Event information

24 September 2018, 18:00-20:00

Downloads

Flyer >

Utility and Limits of International Law for Protecting Persons Affected by Armed Conflict

Event

Elisabeth Decrey Warner in discussion with representatives of armed non-state actors Elisabeth Decrey Warner in discussion with representatives of armed non-state actors

In this opening lecture of the 2018–2019 academic year, Elisabeth Decrey Warner will share her experience, as Co-Founder and Former Executive President of Geneva Call, of promoting respect of international humanitarian law by armed non-state actors (ANSAs).

She will notably discuss the utility of international law, not only in light of its substance but also of its implementation and respect by the international community. Starting from the Geneva Call’s ground-breaking approach to develop an inclusive process towards ANSAs, she will also highlight that the limits of international law are not engraved in stone but are in our minds, habits, or fears to develop and invent new ideas.

About Elisabeth Decrey Warner

Elisabeth Decrey Warner co-founded Geneva Call in 1998 and served as its Executive President until joining the Board in 2018 as its Honorary President. Prior to this, she has been working with several NGOs on issues related to refugees, disarmament and humanitarian norms. She was also a member of the Parliament of the Republic and Canton of Geneva for 12 years and was elected its President in 2000.

She has been recognized internationally for her outstanding contribution to peace. She was nominated for Switzerland as one of 1000 Women for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005. Among her many awards, she received the highest recognition in France, Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur, an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Geneva and the Hessian Peace Prize in Germany.

She is currently an Associate Fellow at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP).

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

Natasha Floodgate, Geeta Mahapatra, and Thijs van der Horst News

Our 2025 Pictet Team

20 January 2025

Natasha Floodgate, Geeta Mahapatra, and Thijs van der Horst will represent the Geneva Academy at the 47th edition of the Jean-Pictet Competition that will take place in Denpasar, Indonesia, from 22 February to 1 March 2025.

Read more

Mô Bleeker News

UNSG Special Adviser Mô Bleeker Becomes Senior Fellow at the Geneva Academy

15 April 2025

Mô Bleeker, UNSG Special Adviser on the Responsibility to Protect, shares how her work as Senior Fellow at the Geneva Academy contributes to our shared goals.

Read more

Warzone Event

Advanced IHL Seminar for Academics and Policymakers

25-29 August 2025, 09:00-17:30

Co-hosted with the ICRC, this event aims to enhance the capacity of academics to teach and research international humanitarian law, while also equipping policymakers with an in-depth understanding of ongoing legal debates.

Read more

A session of the UN Human Rights Council Project

IHL Expert Pool

Started in January 2022

The IHL-EP works to strengthen the capacity of human rights mechanisms to incorporate IHL into their work in an efficacious and comprehensive manner. By so doing, it aims to address the normative and practical challenges that human rights bodies encounter when dealing with cases in which IHL applies.

Read more

A destroyed camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Khor Abeche, South Darfur, Project

Understanding the Relationship between Conflict, Security and the Human Right to a Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment

Started in May 2023

This project will develop guidance to inform security, human rights and environmental debates on the linkages between environmental rights and conflict, and how their better management can serve as a tool in conflict prevention, resilience and early warning.

Read more

Cover Page of Research Brief Publication

Navigating Pathways Toward Transitional Justice in Ukraine

published on October 2024

Robin van der Lugt, Chhime Namdol Sherpa

Read more

Cover of the 2023 Geneva Academy Annual Report Publication

Annual Report 2023

published on July 2024

Read more