IHL course for humanitarian practitioners and policy-makers in Geneva – September 2018

Is this training for you?

Are you working with an international or local organization dealing with humanitarian issues on a daily basis? Are you working in a situation of armed conflict and/or regularly confronted to the reality of armed conflicts? Do you have to make decisions that can have a humanitarian impact in the field? And most of all, do you ever wonder what the law really says and what legal tools could help you with your daily tasks?

Then, this international humanitarian law course is definitely for you.

*For information on the French edition of this course, click here.

REGISTER 

Course description

International Humanitarian Law (IHL), is the set of rules that applies in time of any armed conflict and that seeks to protect those that are not or no longer participating in the hostilities. IHL's rules aim to reduce the sufferings those conflict produce and therefore it restricts the use of some methods of warfare and facilitates humanitarian action for actors and agencies engaged in bringing relief to those in need. Therefore, it is highly desirable that humanitarian practitioners and policy makers are familiar with the basic concepts of IHL and how they work in practice.

Organized by the ICRC, this immersive five-day course in international humanitarian law (IHL) is open to senior humanitarian practitioners and policy-makers who wish to become acquainted with the legal framework applicable to armed conflict. Combining theory and practice, the course follows a methodology involving exercises, simulations and discussions based on the actual challenges that humanitarian workers and policy-makers face today. Led by legal practitioners with knowledge of the field, all sessions will focus primarily on concrete examples rather than on pure theory.

Ahead of the on-site course, participants will follow an online training aimed at familiarizing them with the basic rules and principles of IHL.

The course offers an intensive programme, allowing participants to delve into the fundamental aspects of IHL as well as some contemporary legal and operational challenges. As the programme follows a logical structure, participants are expected to be present throughout the course.

Themes covered in the program include:

• Classification of situations of violence and of the actors encountered in armed conflict
• Conduct of hostilities
• Direct participation in hostilities
• Weapons
• IHL and human rights
• Protection of persons deprived of liberty
• Refugees and internal displaced persons
• IHL and armed groups
• Humanitarian assistance
• Mechanisms for the implementation of IHL
• Repressing violations

How to secure yourself a spot?

Interested candidates are asked to complete the registration form before Sunday 1 July 2018, and to upload their resume (max 3 pages) as well as a letter of motivation (max 2 page), both written in English.

Selection criteria

A legal background is not required and the course is open to participants from any country. The following criteria will however be taken into consideration:

• At least five years' working experience in the humanitarian sector (Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, international and local NGOs, state agencies, international organizations and humanitarian donor agencies)
• Experience in working in the field is an asset
• Excellent command of English
• Interest in the work of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement

The results of the selection process will be communicated to all candidates at the beginning of July 2018.

Practical details of the course

Course tuition fees: 500 CHF (Swiss francs)
This sum covers all teaching materials, lunches and breaks throughout the course, the welcoming and closing dinners, as well as some extracurricular activities. Participants are expected to cover the costs of travel and accommodation themselves.

Draft Programme

2018_gva_eng_programme-web.pdf