IHL Digest: Online Training Courses on International Humanitarian Law
Online educational courses allow you to gain new knowledge from anywhere in the world — just connect to the Internet. Distance learning is conducted by instructors from leading educational institutions and includes video lectures, self-study exercises, text materials, and opportunities for communication with teachers and fellow participants.
By completing all the tasks diligently, you can earn a certificate from a Western university! While access to the materials is free, obtaining a certificate typically entails a fee of about $30 to $50. Some platforms, such as EdX and Coursera, offer financial support. Please note that if some courses are inactive at the time of viewing, the materials for those courses will remain publicly available.
Recommended Online Courses on International Humanitarian Law
Ukrainian Red Cross experts have prepared a selection of relevant courses to help you learn or refresh your knowledge of international humanitarian law.
International Humanitarian Law in the Professional Activity of Civil Servants
The online course “International Humanitarian Law in the Professional Activity of Civil Servants” is unique in that it addresses IHL not in the traditional manner but by considering the specific needs of civil servants and local government officials. The course places particular emphasis on the context of IHL application within state and local self-government bodies, highlighting its importance and relevance, as well as the specificities of IHL in light of Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine. Additionally, the course covers national legislation that includes IHL rules applicable to public authorities.
The course is taught in Ukrainian.
Studying International Humanitarian Law: An Online Course for Educators
This course was developed by a group of expert practitioners from the Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union and the Ukrainian Red Cross Society, with the support of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. This team consists of international lawyers with over fifteen years of experience in teaching and applying international humanitarian law, specialists in conflict transformation, developers of educational products in the fields of social cohesion and human rights, and educators in human rights law.
The course is taught in Ukrainian.
International Humanitarian Law: Educational Series
Gain all the knowledge you need by watching this educational series in Ukrainian. Learn about the nuances of humanitarian law, the protection of civilians during war, mechanisms for prosecuting crimes committed in connection with armed conflict, and the guarantees of information rights during wartime. The educational series “International Humanitarian Law” was developed at the initiative of the National Agency of Ukraine on Civil Service (NAUCS) and the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine for the Diia.Education Platform, with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine and funding from the Government of Denmark.
The course is taught in Ukrainian.
International Humanitarian Law in Theory and Practice
This is the first open online course of the Kalshoven-Giskes Forum for International Humanitarian Law, a platform of the Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies at Leiden University dedicated to the research, teaching, and dissemination of international humanitarian law (IHL). In this course, Prof. Robert Heinsch, Dr. Giulia Pinzauti, and Dr. Emma Irving will provide deep insights into the rules that govern armed conflict and aim to mitigate human suffering on the battlefield. By the end of the course, you will be familiar with various implementation and enforcement mechanisms designed to promote respect for IHL.
The course is taught in English, with automatic translation into Ukrainian and 22 other languages.
Introduction to International Humanitarian Law (IHL)
In this interactive e-learning course, you will be introduced to the main issues related to the law of armed conflict, also known as international humanitarian law (IHL). You will learn about the origins and sources of this law and the situations in which it applies. Additionally, you will discover how to distinguish between international armed conflicts and non-international conflicts. The course will cover specific rules for the protection of civilians, detainees, the wounded and sick, and medical personnel.
The course is taught in English and is also available in French and Spanish.
International Humanitarian Law (LouvainX: International Humanitarian Law)
This course explores how international law regulates armed conflicts, protects individuals during wartime, and ensures compliance. You will learn about the basics of IHL, including the subjects and sources of international law and principles of international responsibility. It is advisable for students to be familiar with the requirements for graduate courses or to have previously taken other law courses to understand legal concepts and terminology.
The course is taught in English.
Violence Against Healthcare
This course addresses various topics, including the ethics, rights, and responsibilities of health and pre-hospital personnel, issues related to international law and humanitarian law, international human rights, caregiver and patient safety, and the role of communities in combating and reducing violence against healthcare. The “Healthcare at Risk” project aims to develop practical measures and recommendations that can be implemented on the ground by policymakers, humanitarian organisations, and healthcare professionals.
The course is taught in English.
For a more in-depth study of individual topics, we recommend exploring the Advance IHL Learning Series resource (available in English). The courses and materials provided are designed for teachers and trainers who wish to stay updated on the latest developments in IHL and related fields. The latest news on international humanitarian law in Ukraine is available on the official website of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS).
