NATO SFA COE joined the IHL Innovative Programming event
On
the 19th of June 2021 the NATO SFA COE participated in the event on “Implementing
International Humanitarian Law (IHL): Innovative Programming and Best Practices
in the age of COVID-19”.
The
purpose of the event was to share best practices in the field of Protection of
Civilians and International Humanitarian Law and highlight the possible changes
in the implementation of IHL through related policies and practices that should
lead to the reduction of civilian harm, especially due to the Covid-19 crisis.
The
event was organized by the Centre for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) and
co-sponsored by the Swiss Confederation, the Federal Republic of Germany, and
the Kingdom of the Netherlands and saw the participation of several panellists
coming from different backgrounds and organisations.
During
the event, the participants emphasized the importance of investigating the
global event at the local level, as well as the benefit of the implementation
of the IHL through innovative programming integrated with the Protection of
Civilians approach and an increased engagement with civilian society and
communities.
The
analysis of Protection of Civilians issues also highlighted its connection with
the Security Force Assistance and the NATO SFA COE, in particular in developing
research papers and other products.
During
the event, NATO SFA COE’s forthcoming book on the SFA implications in
international initiatives was mentioned, stressing the importance of
Reinforcing Harm Mitigation analysis in terms of best practices, lesson learned
and suggestions to prevent, mitigate and respond to civilian harm.
The
event was also valuable to understand the importance of IHL during the pandemic
and to share practical approaches, whilst emphasizing the obligations for State
and non - state actors to protect civilians under IHL.
For
more details watch the video: https://youtu.be/8KDbd6s1c14.