Information

23 January - 11 February 2025
Application start 5 August 2024
Application end 8 December 2024
Fee: 1250 Swiss Francs

Downloads

Flyer >

The Law of International Armed Conflicts – Hague Law

Ukraine, damaged bicycle and car in front of a destroyed building Ukraine, damaged bicycle and car in front of a destroyed building

Descriptive

Besides the law governing the conduct of hostilities, the second main purpose of international humanitarian law (IHL) is to mitigate the human suffering caused by war. This second branch is also known as the law of Geneva. It is, therefore, crucial to carefully study the various rules of IHL that can help to protect vulnerable persons – such as civilians and prisoners of war – as well as goods during armed conflict.

After having followed this online short course, participants will know who the protected persons and goods are and what rules of IHL can be used for their protection in an international armed conflict. An overview of the rules applicable in non-international armed conflicts will also be given.

Online

This is an online short course.

Schedule

Classes will take place online during lunchtime on:

  • Thursday, 23 January 2025, 12:00–14:00 (CET)
  • Friday, 24 January 2025, 12:00–14:00 (CET)
  • Thursday, 30 January 2025, 12:00–14:00 (CET)
  • Friday, 31 January 2025, 12:00–14:00 (CET)
  • Tuesday, 4 February 2025, 12:00–14:00 (CET)
  • Tuesday, 11 February 2025, 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 have 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)
  • A valid copy of your visa or residence permit for candidates wishing to follow the short course in Geneva (only applicants who require a visa to enter the Schengen area).

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

Picture of Robert Kolb

Robert Kolb

Professor of Public International Law at the Law Faculty, University of Geneva

Robert Kolb is a leading expert in international law and international humanitarian law and has published several books and articles on these topics.

Location

Online course

Access

This short course will be conducted online using the ZOOM platform.

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

A Private Afghan Security Company technical armed with a DShK heavy machine gun sits along the side of a road. U.S.Forces stopped this security company's convoy due to reports from locals claiming that the security company had been shooting sporadic gunfi News

The Involvement of Mercenaries and Private Military Security Companies in Armed Conflicts: What does IHL Say?

9 November 2021

Several armed conflicts classified in our RULAC online portal see the participation of mercenaries or private military security companies alongside states’ armed forces. Dr Chiara Redaelli, in charge of RULAC and an expert in IHL, answers our questions regarding what IHL says about this phenomenon.

Read more

A session of the PhD Forum News

The PhD Forum: Promoting Exchanges Among Peers

18 April 2024

The Geneva Academy PhD Forum is a space that gathers PhD researchers and experts – in Geneva and beyond – who work in the scientific focus area of the Geneva Academy.

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

Screenshot of the RULAC webpage Project

Rule of Law in Armed Conflicts (RULAC)

Started in May 2007

The Rule of Law in Armed Conflicts project (RULAC) is a unique online portal that identifies and classifies all situations of armed violence that amount to an armed conflict under international humanitarian law (IHL). It is primarily a legal reference source for a broad audience, including non-specialists, interested in issues surrounding the classification of armed conflicts under IHL.

Read more