Launch of the PHAP Online Learning Series on Humanitarian Law and Policy
Markus Forsberg 6 May 2015
PHAP is pleased to announce the launch of the Online Learning Series on Humanitarian Law and Policy, which will provide an opportunity for continuous learning for those working in the humanitarian sector, as well as those interacting with humanitarian actors, to strengthen their understanding of legal and policy issues and to engage on topical and timely issues. The first session will be held on 21 May (see below for more info).
The nature of contemporary armed conflicts is increasingly complex, and a solid familiarity with the framework of international humanitarian law (“IHL”) is critical for those engaging in humanitarian work in these contexts. IHL regulates the behavior of the parties to an armed conflict – states and armed groups alike. Thus, it is a starting point from which humanitarian engagement with various actors is possible. Understanding the key rules, principles, and norms of IHL – as well as the challenges related to their implementation, application, and enforcement – is critical to approaching humanitarian action responsibly and strategically.
Each session will begin with a brief expert lecture on a specific IHL topic, followed by the opportunity for participants to engage directly with the presenter through an open Q&A. The sessions will cover a range of topics, and address various legal, political, and operational questions. The focus will be on the most significant and consequential issues for humanitarian actors, drawing from recent events, practitioner experiences, contemporary scholarship, new jurisprudence, and related legal developments. These online learning sessions are complementary to PHAP’s onsite courses and workshops on humanitarian law and policy. Some sessions serve as refreshers on core concepts while others provide supplementary opportunities for in-depth learning and discussion.
Following each session of the Online Learning Series on Humanitarian Law and Policy, members of the association will have the possibility to undergo a two-part assessment as part of the PHAP Continuous Learning Credits framework. The assessments are structured to allow members to both ensure that they have achieved the primary learning objectives of each session and to reflect on the topic of the session based on their own experience.
Upcoming sessions
- Introduction to IHL and its relevance for humanitarian actors, 21 May 2015
- IHL and Core Humanitarian Principles: humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence, 3 June 2015
- The Fundamental Principles of IHL Regulating Hostilities: military necessity, distinction, and proportionality, 17 June 2015
- Qualification of Armed Conflict and Determining the Applicable Law, 8 July 2015
- Qualification of Situations: case studies from recent practice, 22 July 2015
More sessions will be announced soon