International Humanitarian Law Program

International humanitarian law (IHL) is a set of universal rules which place basic limits on how war is waged. They protect people who are not fighting, like civilians, and people who can no longer fight, like sick and wounded soldiers or those that surrender. On August 12, 1949, the four Geneva Conventions in their current form came into being. Now adopted by the United States and every other nation, they are the cornerstone of international humanitarian law, also known as the law of war or the law of armed conflict.

“If I were to speak of war, it would not be to show you the glory of conquering armies, but the mischief and misery they leave in their tracks.”

Clara Barton

The Red Cross IHL Program

The American Red Cross provides opportunities to learn about international humanitarian law. This knowledge helps you understand issues related to international affairs and conflict, along with equipping you with insights to better understand past events and current conflicts reported in the media.

This FREE program offers a variety of courses and other opportunities that raise awareness about the Geneva Conventions, the basic rules of international humanitarian law, and the role of the Red Cross during armed conflict.

Governments, including the United States, must ensure respect for the rules of war. The more people who know about international humanitarian law and the more they understand its impact on human life and dignity, the more likely combatants are to respect it.

Program Highlights

The IHL Program is a combination of locally based events, foundational training, and webinars, along with video content that helps educate on topics relevant to the rules of war.

Through a hands-on approach utilizing group activities, class discussion and compelling visual media, the IHL Program invites participants to reflect on their perceptions of armed conflict and explore the powerful and fundamental concept of human dignity even in the midst of war.

Note: The IHL program is informational only. No certificate or academic credits are awarded upon completion.

IHL foundation course topics include:

Even War Has Rules (Basic Level 1 hr.)
Born on the Battlefield (Intermediate Level 3 hrs.)
Humanity in War (Expert Level 8 hrs.)

Sample IHL webinar topics include:

Women Under International Humanitarian Law: Protected or Combatants?
Pop Culture and IHL
Protecting Cultural Property During Wartime

Program Participants

The FREE Red Cross IHL Program is open to all who are interested in understanding the rules of war. Our instructors and staff are specifically skilled at teaching this complex subject to people from all backgrounds.

The IHL Program may be of special value to armed forces personnel, lawmakers, politicians, international studies and law students, as well as young adults seeking to advance their knowledge of humanitarian activities during armed conflicts.

How to Register

To attend the foundation courses, we require you to register. For the webinars, you can access them online, any time. Learn more.

Register and access webinars

Special Opportunities

The American Red Cross and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) offer additional opportunities related to IHL training.

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For assistance or additional Information about the Red Cross International Humanitarian Law Program and related opportunities, please contact the Red Cross IHL team.