The course is designed to build practitioners awareness of the core International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and Protection of Civilian Principles which can appear complex in a practical setting. The RedR Australia training team was engaged to support the practical learning in the course including a simulation exercise for the cohort of 70 participants. RedR Australia trainer Mark Gossage remarked-

"Although we share a common goal of protecting civilians in conflict, the distinct nature of our roles—whether military, police, or humanitarian—presents unique and often complex challenges in the practical application of IHL."

The interactive and simulation exercises were designed to reinforce learning and critical thinking, encouraging participants to apply the principles of IHL to a potential scenario involving the evacuation of civilians from a conflict zone. Participants from police, military, and civilian agencies navigated a series of decision points, designed to pique their perspectives on the practical application of IHL. The activity sparked discussion and deliberation, and ultimately learning about how different stakeholders interpret IHL in practice.

Mark explained, "This activity aimed to challenge participants to explore the complexities and nuances of applying IHL and protecting civilians in conflict from the perspectives of other actors. By fostering this understanding, we hope to enhance our ability to navigate shared operational spaces effectively, despite our differing mandates, in real-world scenarios."

The sessions were well-received and are expected to be a valuable investment in promoting best practices among stakeholders.

For more information about training opportunities visit www.redr.org.au/training

Or you can reach out to our training team – [email protected]

References: ACMC course considers evolution of Protection of Civilians | ACMC -