Information

21 March - 19 April 2024
Application start 20 August 2023
Application end 7 March 2024
Fee: 1250 Swiss Francs

The Implementation of International Humanitarian Law

Côte d'Ivoire,  Abidjan, military instruction center in Akandjé. An ICRC dissemination session on international humanitarian law for the 1st bataillon of commando paratroopers. Côte d'Ivoire,  Abidjan, military instruction center in Akandjé. An ICRC dissemination session on international humanitarian law for the 1st bataillon of commando paratroopers.

Descriptive

This short course will delve into one of the most challenging and important aspects of international humanitarian law (IHL) – its implementation in practice. It will cover the ‘nuts and bolts’ of implementation, including national legislation, dissemination and training, and discuss the mechanisms such as the International Fact-Finding Commission, as set out in the treaties. However, it will also explore challenges of implementation and challenge students to think critically and creatively about how to make IHL – a body of law considered by some to be ‘at the vanishing point of international law’ – work in practice.

Online

This is an online short course.

Schedule

Classes will take place online during lunchtime on:

  • Thursday, 21 March 2024, 12:00–14:00 (CET)
  • Friday, 22 March 2024, 12:00–14:00 (CET)
  • Tuesday, 09 April 2024, 12:00–14:00 (CET)
  • Wednesday, 10 April 2024, 12:00–14:00 (CET)
  • Thursday, 18 April 2024, 12:00–14:00 (CET)
  • Friday, 19 April 2024, 12:00–14:00 (CET)

Audience

This short course forms part of the Geneva Academy Executive Master in International Law in Armed Conflict. It is open to professionals – diplomats, lawyers, legal advisers, judges, NGO staff, human rights advocates, media specialists, professionals working in emergency situations, UN staff and staff from other international organizations – who are not enrolled in the Executive Master and who want to deepen their expertise in this specific issue.

Fee

The fee for this short course is 1,250 Swiss Francs. In case of cancellation by the participants, CHF 200 won't be returned.

Certificate

Participants obtain a certificate at the end of the course (no ECTS credits are gained).

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted via this online form.

Your application will need to include:

  • A short motivation letter (no more than one page)
  • Your curriculum vitae
  • Proof of your competence in English (a certificate or statement highlighting your solid background in English)
  • Once admitted to the course, participants receive instructions on how to pay. Proof of payment is required before you begin the course.

Professor and Lecturer

Portrait of Lindsey Cameron

Lindsey Cameron

Head of Thematic Legal Advisers, Legal Division, International Committee of the Red Cross

Lindsey Cameron has published a number of books and articles on international humanitarian law. 

Location

Online course

Access

The course will be conducted online using the ZOOM platform.

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

Portrait of Giada Rubino News

Executive Master in International Law in Armed Conflict: What Participants Say

4 April 2023

Giada Rubino follows our online Executive Master in International Law in Armed Conflict while working as a Human Rights Associate at OHCHR in Colombia.

Read more

Destroyed Building during the 2008 War News

Georgia-Abkhazia: The Predominance of Irreconcilable Positions

19 October 2018

The War Report article Georgia-Abkhazia: The Predominance of Irreconcilable Positions presents an overview of the Georgia-Abkhaz conflict, its humanitarian implications, as well as the main actors involved.

Read more

Event

Strengths and Challenges of Inter-State Applications Before the European Court of Human Rights

22 May 2025, 18:30-20:00

In this Geneva Academy Talk Judge Lətif Hüseynov will discuss the challenges of inter-State cases under the ECHR, especially amid rising conflict-related applications.

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

Iraq, Mosul. View of the west bank after the war. Project

IHL in Focus

Started in January 2024

As a yearly publication, it keeps decision-makers, practitioners and scholars up-to-date with the latest trends and challenges in IHL implementation in over 100 armed conflicts worldwide – both international and non-international.

Read more

A computer graphic simulation of a Future Protected Vehicle Project

Autonomous Weapon Systems under International Humanitarian and Human Rights Law

Completed in January 2015

This project examined the legal requirements that the use of autonomous weapon systems would need to comply with in a number of scenarios envisaged by proponents of increasing autonomy in weapon systems.

Read more