Changing World, Unchanged Protection? 70 Years of the Geneva Conventions

Seventy years on, the Geneva Conventions are much more than a legacy, or simply something to be proud of and commemorate. A lot has been achieved since 1949...But much more needs to be done...

Read the full version of President's address at the Graduate Institute, below.

View the address

Background

The four Geneva Conventions of 1949 have existed to protect people for seven decades. From ensuring that a wounded person is allowed through a checkpoint, to allowing detainees to send messages to their families, they preserve the core of common humanity in the midst of conflict. During such instances, it is clear that respect for international humanitarian law (IHL) is possible, and that its implementation makes a meaningful difference.

At the same time, violations of IHL persist, causing devastating and unacceptable humanitarian consequences. Constant efforts are needed to ensure that IHL guarantees the protection of victims in today’s complex armed conflicts and remains relevant in a changing world.

This event launched the GC70 programme, marking 70 years of the Geneva Conventions, with a discussion that reflected on the successes and challenges to respecting IHL. 

This event was jointly organised with the Graduate Insitute of International and Development Studies.