17th March 2005
The first course in International Humanitarian Law (IHL) was successfully organised in Dubai by the Swiss Academy in cooperation with Dubai Aid City.
"We strongly support partnerships with organisations like the Swiss Academy. One of the major focus points of Dubai Aid City is capacity building in the humanitarian field because we know that highly trained staff will deliver more focused and effective humanitarian services. "said Barbara Castek, Head of Dubai Aid City.
The Swiss Academy provides leadership in the transition of Dubai from a resource-based to a knowledge-based economy in the field of educational knowledge, This also applies in the humanitarian sector
"We highly appreciated the quality and subject of the course" Castek continues. The course was conducted by Urs Stirnimann a legal expert with a long history in teaching IHL in many different universities and having worked as delegate for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in several conflictive areas of the world.
A dozen participants studied during 8 lessons the laws applicable in international and non-international armed conflicts. They learned in particular how civilians must be treated in time of war, the rights of Prisoners of War (POW), how war criminals are prosecuted and the difference between IHL and Human Rights Law. In case studies they trained how to apply the Geneva Conventions. The participants, who successfully passed the final exam, received a diploma from the Swiss Academy.
Members of national and international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and members of diplomatic missions participated. Each participant received a copy of the Geneva Conventions of August 12, 1949 and a script of all lectures. "Also journalists who cover wars, can benefit greatly from such courses," Stirnimann said. Dubai is ideally suited for such courses, where various NGOs have their regional headquarters, and where relief workers make stopovers between their different assignments.
"Such courses are part of the aim of Dubai in becoming a major hub for humanitarian work," said Barbara Castek. She added that further courses are planned for the future. The next course will already start on April 3rd. The website www.swissacademy.ae provides further information about it.
"It is the mission of the Swiss Academy to transfer, integrate and apply knowledge in the areas of finance, trade, tourism, architecture, civil engineering and humanitarian studies from Switzerland to local institutions and entrepreneurs in Dubai," said Dr. Till Stoll, the CEO of Swiss Academy.
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© Press Release 2005
