Information

14-23 May 2025
Application start 5 August 2024
Application end 30 April 2025
Fee: 1250 Swiss Francs

Downloads

Flyer >

The Rules Governing the Use of Force in International Law

Yemen,  Sana'a, Faj Attan district. Destruction. Yemen,  Sana'a, Faj Attan district. Destruction.

Descriptive

This online short course provides an overview of the content and evolution of the rules governing the use of unilateral force in international law, including military intervention on humanitarian grounds and the fight against international terrorism. It focuses on the practice of states and international organizations.

This course focuses on the practice of states and international organizations. It has two main closely related objectives. First, it provides an overview of the content and evolution of the rules governing the use of unilateral force in international law, including military intervention on humanitarian grounds and the fight against international terrorism. During the course, the legal issues raised by the main recent cases of unilateral force, especially Kosovo (1999), Iraq (2003), Syria (since 2014), Ukraine (2014 and 2022), and Gaza (since 2023), as well as their normative implications will be thoroughly and critically analysed. Second, the course will address the key features, evolution and shortcomings of the United Nations collective security system, from its creation in 1945 to the so-called authorization practice, which was inaugurated during the first Gulf Crisis (1990-1). The interventions in Libya (2011) and Mali (2012-3) will serve to trigger a discussion on the role of the United Nations and regional organizations in maintaining and restoring international peace and security.

Online

This is an online short course.

Schedule

Classes will take place online during lunchtime on:

  • Wednesday, 14 May 2025, 12:00–14:00 (CET)
  • Thursday, 15 May 2025, 12:00–14:00 (CET)
  • Friday, 16 May 2025, 12:00–14:00 (CET)
  • Wednesday, 21 May 2025, 12:00–14:00 (CET)
  • Thursday, 22 May 2025, 12:00–14:00 (CET)
  • Friday, 23 May 2025, 12:00–14:00 (CET)

Audience

This course forms part of the Geneva Academy Executive Master in International Law in Armed Conflict. It is open to professionals – diplomats, lawyers, legal advisers, judges, NGO staff, human rights advocates, media specialists, professionals working in emergency situations, UN staff and staff from other international organizations – who are not enrolled in the Executive Master and who want to deepen their expertise in this specific issue.

Fee

The fee for this short course is 1,250 Swiss Francs. In case of cancellation by the participants, CHF 200 won't be returned.

Certificate

Participants obtain a certificate at the end of the course (no ECTS credits are gained).

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted via this online form.

If you encounter problems with your application, do not hesitate to contact us.

Your application will need to include:

  • A short motivation letter (no more than one page)
  • Your curriculum vitae
  • Proof of your competence in English (a certificate or statement highlighting your solid background in English)
  • Once admitted to the course, participants receive instructions on how to pay. Proof of payment is required before you begin the course.

Professor and Lecturer

Picture of Tarcisio Gazzini

Tarcisio Gazzini

Professor of international law at the University of Padua

Tarcisio Gazzini is Professor of International Law at the University of Padua.

Location

Online course

Access

The course will be conducted online using the ZOOM platform.

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

Marco Sassoli reading the Geneva Conventions News

The Geneva Conventions at 70: Our Ongoing Contribution to their Implementation

12 August 2019

On the occasion of the Geneva Conventions 70th anniversary, our Director Professor Marco Sassòli discusses their importance and our contribution to their implementation. 

Read more

A military types on a computer News

New Research Initiative Addresses the Digitalization of Armed Conflict

13 October 2020

A new research project, carried out in partnership with the International Committee of the Red Cross, will explore the humanitarian consequences and protection needs caused by the digitalization of armed conflicts and the extent to which these are addressed international humanitarian law.

Read more

Portrait of Ambassador Jürg Lauber Event

Opening Lecture by Ambassador Jürg Lauber

19 February 2025, 18:00-21:00

The opening lecture of the 2025 Spring Semester will be given by Ambassador Jürg Lauber, President of the Human Rights Council and the Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the United Nations.

Read more

Short Course

The Law of Non-International Armed Conflicts

6-21 February 2025

This online short course discusses the protection offered by international humanitarian law (IHL) in non-international armed conflicts (NIACs) and addresses some problems and controversies specific to IHL of NIACs, including the difficulty to ensure the respect of IHL by armed non-state actors.

Read more

Colombia, Mountains in the Valle del Cauca region, between Santander de Quilichao et Popayan. FARC-EP (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) combattants. Project

Rules of Engagement

Completed in January 2009

This project looked at how to enhance compliance by armed non-state actors with international norms, taking into account the views both of the actors themselves and the experiences of those engaged in dialogue with them.

Read more

A destroyed camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Khor Abeche, South Darfur, Project

Understanding the Relationship between Conflict, Security and the Human Right to a Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment

Started in May 2023

This project will develop guidance to inform security, human rights and environmental debates on the linkages between environmental rights and conflict, and how their better management can serve as a tool in conflict prevention, resilience and early warning.

Read more