AV短视频

Law

Short course The Legal Protection of Water in Armed Conflicts 2025

Enhancing understanding and implementation of regulations protecting water in armed conflicts
Download brochure
Microcertification

Information

Period

14 October 2025 - 9 December 2025
3 ECTS credits
90 Distance teaching hours

Language

English

Format

Distance learning

Contact

Monica NUNEZ
monica.nunez(at)unige.ch

Registration

Registration deadline

30 September 2025

Fees:

CHF 600

Contribution to the SDGs

Objectives

  • Define the key principles and norms of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) related to the protection of water in armed conflicts.
  • Understand how human rights law and mechanisms may complement the protection of water under IHL.
  • Appy the concepts of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide to the protection of water in armed conflicts.

Audience

Professionals from the humanitarian, peace and development sectors, military or government officials (including diplomats, technical and scientific specialists), international organisation staff, civil society representatives, academics, and professionals from the private sector working in conflict-affected areas.

Learning outcomes

At the end of the online course, the participants are able to:

  • Identify and use key instruments and principles of international humanitarian law, human rights law and international criminal law for the protection of water during armed conflicts.
  • Interpret and apply the legal instruments, principles and norms of international humanitarian law, human rights law and international criminal law to support the establishment of peace at the end of hostilities.
  • Explain the current legal developments of human rights law in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and contribute to the application and interpretation of instruments of international humanitarian law and international criminal law in light of the human right to a clean and sustainable healthy environment.
  • Develop legal skills for sharing the understanding of the legal protection of water with communities affected by armed conflicts.
  • Promote exchange of the knowledge between actors working in the peace, development and humanitarian sectors.

Programme

3 modules:

  • The Protection of Water in International Humanitarian Law (3 weeks)
  • Using Human Rights Law and Mechanisms to Protect Water in Armed Conflicts (3 weeks)
  • The Protection of Water under International Criminal Law (3 weeks)

Director(s)

Dr Mara TIGNINO, Faculty of Law, AV短视频

Coordinator(s)

Monica NU脩EZ, Geneva Water Hub
Water is increasingly a collateral victim of armed conflicts. The impacts of the destruction or damage to water infrastructure, the intentional or non-intentional pollution of a river, or a groundwater resource go well beyond the end of the hostilities: they affect the life, dignity, and health of civilians in the short and long term and have cumulative impacts over the time. This online short course aims to address a knowledge gap by providing a specific course on the protection of our most precious resource.

Assessment

Assessment at the end of each module and final case study

Pedagogical method

Teaching methods will be varied and will include written modules, videos and webinars. Summative assessments include quizzes and a case study.聽The trainers will ensure that the skills and knowledge acquired are transferable in a professional environment. The relationships established with the training participants will make it possible to analyse the effects of the programme.

This training is designed for full-time professionals and will take place over 10 weeks. On average, study time is 15 hours/week. As this is asynchronous online training, participants have free access at any time to the learning materials and training activities. However, group or synchronous activities (webinars and video conferences) will take place on days set out in the course program. At the end of module 3, participants must respond to an end-of-course case study.聽

Admission criteria

  • A recognised university degree (Bachelor鈥檚, Master鈥檚, Ph.D or equivalent).
  • Two years of relevant professional experience related to the humanitarian, peace or development sector.
  • Fluency in English (reading, written and oral).
  • Applicants must have a computer and a reliable internet connection for the duration of the programme. They must possess basic computer skills such as navigating the Internet and using Microsoft Word.

Steering committee

  • Dr Mara TIGNINO, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Law, AV短视频 and Senior International Law Specialist, Geneva Water Hub
  • Dr Caroline PELLATON, Operations Director, Geneva Water Hub.
  • Mr Gian Luca BERUTO, Secretary-General, International Institute for Humanitarian Law.

Application File

  • Applicants must submit a CV and a cover letter explaining why the knowledge of the legal protection of water in armed conflicts is relevant to their work and how it will be applied to聽their professional duties.
  • Applicants asking for partial or full scholarship must explain the reasons for the request in their motivation letter.

Detailed fees

CHF 600

Full and partial scholarships are available for participants residing in non-OECD countries.

Collaboration

The online course on the Legal Protection of Water in Armed Conflicts has been developed jointly by the Geneva Water Hub and the International Institute for Humanitarian Law

Contribution to the SDGs