Students in Kirovohrad region take part in international humanitarian law training
In Kropyvnytskyi, students from two universities learned about the rules governing armed conflict. A series of international humanitarian law (IHL) training sessions was organised for students from Kherson State Agrarian and Economic University and Central Ukrainian National Technical University.
The training was a joint initiative of the Ukrainian Red Cross and the two higher education institutions. The sessions were delivered by Yurii Bondarchuk, Associate Professor at the Department of Marketing and Economic Theory at Central Ukrainian National Technical University and a Ukrainian Red Cross IHL volunteer trainer.
During the sessions, students explored the fundamental principles of IHL and the rules that protect civilians and other persons entitled to protection under IHL in international and non-international armed conflicts. They put theory into practice by analysing scenarios, discussing possible courses of action and completing practical exercises based on what they had learned.
Particular attention was given to the significance of the Red Cross, Red Crescent and Red Crystal emblems and the importance of preventing their misuse.
For students at Central Ukrainian National Technical University, the training formed part of their Fundamentals of National Resistance course. It was attended by 61 second-year students and 36 students from the Faculty of Economics. First-year students from Kherson State Agrarian and Economic University also took part. The university continues its educational activities in Kropyvnytskyi following its relocation.
Air raid alerts did not prevent the training from continuing. At Central Ukrainian National Technical University, a significant part of the sessions took place in the university shelter, which is equipped as a classroom. Students continued working through practical scenarios, taking part in discussions and completing exercises while observing safety requirements. The most active participants received gifts.
Knowledge of international humanitarian law helps people understand why, even during war, rules exist to limit the means and methods of warfare and protect people. The Ukrainian Red Cross continues to work with educational institutions to help young people deepen their understanding of IHL.
