Humanity in the Midst of War

Introduction to International Humanitarian Law

Course Purpose
Introduction to International Humanitarian Law (IHL) is intended to raise awareness
among Red Cross representatives and general audiences about the Geneva
Conventions, the basic rules of international humanitarian law, and the role of the Red
Cross during armed conflict to implement IHL. Through a hands-on approach utilizing
group activities, class discussion and multiple audiovisual aids, this newly-updated
course invites participants to reflect on their images and perceptions of armed conflict
and explore the powerful and fundamental concept of human dignity even in the midst
of the excesses of war.

Learning Objectives
Increase the understanding of and respect for
Human dignity
International Humanitarian Law (IHL)
Who and what IHL protects
How IHL protects people
The importance of a public understanding of IHL
Meeting IHL and fundamental principles challenges in American Red Cross daily
work

Participants
This course is highly recommended for ALL American Red Cross personnel (in both
chapters and Service Areas). It is essential for Red Cross personnel working with the
military and military families (either domestically or deployed on a military operation),
disaster workers, international family tracing caseworkers, public relations personnel,
chapter telephone receptionists, Boards of Directors, International Services Committee
members and other leadership representatives. In addition to internal audiences, a
number of external groups can be targeted, including: military families, veterans groups,
university and academic groups, young people, medical personnel, local media, and
professional, service and civic organizations. This course is not intended to be
marketed to active duty military audiences or reservists as these audiences should
receive briefings from an operational perspective on the Law of Armed Conflict and
military rules of engagement from their military training representatives.

Required
There are no prerequisites for this course.

Length
This course is a half-day in length.

Class Size
12 to 20 participants (minimum of 6).
How the Course Is Scheduled
Sponsoring units are responsible for their local instructor's expenses, if any. The
Tracing, Dissemination and Chapter Support unit at the International Services
Department at American Red Cross national headquarters (ISD/NHQ) can provide
instructors through Service Areas in some cases. There is no charge to participants for
course materials, although arrangements must be made between the instructor and
host chapter to make sure that course materials are photocopied and prepared ahead of
time.

Instructors
The course is taught by International Humanitarian Law instructors certified by the
Tracing, Dissemination and Chapter Support unit at the International Services
Department at American Red Cross national headquarters. See International
Humanitarian Law Instructor Directory.

Materials
Instructor and participant materials are not available through General Supply Division
(GSD). See Course Materials for more information and to reproduce course materials
for participants.

Humanity in the Midst of War Introduction to International Humanitarian Law Instructors

Manual, June 2005 Edition (HIS 0365) *
Introduction to IHL Instructors CD (handouts and presentation materials) *
Intro. to IHL Course audiovisual collection (DVD & VHS formats) *
Intro. to IHL Course USMC Training Video Law of War (DVD & VHS) *
Course PowerPoint Presentation (full graphics version English)
Course PowerPoint Presentation (full graphics version Spanish)
Course PowerPoint Presentation (plain text version)
* Provided to IHL instructors at instructor training.

For questions please contact the Tracing, Dissemination and Chapter Support unit at
ISD/NHQ: chapintlsupport@usa.redcross.org.

Humanity in the Midst of War November 2007 Fact Sheet Page 2 of 2