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Report on pledge – Strengthening compliance with international humanitarian law (IHL) through its promotion, dissemination and implementation

Statutory Meetings / International Conference / Pledges / Strengthening compliance with international humanitarian law (IHL) through its promotion, dissemination and implementation / Pledge Report / Report on pledge – Strengthening compliance with international humanitarian law (IHL) through its promotion, dissemination and implementation

Actions taken:

Towards, ‘support the development, use and sharing of innovative forms of dissemination, utilizing digital technology and new media formats, which also allow to better reach civilian populations directly affected by armed conflict’,

The European Legal Support Group—comprised of the National Societies of EU member state plus 8 others from the European region—have initiated the development of an immersive and interactive IHL awareness-raising film experience, If War Comes to You (IWCTY), in partnership with Danish Red Cross (as managing partner) and ICRC.

IWCTY harnesses Point of View and ‘choose your own path’ technology to give the user a first-person immersive and empathetic experience of how IHL compliance can reduce suffering in armed conflict. The user can choose to experience a day in in the life of a civilian, a solider, or an aid worker.  It also motivates users, particularly youth, towards action through an immersive feedback component. ICTY—including user perspectives on how to improve IHL compliance—will be showcased on the margins of the 34th International Conference.

The primary use of the experience is through facilitated learning, eg as an tool for teachers or facilitators in formal and informal education settings. However it is also being promoted through social media for spontaneous use.

IWCTY has been awarded the Danish Digital Award for Best Use of Video, with the jury stating, ‘[IWCTY] succeeds at keeping the attention of the viewer and conveying heavy information, rewarding the viewer through gamification and engaged interaction, giving the desire to come back again and again and again. The film’s ability to make difficult dilemmas interesting through a convincing execution of innovative use of video is what raises it above the other nominees’.

IWCTY is currently available in 8 languages , and specifically towards the pledge aim ‘to better reach civilian populations directly affected by armed conflict’, is currently being translated into Ukrainian and Russian. In the few months since its launch in spring 2024, over 200’000 persons have been exposed to IWCTY.

Implementation completion:

No
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