How We Work

ICRC

Training Experts and Practitioners

Our three master’s programmes and various training and short courses disseminate legal knowledge in international humanitarian law (IHL), international human rights law and transitional justice. Our teaching enables specialists to apply these legal frameworks to complex situations – Afghanistan, Central African Republic, Colombia, Iraq, Syria – and challenging processes such as criminal proceedings, political transitions, international negotiations and humanitarian interventions.

Informing Policy

Our research examines issues that are under-explored, need clarification or are unconventional, experimental or challenging. It thus advances understanding and stimulates debate in the academic community and in policy-making institutions and government. The findings of our research regularly inform policy recommendations and support practitioners working on issues such as IHL, human rights (HR) or transitional justice.

Our Convening Power

The Geneva Academy regularly convenes expert meetings, seminars, conferences and events. This provides a critical and scholarly forum for experts and practitioners to discuss and debate topical issues in IHL, HR and transitional justice. For example, the right to life, the duty to investigate, reparations for past mass crimes, new trends and developments in international law in armed conflict or the work of United Nations HR mechanisms.

Promoting Diversity

We are committed to promoting diversity in all respects: cultural diversity, diversity in the geographical origin of students, staff and speakers, as well as generational, linguistic and gender diversity. We pursue this in our various activities and via different measures.