Executive Master in International Law in Armed Conflict: What Participants Say

Portrait of Chantal Touma Portrait of Chantal Touma

27 April 2021

Chantal Touma, from Syria, follows our Executive Master in International Law in Armed Conflict online while working as Legal Adviser at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Legal Department in Damascus.

In this position, she provides legal consultations and analysis regarding various legal issues that might arise in ICRC’s operations in Syria. This involves research in national legislation and international law instruments along with presentation and dissemination of specific international humanitarian law (IHL) topics during external IHL courses.

Prior to that, Chantal completed an internship with the Norwegian Refugee Council in Syria and another internship at the ICRC Delegation in Syria. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Law from Damascus University in Syria.

Why did you choose the Executive Master in International Law in Armed Conflict?

During the conflict in my country, I witnessed the vast amount of legal issues arising from this exceptional situation. I realized that I needed to develop my knowledge not just in IHL, but in the entire international legal system which governs such situations. I wanted to use this knowledge not only to apply it to my current work in Syria but also to be able to someday influence the international community regarding post-violence development.

Does it respond to your expectations?

To be honest, this programme exceeded my expectations in numerous ways. It provides me with the comprehensive and detailed education I was aspiring to receive, and it teaches me critical thinking when using international law instruments to analyse events related to conflict on a practical level.

What are the highlights of the programme?

It is very difficult to select only a few, as all topics are fascinating and relevant. My highlights of the programme are learning the interplay between IHL and international human rights law (IHRL) when it comes to practical scenarios in armed conflict such as detention, right to life, counter-terrorism and the rules governing Jus ad Bellum.

How is distance learning?

At first, I thought distance learning was going to be an overwhelming challenge, but over time, I have come to realize that it is almost the same as attending the classes in person as it is very interactive. It is particularly convenient in a situation of a global pandemic and time-saving for a person who is maintaining a full-time job as well.

Can you easily manage following this programme and working at the same time?

Upon the commencement of the programme, I found it very difficult to adjust to working and learning at the same time since both demand high commitment. However, with the guidance of the teaching assistants throughout the programme, I learned how to better manage the content and my time. The subjects seemed a bit too complicated and scattered at the beginning but they all complement each other during the programme.

It is a juggling act that, once mastered, can be tremendously fruitful!

What will it bring to your career?

In the short run, I can already observe the added value it brings to my current job as a legal adviser as it strengthened my understanding of IHL and IHRL and I have been able to immediately apply this in my job.
In the long run, I hope that I can use this education to help my country through the aftermath of the conflict and to continue working as a legal adviser in other countries facing an armed conflict.

Would you recommend it?

I highly recommend this Executive Masters programme to anyone wishing to develop a legal career in armed conflicts while maintaining a job simultaneously. This programme is an opportunity to acquire high-quality education at a practical pace tailored to the life of a humanitarian practitioner.

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

Screen shot of the blog News

Newly Graduated LLM Alumnus Publishes a Condensed Version of his LLM Paper in Prominent Blog

14 November 2023

Our LLM alumnus Ioannis Bamnios – who graduated in October – published the main and very innovative argument of his LLM paper on the ‘conduct of hostilities in occupied territories’ in the leading blog Articles of War of the US Military Academy at West Point.

Read more

Dr Harper at the panel on Afghanistan News

Dr Erica Harper Addresses Afghanistan's Complex Situation and the Role of Investigations at the UN Human Rights Council

19 October 2023

During the latest UN Human Rights Council session, our Head of Research and Policy Studies Dr Erica Harper presented at a side event the situation in Afghanistan.

Read more

Cover page of the book Event

Book Launch – Prohibited Force: The Meaning of ‘Use of Force’ in International Law

27 March 2024, 13:00-14:00

At this book launch, Erin Pobjie will discuss the key open legal questions on how to interpret and apply the prohibition of the use of force, contemporary challenges facing the it's prohibition, and the relevance of jus contra bellum.

Read more

A person holiding the 1949 Geneva Conventions Event

Online Open House: Executive Master in International Law in Armed Conflict

28 March 2024, 12:30-13:30

Join us at this online open house to learn more about this part-time online programme designed for professionals, exchange with the programme's participants and alumni and discuss career opportunities.

Read more

A general view of participants during of the 33nd ordinary session of the Human Rights Council. Training

The Universal Periodic Review and the UN Human Rights System: Raising the Bar on Accountability

11-15 November 2024

This training course will explore the origin and evolution of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and its functioning in Geneva and will focus on the nature of implementation of the UPR recommendations at the national level.

Read more

Afghanistan, Parwan detention facility. Inside a room where detainees of the prison, separated by an acrylic glass, are allowed to meet with their families a couple of times per year with the help of the ICRC employees who facilitate the programme. Short Course

Preventing and Combating Terrorism

25 April - 17 May 2024

This online short course discusses the extent to which states may limit and/or derogate from their international human rights obligations in order to prevent and counter-terrorism and thus protect persons under their jurisdiction.

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

Neutrotechology Project

Neurotechnology and Human Rights

Started in August 2023

This project addresses the human rights implications stemming from the development of neurotechnology for commercial, non-therapeutic ends, and is based on a partnership between the Geneva Academy, the Geneva University Neurocentre and the UN Human Rights Council Advisory Committee. 

Read more

Cover Page of Research Brief Publication

Environmental Human Rights as a Tool in Early Warning and Conflict Prevention The Role of the Human Rights Council

published on January 2024

Erica Harper, Baïna Ubushieva

Read more

Cover page of the publication Publication

Delivering the Right to Peace: Towards a Reinforced Role of the Human Rights Council in the UN's Peace and Security Framework

published on October 2023

Erica Harper, Adam Day

Read more