We design and deliver customised professional trainings in international humanitarian law, human rights, international criminal justice and related fields, working closely with requesting institutions to ensure that each programme responds to their specific needs and strategic priorities.
Grounded in both academic expertise and practical experience, our customised trainings support governments, international organisations, NGOs, diplomatic missions and academic institutions seeking to strengthen knowledge, operational capacities or thematic understanding.
Formats are flexible — from short modules to multi-week programmes, delivered online, in person or in hybrid form — depending on institutional requirements.
Alongside fully customised offers, we also co-organise two recurring trainings with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
We provide tailored professional trainings that address the specific needs of institutions and organisations working in international humanitarian law, human rights, transitional justice and international criminal justice.
Each programme is designed to combine conceptual clarity, legal precision and practical relevance, ensuring it directly fits the professional realities and priorities of the requesting partner.
We co-develop each customised training in close dialogue with the requesting institution.
Our approach includes:
- Identification of training needs and objectives
- Definition of learning outcomes
- Joint design of the training structure and teaching methodology
- Selection of experts and practitioners
- Delivery in the preferred format (online, in person, hybrid)
- Post-training evaluation and follow-up
This collaborative method ensures relevance, quality and institutional ownership.
Our customised trainings can focus on a broad range of themes, including:
- International humanitarian law
- International human rights law
- Protection of civilians
- Use of force
- Counterterrorism and human rights
- Accountability and transitional justice
- International criminal law
- Armed conflict classification
- Protection of children or persons deprived of liberty
- Open-source investigations, digital evidence and armed conflict
Topics may be combined or adapted to create bespoke programmes.
Alongside fully customised programmes, the Geneva Academy and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) jointly deliver two regular customised trainings offered on a recurring basis:
• Annual ICRC–Geneva Academy Seminar for Diplomats
Held every year, this seminar is designed for diplomats accredited to permanent missions in Geneva. It provides an advanced introduction to international humanitarian law and its application to contemporary armed conflicts, combining thematic sessions with expert exchanges.
• ICRC–Academy Advanced IHL Seminar for Academics and Policymakers
Organised every two years, this seminar brings together academics and policymakers to deepen their understanding of IHL, discuss challenges arising in current conflicts, and reflect on evolving research and teaching methodologies. The 16th edition was delivered in a blended format at the ICRC headquarters and at Villa Moynier.
These two recurring trainings complement our customised offer and exemplify our long-standing collaboration with the ICRC.
Our customised trainings are designed with maximum flexibility to meet the needs of diverse institutions.
We can deliver:
- Short, focused modules (2–3 days)
- One-week intensive trainings
- Extended programmes of two to three weeks for deeper engagement
- Fully online trainings, enabling participation across time zones
- In-person trainings at the Geneva Academy or directly on-site with partners
- Hybrid formats combining online and in-person components
We adapt duration, structure, methodology, teaching tools and learning materials to ensure the training aligns with institutional priorities, professional schedules and resource constraints.
For information or to request a proposal for a customised training: digital.academy@geneva-academy.ch