Report on – 33rd IC Resolution 1: Bringing IHL home: A road map for better national implementation of international humanitarian law (33IC/19/R1) – American Red Cross

¿ Ha incorporado el Estado/la Sociedad Nacional/la institución los empeños contenidos en esta resolución en los planes estratégicos u operativos pertinentes?

Los compromisos han sido incorporados en
estrategia
plan operativo

A nacional, local nivel

Explicación:

Educational Outreach and Training: We have significantly invested in IHL education, both internally among our staff and volunteers and externally within regional communities. Our initiatives have led to the education of over 100,000 individuals since 2019 through the deployment of trained volunteer instructors who conduct IHL classes across various regions.

Digital Engagement and Content Creation: At the National Headquarters level, we have produced and disseminated a substantial array of digital content focused on IHL, including recorded webinars. These digital offerings have amassed more than 90,000 views since 2022, illustrating a robust engagement with our materials online.

Collaboration and Dialogue Events: Our collaboration with IHL think tanks and similar organizations has been pivotal in fostering dialogue and promoting IHL across diverse professional communities. These partnerships have been instrumental in both amplifying our dissemination efforts and in exploring emerging areas of IHL, such as new technologies and digital applications within the Red Cross movement.

Academic Involvement and Events: The American Red Cross has increased its academic presence through expert-led instruction at educational institutions and the organization of events like the Clara Barton IHL Moot Court competition. These initiatives aim to spark interest and deepen knowledge among students regarding IHL.

IHL Youth Action Campaign: Since 2019, our Youth Action Campaign has been a cornerstone in engaging young individuals with IHL themes, empowering them to advocate for IHL principles among their peers. Each year, the campaign focuses on pertinent topics, including the ethics of autonomous weapons, the impact of nuclear weapons, environmental protection, and cultural property preservation in armed conflicts, with an upcoming theme on space and cyber technology.

Ha trabajado el Estado/la Sociedad Nacional/la institución con otros asociados para poner en práctica los empeños contenidos en esta resolución?

En asociación con:
Sociedad Nacional de la Cruz Roja o de la Media Luna Roja de su país
gobierno y/o autoridades públicas
CICR/Federación Internacional
otras Sociedades Nacionales de la Cruz Roja y de la Media Luna Roja
asociados en los ámbitos humanitario y de desarrollo (por ejemplo, Naciones Unidas, organizaciones no gubernamentales)
mundo académico

Ejemplos de cooperación:

Government Agencies: We have worked closely with the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Department of Defense to facilitate discussions and initiatives that promote IHL adherence and understanding among diplomatic and governmental circles. This collaboration includes hosting joint seminars and workshops that leverage the Department’s extensive network and expertise.

Military Academies and the Army War College: Through partnerships with Military Academies and the Army War College, we have delivered expert-level IHL education and training to military personnel. This includes lectures, courses, and simulations that integrate IHL principles into military doctrine and practice, fostering a deeper understanding of the legal and ethical obligations during armed conflict.

Law Schools and the Lieber Institute on the Law of Armed Conflict: Collaborating with law schools and the Lieber Institute, we have contributed to the academic study and promotion of IHL. This includes co-hosting conferences, moot court competitions like the Clara Barton IHL Competition, and developing curricula that incorporate IHL into legal education.

International Legal Societies: Our work with the American Society for International Law and similar organizations has involved co-organizing events, panels, and publications that explore current IHL issues and challenges. These partnerships help to foster a robust dialogue within the legal community about the importance of IHL and emerging areas such as cyber and space warfare.

Collaborations with other National Societies: We have engaged in cross-training initiatives with neighbouring national societies, such as the Canadian Red Cross, to share best practices, resources, and methodologies for IHL dissemination. These collaborations enhance our collective capacity to educate and engage diverse audiences about IHL principles.

ICRC Delegations: Our close coordination with ICRC delegations, especially in Washington D.C. and New York, has been pivotal in aligning our IHL dissemination efforts with broader humanitarian objectives.

IHL Roundtables and Think Tank Initiatives: Participating in and supporting forums like the End of War and Chautauqua IHL Dialogues has allowed us to contribute to high-level discussions on the future of warfare and the evolving landscape of IHL. These platforms provide an opportunity to engage with experts, policymakers, and practitioners to explore innovative solutions to complex humanitarian issues.

JROTC Battalions: Our engagement with JROTC and ROTC battalions involves providing IHL education and resources to youth future leaders. This initiative aims to instil a strong foundation of IHL knowledge and respect from the outset of their career.

¿Ha habido dificultades para poner en práctica los empeños contenidos en esta resolución?

¿Han incidido los empeños contenidos en esta resolución en el trabajo y la dirección del Estado/la Sociedad Nacional/la institución?

Tipo de repercusión:
fortalecimiento de la cooperación entre el gobierno o las autoridades públicas y la Sociedad Nacional
aumento de la eficacia y la eficiencia de los programas y operaciones
desarrollo y uso de herramientas o metodologías innovadoras
establecimiento o fortalecimiento de asociaciones con otros actores humanitarios
incremento en la movilización de recursos
formación y capacidad de los miembros del personal y de los voluntarios (en el caso de las Sociedades Nacionales);

Describa detalladamente las repercusiones:

Yes, the commitments contained in the resolution have profoundly impacted the work and direction of our National Society. The adoption of this resolution has led to strengthened cooperation between our National Society and government/public authorities, significantly enhancing our joint efforts in disseminating International Humanitarian Law (IHL). This collaboration, alongside the development and utilization of innovative tools and methodologies, has made our programming and operations more effective and efficient. Notably, we have seen an increase in the mobilization of resources, crucial for expanding our IHL dissemination and education programs. The training and capacity of our staff and volunteers have also seen significant enhancements, with investments made to deepen their understanding of IHL and equip them to lead classes within their communities.

Moreover, our commitment to the resolution has fostered the creation and enhancement of partnerships with a broad spectrum of humanitarian and academic actors. These include engaging with law schools to enrich legal academic understanding of IHL, representing the movement at think tanks and roundtables like the End of War project and IHL Dialogues, participating in panels at the American Society for International Law, and collaborating with academics to create impactful IHL content. Additionally, we’ve ventured into innovative dissemination platforms, such as video game conferences, using non-war video games to teach IHL to new, diverse audiences. These efforts have not only expanded our reach but have also aligned our operations closely with our organization’s perspective and understanding of IHL, ensuring that the information we provide is directly accessible and resonates with our diverse audience.

5. Han incidido los empeños contenidos en esta resolución en las comunidades a las que el Estado/la Sociedad Nacional/la institución presta servicios?

Describa las repercusiones:

Yes, the commitments in this resolution have significantly impacted the communities served by our State/National Society/Institution, influencing both our volunteers and the public. Among volunteers, qualitative data indicates that an enhanced understanding of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) has led to increased appreciation for the organization. This enhanced comprehension not only fosters a stronger connection to the movement’s roles during armed conflicts but also clarifies the boundaries of what the movement can and cannot do, enriching volunteer engagement and commitment.

For the public, our initiatives have markedly improved the understanding of IHL, thereby reshaping perceptions of current events and the movement’s activities during armed conflicts. This educational effort has equipped individuals with the knowledge to view global and local military actions through a more informed lens, contributing to more nuanced discussions about inherently divisive issues. It has also fostered greater awareness of the movement’s operational principles and limitations during conflicts, promoting a deeper understanding of our humanitarian mission and constraints.

Moreover, our dedication to providing a neutral source of IHL information has established our organization as a trustworthy repository for clear, unbiased legal insights. This neutrality has been invaluable for government entities, military personnel, and the broader public, offering a “safer” space for accessing direct information on IHL without opinion or analysis. Testimonials underscore the utility of this approach, highlighting how it enables individuals and organizations to form their own informed viewpoints. Maintaining our neutrality not only aligns with our foundational principles but also reinforces our role as a pivotal educational resource in the complex landscape of international humanitarian law.