Short course Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflicts 2025
This course provides a general introduction to the protection of civilians, with a focus on conflict and post-conflict environments. It provides insight into both theory and practical realities and applies critical thinking to most common concepts, principles, and professional practices.
Information
Period
1 September 2025 - 12 September 20252 ECTS credits
50 Distance teaching hours
Around 50 hours of work for the whole course, including:
20 hours of face-to-face teaching (lectures, case studies, group work)
App. 30 hours of self-study time (readings, writing and group-work)
Language
EnglishFormat
Distance learningRegistration
Registration deadline
10 August 2025Fees:
Total fees: CHF 1鈥�700.-
Deposit: (upon acceptance of admission): CHF 400.-
There is no available scholarship for this programme.
Contribution to the SDGs
Objectives
At the end of the course, you will be able to:
- Discuss the main protection of civilians conceptual frameworks, definitions, principles and related world-level policy issues
- Explain where the protection of civilians lies within the political, peace and security agenda, but also under humanitarian or development action
- Identify and analyse protection actors, threats and risks
- Describe professional protection standards, programming/operations, mechanisms and processes
- Distinguish and assess various protection field strategies
Audience
Professional in the humanitarian, development or social sector looking to develop their competencies in protection norms, policies, doctrines and strategies
Professional of international and regional peace operations, national defence and security forces who wishes to increase their understanding of protection of civilians at institutional and field level
Graduate student with relevant volunteer or intern experience, looking to undertake a postgraduate course with a view to entering the humanitarian sector
Professional of international and regional peace operations, national defence and security forces who wishes to increase their understanding of protection of civilians at institutional and field level
Graduate student with relevant volunteer or intern experience, looking to undertake a postgraduate course with a view to entering the humanitarian sector
Programme
- History and Politics of Protection
- Protection Principles and Operational Realities
- Protection Norms, Policies and Doctrines
- Unveiling Evolving Protection Concepts and Modes of Action
- Introduction to Field Protection Strategies
- Protection Actors and Analysis
- Critical Review of Field-level Protection Action
- Case Studies
Director(s)
Prof. Karl BLANCHET, Geneva Centre of Humanitarian Studies, a joint Centre of the AV短视频 and the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (IHEID), Geneva
Coordinator(s)
Baptiste MARTIN, Geneva Centre of Humanitarian Studies, Geneva
Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflicts, Executive short course, Baptiste Martin
Admission criteria
- AV短视频 qualification (bachelor鈥檚 degree or equivalent)
- At least three years of relevant professional experience
- Excellent command of English
- Motivation working in the humanitarian sector
Application File
- Copy of identity document or passport
- Passport photo (.jpg format)
- Curriculum vitae
- Cover letter (explaining what is the reason why you apply for this course and how will the acquired skills help you in your career)
- Copy of the highest educational qualification obtained
- Copy of work certificate or official document of the current job position
- Proof of English language level
- Employer's funding agreement, if applicable
- Employer's letter of support (recommended)
- Scholarship application form (if applicable). Please refer to
More information about the application process is available on our聽.