International Humanitarian Law (IHL) is everyone’s concern. In a world where warfare and civil strife are a daily reality for millions, IHL provides a framework for protection for civilians and combatants alike.
The conduct for warfare as embodied by IHL is laid out in the Geneva Conventions of 1949. The American Red Cross has a unique mandate to educate the American public about the guiding principles and IHL framework as it applies to the protection of members of the armed forces including prisoners of war and civilians.
In October, the Santa Cruz County Chapter of the American Red Cross will host a class about the tenants of International Humanitarian Law. The course will employ a variety of tools and strategies to help one view war through the eyes of victims, witnesses and combatants. Photographs, video clips and first-person accounts will show both the horrors of war and the possibilities for relieving suffering. Presented by Red Cross volunteers Diane Bridgeman, Ph.D and Phyllis Cole, this free event will be held Thursday, October 30, 6:00-9:00 PM, at the American Red Cross of Santa Cruz County, 8960 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz CA 95062. Please RSVP by calling 831-462-2881 x10.
