PHAP: Learning sessions and webinars

Latest Episodes:

OLS HLP 5. Qualification of Armed Conflict Case Studies - Ukraine and Syria (with Prof Laurie Blank and Sareta Ashraph) Jan 31, 2016

Show notes

Main speakers:
- Laurie Blank, Clinical Professor of Law and the Director of the International Humanitarian Law Clinic at Emory University School of Law
- Sareta Ashraph, Chief Analyst on the UN Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic
On 21 July, PHAP organized an online learning session on the qualification of situations. Following on our introductory session on this topic, we looked at two case studies from Ukraine and Syria, which illustrate both the importance of carrying out a qualification assessment and the complexity involved in such an assessment.
For more info, resources, and assessments for PHAP members, visit https://phap.org/OLS-HLP-5

OLS HLP 4. Qualification of Armed Conflict (with Dr Noëlle Quénivet) Jan 30, 2016

Show notes

Main speaker: Dr. Noëlle Quénivet, Associate Professor in International Law at the Faculty of Business and Law of the University of the West of England
Qualifying – or classifying – a situation as an international armed conflict (IAC) or non-international armed conflict (NIAC) is an important and often necessary step when determining whether the rules of international humanitarian law (IHL) apply in a specific context. The application of IAC or NIAC rules to a given scenario is of significant consequence; for instance, under IHL the standards governing the use of lethal force in an IAC or NIAC are far more permissive than those that apply during peacetime. The basic distinction between IACs and NIACs is reflected in both treaty and customary law, and dictates which rules apply to a particular situation. For instance, the treaty rules regulating conduct of hostilities and the treaty rules addressing humanitarian access differ in an IAC as compared to a NIAC.
This session provides an introduction to conducting a qualification analysis under IHL. It will address such questions as:
- What is the value or utility of such an exercise?
- Who undertakes such an exercise and why? Is there a final arbiter of such an analysis?
- What are the definitions of an IAC and a NIAC? Where does occupation fit in?
- When does a situation of violence become an IAC or NIAC?
- What are some of the challenges in qualifying a situation as an armed conflict?
These issues and challenges will be picked up in the next session when two case studies will be analyzed, with a focus on the technicalities of qualifying a situation and the relevance of such an exercise to humanitarian practitioners.
For more info, resources, and assessments for PHAP members, visit https://phap.org/OLS-HLP-4

OLS HLP 3. Fundamental Principles of IHL (with Dick Jackson) Jan 30, 2016

Show notes

Main speaker: Dick Jackson, Special Assistant to the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General for Law of War Matters
The rules regulating the conduct of hostilities are central to the framework of international humanitarian law (IHL). This highly articulated set of rules, found in both treaty and customary law, establishes the parameters by which adversaries must conduct their operations. These rules aim to limit the effects of hostilities, and are critical to the protection of civilians during armed conflict. Implicit in each rule is a balancing of the humanitarian imperative and military necessity.
This session will provide a brief introduction to the basic rules of conduct of hostilities, offering participants the opportunity to learn about the relationship between the principles of distinction and proportionality, the rules regarding precautionary measures, and the prohibition of superfluous injury and unnecessary suffering. The definition of a military objective will be covered, as will conditions under which damage to civilian objects or injury or death to civilians may not be unlawful under IHL in certain circumstances.
This session on the basics of conduct of hostilities will be followed later in the year by a series of more advanced sessions focusing in greater depth on a number of related issues and challenges, including so-called "targeted killings" and direct participation in hostilities by civilians.
For more info, resources, and assessments for PHAP members, visit https://phap.org/OLS-HLP-3

OLS HLP 2. Core Humanitarian Principles (with Elizabeth Holland) Jan 30, 2016

Show notes

Main speaker: Elizabeth Holland, Consulting Expert on International Humanitarian Law, PHAP
The four core humanitarian principles – humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence – undergird the humanitarian enterprise. They are referenced in UN Resolutions, included in the Red Cross and NGO Code of Conduct, cited in the missions and mandates of various organizations, noted in various best practices documents, and included in a number of donor agreements. Consequently, considerations regarding how to operate in accordance with these principles are of great import for humanitarian organizations.
This session will review the four core principles in detail, discussing their definitional scope, the guiding role they play, and give a brief overview of the challenges to their implementation. It will also contextualize the principles by examining their relationship to international humanitarian law (IHL), focusing in particular on their significance to those negotiating and conducting humanitarian operations in the context of an armed conflict.
Later this year, this session on the basics of the core humanitarian principles will be followed by a series of more advanced sessions focusing in greater depth on each principle, as well as challenges, and dilemmas in their operationalization.
For more information, resources, and assessments for PHAP members, visit https://phap.org/OLS-HLP-2

OLS HLP 1. Introduction to IHL and its relevance for humanitarian actors (with Elizabeth Holland) Jan 30, 2016

Show notes

Main speaker: Elizabeth Holland, Consulting Expert on International Humanitarian Law, PHAP.
International humanitarian law (“IHL”) aims to regulate the behavior of those involved in armed conflict. Though formally it binds states and armed groups, it also has great practical relevance to humanitarian actors. It provides a set of principles, rules, and norms that govern a myriad of activities, including the conduct of hostilities, detention operations, and humanitarian assistance efforts. As a legal framework, it is relevant to a range of activities in the humanitarian sector – for operations, research, advocacy, communications, etc.
This session will look at examples of practical situations in which an understanding of IHL is critical for those working in the humanitarian field and will address the following questions:
- What is IHL, what is its aim, and why is it important for humanitarian actors to understand?
- Under what conditions does IHL apply and what are the consequences of its application?
- What are the main sources of IHL? Who has rights and - What is the relationship of IHL to other bodies of law relevant to humanitarian practice, particularly human rights law and refugee law?
This online session, the first in a series of regular online events bringing together humanitarian practitioners for brief expert lectures and open Q&A, will provide an overview of IHL with a focus on its significance for humanitarian actors.
Additional information, resources, and assessments for PHAP members at https://phap.org/OLS-HLP-1

OLS TCHA 4 - Gender-based violence in humanitarian crises (with Erin Kenny) Jan 29, 2016

Show notes

In its fourth Online Learning Session on Trends and Challenges of Humanitarian Action, Erin Kenny gave a presentation on addressing gender based violence in emergencies.
Learning objectives
- An ability to define gender-based violence
- An understanding of the principles that guide our work to address GBV in humanitarian contexts
- Familiarity with the elements of effective GBV programming in humanitarian contexts
To read more about this session and to take the assessments, visit https://phap.org/OLS-TCHA-4

Learning session: Psychology, trauma, and staff wellness in humanitarian action (Trends and Challenges in Humanitarian Action) Jan 29, 2016

Show notes

In its third Online Learning Session on Trends and Challenges of Humanitarian Action, Professor Alastair Ager gave a presentation on psychology, trauma, and staff wellness in humanitarian action. This session focused on the following:
- Stressors in humanitarian work and their effects.
- Organizational factors influencing the impact of stressors.
- The effect of anxiety and burnout on humanitarian effectiveness.
- The differences between local and international staff in terms of stressors faced in their work.
You can read more about the session and take the assessments at https://phap.org/OLS-TCHA-3

Learning Session: Humanitarian innovation: an overview (Trends and Challenges in Humanitarian Action) Jan 24, 2016

Show notes

In the context of growing humanitarian needs and increasingly limited resources, finding innovative solutions to reducing human suffering is critical. However, the humanitarian sector lacks organizational frameworks, resources, and tools dedicated to managing innovation, and innovation strategies are rarely systematically adapted and applied to humanitarianism.
The past few years have seen an influx of initiatives looking at fostering innovation in humanitarian action, including the ICRC-led Global Partnership for Humanitarian Impact and Innovation (GPHI2); the Humanitarian Innovation Fund (HIF); the Humanitarian Innovation Project (HIP) at the Refugee Studies Centre, University of Oxford; dedicated innovation units at UNICEF and UNHCR; and private sector initiatives such as the Deloitte Humanitarian Innovation Program. Given the current interest in innovation, it is important that we understand what we mean when we refer to humanitarian innovation, what the current trends are, as well as the challenges to achieving results in fostering innovation in humanitarian action.
In this learning session, Alexander Betts,
Director of the Refugee Studies Centre and Leopold Muller Associate Professor in Refugee and Forced Migration Studies at the University of Oxford, provides us with an overview of what sets humanitarian innovation apart from other kinds of innovation.
Read more and access the assessments and related resources at https://phap.org/OLS-TCHA-2

Learning Session: Faith and Religion in Humanitarian Action (Trends and Challenges in Humanitarian Action) Jan 24, 2016

Show notes

This learning session featured guest speaker Prof Alastair Ager, who provided a brief overview of the history of the relationship between religion and humanitarian action.
Humanitarian agencies across the globe are seeking to come to terms with the religiosity that so clearly continues as a major influence in today's world.. But how are they to engage with religion, when humanitarianism holds neutrality, impartiality and modernity so centrally to its credentials? Is it not a violation of the very identity of the humanitarian to wade into such partisan territory?
This learning session provided a brief overview of the history of the relationship between religion and humanitarian action. It also looked at recent and current initiatives in the humanitarian sector, highlighting challenges, recommendations, and examples of good practice that have been identified.
For more resources and assessments relating to this session, please go to https://phap.org/OLS-TCHA-1

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