New research commissioned by ICRC as part of the Our world. Your move. campaign sheds light on the experiences of people living with armed conflict. Article published in the Red Cross Red Crescent Magazine, No 2, 2009.

As part of the Our world. Your move. campaign the ICRC has carried out different quantitative (statistical) and qualitative (personal interviews and focus groups) research initiatives designed to give a voice to the world's most vulnerable people and raise awareness of the plight of civilians living in situations of armed conflict and violence.

A large majority of people surveyed across eight countries say there should be limits to what combatants are allowed to do in the course of fighting, and that civilians should be left alone. However, less than half of those surveyed were aware of the Geneva Conventions and among them, only a thin majority believe the Conventions limit the suffering of civilians during wartime. These facts were revealed by the latest findings of an ICRC survey "Our world. Views from the field," published to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Geneva Conventions.

To raise awareness of the impact of armed conflict or other situations of armed violence on civilians, the ICRC has launched a vast research programme. This research focused on some of the most troubled places in the world – the Solferinos of today – which are either experiencing situations of armed conflict or armed violence or suffering their aftermath: Afghanistan, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Georgia, Haiti, Lebanon, Liberia and the Philippines. All reports in PDF.

A survey by the Gallup International Association at the end of 2008 included questions about people’s awareness of the Geneva Conventions and about how effective they thought the Conventions were. Just over half the respondents had heard of the Conventions, and just under half of those thought the Conventions were reasonably effective in limiting civilian suffering during wartime.

A survey conducted for the ICRC by Gallup International, October 2008-January 2009

As part of the Our world. Your move. campaign marking the 150th anniversary of the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement, the ICRC has commissioned research into the experiences and opinions of civilians coping with armed conflict and violence in eight countries. Eros Bosisio, who coordinated the research, describes his experiences in Colombia.

Background, Facts and Figures – June 2009

This week, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is marking 150 years since the Battle of Solferino, which is where the idea of Red Cross was born. The ICRC is also publishing the results of a major survey looking at "today’s Solferinos" and their impact on civilians. According to the organization's director of operations, Pierre Krähenbühl, a lot has changed over the past century and a half in the way wars are fought and how people are affected.

The phenomenon of war, the place it has in the culture of mankind and the behaviour of combatants in war are all closely examined in this study commissioned by the ICRC. Through this bibliographical overview of the historical, sociological and psychological investigations used in the study, we learn of the origins of the need for limits in war and gain an insight into the situations which give rise to violations of international humanitarian law.

Intended to challenge many pre-conceived ideas about the factors that influence the behaviour of combatants, the study examines the various strategies that the ICRC pursues, especially in the area of communication, to ensure that humanitarian law is better known, accepted and respected. Importantly, in this time of intense public debate about the behaviour of the military in contexts such as Iraq and Afghanistan, this study helps to define the future direction of preventive activities.

To mark the 50th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions on 12 August 1999, the ICRC launched the "People on War" project, a worldwide consultation on the rules to limit violence in warfare. The results of this study have been compiled in country reports and also in a general report. A parallel research programme undertaken outside the ICRC is also available.

To mark the 60th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions on 12 August, the ICRC conducted an opinion survey in eight countries affected by armed conflict and violence. According to the ICRC's deputy director of communication, Charlotte Lindsey, the newest findings indicate that an overwhelming majority of people agree that even wars should have limits, but far fewer are aware that rules on warfare already exist.

To mark the 60th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions, the ICRC conducted an opinion survey in eight countries affected by armed conflict. The newest findings indicate that an overwhelming majority of people agree that even wars should have limits, but far fewer are aware that rules on warfare already exist. The research results are illustrated here by award-winning photographers from the VII photo agency.

The dissemination of international humanitarian law has long been a priority for the ICRC, and many National Societies are also active in its promotion. But is it really possible to influence those who, directly or indirectly, are actors in war? Are there ways to change their perceptions and behaviour? A recent ICRC study attempted to find some answers - Article published in the Red Cross Red Crescent Magazine, No 2, 2004

2007 Country report: Great Britain. 30th anniversary of the Additional Protocols.

Under the guidance of Greenberg Research Inc., ICRC staff and Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers carried out the People on War project in 12 war-torn countries, conducting in-depth, face-to-face interviews, group discussions and national public opinion surveys.

The ICRC and the University of Geneva held a three-day conference in September 2004 to bring together academics from around the world to discuss armed conflict and associated humanitarian issues and to highlight social-psychological aspects such as collective violence, inter-group identities, victimisation and reconciliation.