IHL Summer School 2024

INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS
AND
MASTER OF LAWS PROGRAM OF THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF ARMENIA

 Regional International Humanitarian Law

Summer School 2024

Dates

8-13 July 2024

Format

Face-to-face

Hosting institution and platform

  • American University of Armenia, LL.M. Program

What is the Regional Summer School?

The Regional Summer School is a weeklong certificate course on International humanitarian law (IHL) organized jointly by the American University of Armenia (AUA), LL.M. Program and the Delegation of International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Yerevan, Armenia.

This long-established joint program provides a unique opportunity for participants from the region and beyond to enhance knowledge of IHL while expanding professional networks. The upcoming event will delve into the vital role of IHL in addressing the multitude of challenges arising from armed conflicts worldwide.

This year, the summer school is organized in commemoration of two important dates, the 75th anniversary of the four 1949 Geneva Conventions (GC75) and the 160th anniversary of adoption of the First Geneva Convention of 1864.

The feedback of previous summer schools shows that after successful completion of the program the attendees orientate themselves better in IHL field, elaborate and strengthen their trust on the importance of IHL and ICRC for the protection of those affected by the armed conflicts in the most severe way.

This weeklong summer school on IHL is an intensive course designed for not only experienced lawyers with a knowledge of international law, but also for academics and students with an interest in developing a deeper understanding of the subject area. Given the fact that the course is relatively short prospective participants are supposed to already have a sound knowledge of IHL principles and rules and be able to apply them.

In addition, the summer school invites applications from advanced students and professionals from governmental and non-governmental organizations who encounter tasks and challenges within the realm of international humanitarian law and its relevant applications.

The course will be open to participants from Eurasia region. The working language of the summer school is English.

Why is this Summer School needed?

Unfortunately, wars remain a reality of our world, which has made the IHL one of the most developed and still developing branches of the public international law.  The IHL protects persons who do not or no longer participate in hostilities and puts limits to the means and methods of warfare.

The knowledge of IHL is,

  • an essential asset for those working in countries affected by an armed conflict, and for those interested in or already working for international humanitarian organizations or in other related fields;
  • the prerequisite of its respect: the more practicing lawyers, politicians, advanced students know the IHL philosophy and content, the better it is reflected on the decision-making and practical level in a short-term and long-term perspective;
  • a tool to develop firm and informed position on the need and use of this branch of law even in circumstances when other laws are not applicable or seem not to be working anymore.

Through the summer school the AUA and the ICRC will support practitioners interested in IHL to extend their network, build IHL expertise and apply the knowledge in their professional life. It aids them on how to play their role in promoting IHL compliance in their countries of origin or work setting.

For our region, regrettably, the IHL goes far beyond the textbooks and the summer school will also help to better understand the IHL challenges and developments on specific practical examples and case studies. All the sessions will dwell on concrete examples rather than on pure theory and philosophy.

Selection criteria

  • Background in the public international law and/or the IHL is required. An eligible candidate should have either working experience in the humanitarian and other relevant sectors (international and local NGOs, state agencies, international organizations, national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies) or current enrollment in a masters/postgraduate program in law, political science, international relations and other adjacent fields of study.
  • Working proficiency in English.

Interested candidates are requested to fill out the application form electronically. The application deadline is 12 June 2024 (23.59 GMT).

The results of the selection process will be communicated to all candidates on 17 June 2024.

Expenses

There is no tuition fee. However, the face-to-face attendees’ travel, meals and accommodation costs are not covered by the organizers and must be arranged by the participants themselves.

Certification and awards

As the program follows a logical structure, participants are expected to be present throughout the course. Those participants who attended at least 80 % of the sessions will receive an official Certificate of Attendance upon the completion of the course.  An IHL quiz will be offered during the last session of the summer school and those who score in the top three will be awarded a certificate of achievement and will receive summer school souvenirs.