With the joint efforts of the International and Comparative Law Center, the American University of Armenia (AUA) and the delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Armenia (ICRC), the Regional Annual Summer School of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) has been organized since 2012.
The aim of the summer course is to acquaint the participants with the most important provisions of international law. They include the nature and functions of international humanitarian law, its sources and general principles.
The summer school provides a unique opportunity for learning IHL and making professional connections in the region.
The summer school brings some clarity and helps the participants to better orient themselves in the field of IHL, to deepen and strengthen their confidence in the importance of IHL and the ICRC in protecting victims of armed conflicts.
The summer school usually invites advanced students and young professionals working in state and non-state institutions, who are exposed to tasks related to international public law and its branches within their work activities.
Knowledge of IHL is of critical value to those working in or in the context of countries affected by armed conflict, as well as those interested in or already working in international humanitarian organizations or other related fields. The more practicing lawyers, politicians and advanced students are informed about the philosophy and content of the IHL, the better effect it will have on the decision-making and practical level in the short and long term prospects.
IHL is also a tool for taking a firm and informed position on the need and application of this branch of law, even in circumstances where other laws no longer seem to apply.
The mission of the school changes every year. In contrast to the 2021 summer school, whose mission was to develop a universal understanding of the nature and boundaries of the ICRC, as well as the peculiarities of the ICRC's work, the 2022 summer school was dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the ICRC's activity in Armenia.
Due to the summer school, I.C.Law-Armenia, AUA and ICRC aim to support young professionals interested in international humanitarian law to expand their contacts in the field, develop their experience and apply knowledge in professional life. It helps them realize their role in promoting IHL in the context of their birthplace or place of work.
For our region, international humanitarian law is much more than textbook definitions, and the summer school helps to better understand its challenges and developments based on particular practical examples and case studies.
The Center for International and Comparative Law actively participated in the organization of the summer school from 2012 to 2019.