Lights, Camera, Helga! The history of Porto’s HPMCC Regional Round
Three years after ELSA Portugal had ventured itself into hosting the, at that time called, European Human Rights Moot Court Competition, organising a European Regional Round of the 22nd Edition of the John H. Jackson Moot Court Competition last year, became a reality. A few days after the end of this Regional Round, the application to be Hosts of the 13th Edition of Helga Pedersen Moot Court Competition was sent. What’s there to know about being a Regional Round Organiser (and what makes us so keen about it)? We’ll tell you!
The Best Team of the Regional Round in Porto
The Backstage Work
Once ELSA Portugal was appointed as a Regional Round Organiser, the initial meeting with the Vice President in charge of Competitions of the International Board took place at the beginning of August. With a newly elected board and a recently established Organising Committee, it was time to commence the work.
The Heads - Skeleton of a Regional Round
The initial steps involved securing Judges and Sponsors. To this end, we dedicated our efforts to researching specialists in Human Rights, including lawyers, judges, and academics, as well as identifying law firms and organisations that might be interested in supporting such projects and could fulfill the positions of Financial Partners, Logistical Partners and F&B Partners.
Hours of research developed into a series of meetings to promote our project, scheduling emails (and the receipt of rejections), and the continuous pursuit of alternative solutions, all while maintaining our determination and perseverance.
In this regard, we are proud to state that by the beginning of November, our sponsorships were secured and the list of confirmed judges was nearly finalised!
Our key advice would be to compile a list that is as broad and extensive as possible, ensuring that for every rejection received, there are at least five alternative options available!
The next step involved identifying suitable venues to host the Competition and preparing a comprehensive Participants' Guide, designed to provide our esteemed participants with valuable insights, ensuring that they felt at home in Porto throughout the three-day event.
While the quality standards the venues must meet constitute one of the primary criteria in the selection process, we set ourselves an additional challenge: to create the most dynamic environment possible for our participants. Our aim was not only to familiarise them with the facilities of a Portuguese university but also to provide them with the opportunity to experience a Portuguese court firsthand - and so we did.
Although it may not be as engaging as the aforementioned aspects, a Regional Round is only viable through strict financial responsibility, the meticulous preparation of numerous draft budgets, an organised system of invoicing and close contact with Teams. Apart from the Participation Fees that will give you the financial freedom to organise a Regional Round, Partners will be your best friends! In this matter, we can advise you to plan ahead, always have a backup plan (even a plan C and D if necessary) and draft your budget, taking into consideration an amount in case of emergencies.
“Our key advice would be to compile a list that is as broad and extensive as possible, ensuring that for every rejection received, there are at least five alternative options available!”
The Organising Committee of the Regional Round
The Marketing - More than just promotion
A Regional Round is not just about logistics and the practical work involved to make this project happen - it’s also about creating a unique and memorable identity. That’s where marketing comes in. From the very start, our goal was to develop a strong brand for the Regional Round Porto, one that reflected both the prestige of the competition and the vibrant spirit of our city.
Our Vice President in charge of Marketing led the way in crafting a visual identity that blended the essence of Porto with the professionalism and excellence of the Helga Pedersen Moot Court Competition. To ensure consistency, we, of course, followed the HPMCC Marketing Guidelines for all required materials, including social media visuals, participant guides and banners - maintaining a sleek and professional look in line with the competition’s standards.
But branding wasn’t limited to digital promotion - it extended into the physical experience of the event. One of the highlights was the custom-designed tote bags, which featured a minimalistic one-line illustration of Porto’s skyline, merging tradition with modernity. These tote bags, along with other items from our Sponsors, allowed participants to take a meaningful piece of the competition home - a lasting reminder of their journey in Porto.
Marketing, in the end, is not just about visibility - it’s about storytelling. Every visual element, every branded item, and every promotional effort told the story of a competition that was as rigorous as it was welcoming, as prestigious as it was unforgettable.
The Competition - Oh, all those months passed already?!
With a solid foundation in place, February soon arrived, and we had the pleasure of welcoming our dear participants.
The first day, while characterised by the Registration and Opening Ceremony, holds an even more engaging aspect. As tradition dictates, Regional Round Organisers can provide an initial Academic Programme for the participants. Considering that the topic of Helga is Human Rights, we could not choose any other topic for it than the Annual Human Rights Topic: "Human Rights and Criminal Justice"! Diving into Comparative International Protection of Human Rights Law, where the participants got a glimpse of the systems of Human Rights protection around the world, to Criminal Justice and Gender, approaching the main principles of protection against discrimination at the national, European, and international levels as well as some curious (to say the least!) decisions of Portuguese courts regarding crimes against women, to a perfect ending: a roundtable on the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court, questioning our panel on whether the jurisdiction of this court should be expanded or remain as it is today.
The following two days were dedicated to Pleadings, held at the University in the morning and at the Court in the evening. While the tension in the hallways was palpable, the atmosphere remained lively, with moments of laughter and photographs taken at our event banner during the Coffee Breaks, an opportunity not only for relaxation but also for valuable networking between Teams and Judges.
Which moments can we share with you to truly capture the significance of this Competition that extends far beyond being a mere participant/organiser?
One such moment was our first-night dinner, a gathering filled with the vibrant spirit of cultural exchange. It was marked by the musical performances of two academic groups from the Faculty of Law of the University of Porto, known in Portugal as Tunas, and, as if drawn together by the rhythm of the moment, participants and performers alike took to the dance floor, bringing our cherished motto of cultural diversity to life in the most joyous and spontaneous way!
We also hold dear in our hearts the memory of the Closing Ceremony. While the final rankings are of great significance to every team, the resounding applause and shared joy in witnessing others achieve success create an atmosphere of gratitude and fellowship that touches everyone present. To conclude this special moment with a heartfelt gesture, we were delighted to surprise our participants with a complimentary Celebration Cake, spreading warmth and joy with every slice.
The Post Competition - Feeling of duty done - and done well!
Looking back at our Regional Round, we couldn’t be prouder of our work. Every long hour spent brainstorming, every email sent, and every kilometer traveled led to an unforgettable experience that will stay with us for years to come. Beyond the logistics and meticulous planning, what truly defined this journey was the sense of camaraderie, growth, and shared passion for Human Rights Law. From witnessing the inspiring advocacy skills of our participants to fostering lasting connections between teams, judges, and organisers, this event was more than just a competition—it was a celebration of dedication and excellence.
As we close this chapter, we carry forward invaluable lessons, friendships, and the motivation to continue contributing to the Competitions community. Until the next challenge –see you in court!
by Inês Ribeiro, Ana Beatriz Franco, Rodrigo Prelhaz & Sílvia Nemchuk
