner. Through Pictet, I expect to build the necessary legal and communication skills that will contribute to my long-term career goals of working in the field to support victims of armed conflict-related violations’.

‘The preparation process is fulfilling. Each week, under the guidance of our diligent coach Mina, we expand our knowledge of IHL by engaging in scholarship, debates, practice simulations and much more! I eagerly anticipate applying our collective knowledge, skills and passion for IHL in Albania, very very soon…’.

Rodanthi Violaki is enrolled in our LLM. Coming from Greece, she holds a Bachelor's Degree in Public International Law and International Relations from the Panteion University of Athens and Sciences Po Bordeaux, where she spent a semester. Rodanthi also holds a Master's Degree in International Law and Governance, with a specialization in refugee law, the branch of international law she is passionate about.

Following the humanitarian refugee ‘crisis’ in 2015, Rodanthi dedicated her professional life to the refugee sector, aiming at ensuring the respect and implementation of migrants’ and refugees’ rights. Working as a Refugee Status Determination Officer at the Lesbos refugee camp, or as Head of Mission Assistant at Médecins Sans Frontières, her primary concern and focus has always been to grant asylum to everyone seeking international protection.

‘The preparation for the competition constitutes an amazing learning experience itself. Thanks to the dedication of our coach, we are becoming every week more confident and equipped with extensive knowledge and critical thinking on substantive matters of IHL. We have been introduced to a new dimension of IHL that takes the law out of the books and allows us to see through different layers of interpretation. Undoubtedly, knowing the law in depth, but applying it in a simple and efficient manner has been the most challenging but also most enjoyable part.’