2nd Course on International Humanitarian Law and Children in Armed Conflict by IIHL at Sanremo, Italy (26-30 October 2026; Apply by 16 October 2026)

The International Institute of Humanitarian Law (IIHL), based at Villa Ormond in Sanremo, Italy, runs the 2nd Course on International Humanitarian Law and Children in Armed Conflict from 26 to 30 October 2026. It is an international training programme on the protection of children in armed conflict, developed by the Institute's Special Projects Department together with the Universities Network for Children in Armed Conflict (UNETCHAC).

The course covers the application of the existing international provisions protecting children, the interplay of different bodies of law (IHL, IHRL, Refugee Law and others) on the field, prevention strategies for crimes against children, the monitoring and reporting duties of governments and other actors, and accountability against impunity.

• Monday 26 October: Introduction to IHL and Children in Armed Conflict, an overview of IHL, IHRL and other relevant treaties, and an introduction to the Children and Armed Conflict Agenda, followed by a group exercise and welcome cocktail.
• Tuesday 27 October: Recruitment of Children and their Use in Hostilities, with a session on engaging with armed actors and a scenario-based exercise.
• Wednesday 28 October: Protection of Children during Military Operations, covering rules on conduct of hostilities, civil-military cooperation, and children's vulnerability to military AI, new technologies and weapons.
• Thursday 29 October: Detention, Displacement and Family Tracing, with a scenario-based exercise and social dinner.
• Friday 30 October: Accountability and Prosecution, including a guided case law review on ICL enforcement, then the closing ceremony.

Listed speakers include Fausto Pocar (President, UNETCHAC; Honorary President, IIHL), Paolina Massidda (Office of Public Counsel for Victims, ICC), Federica Sola (UN Liaison Office of the Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict) and faculty from the University of Milan. Sessions run between 9:00 am and 4:30 pm local time from Monday to Thursday; on Friday the closing ceremony runs from 12:15 to 12:45 pm, followed by the farewell lunch.

The official page states: "The course is addressed to governments officials, military officers, staff of international intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations, civil society organisations, law enforcement officers, humanitarians, academics, and any other category of practitioners professionally interested in the topic." A preliminary overall knowledge of the basics of public international law is preferable.

No nationality restriction is stated, and the registration form lists Indian among the nationalities. Applicants are evaluated on criteria such as the quality of the CV, learning needs, current position and affiliation, country of origin and motivation, and every applicant receives a response.

Participation fee: EUR 1,200, to be remitted before the start of the course by bank transfer. The course page says Visa and Mastercard are also accepted on the Institute's website; the General Information document also lists PayPal.

The fee includes collective transfer from and to Nice Airport (France), available 2 days before and 2 days after the course; lunches and coffee breaks on working days; a group picture; the welcome cocktail; course materials; the official course dinner; and the certificate. The course page does not mention scholarships; the General Information document says no scholarships or financial aid are provided unless the course page states otherwise.

• Cancellation received more than 14 full days before the course begins: no liability (bank charges may apply).
• Cancellation received 8 to 14 full days before the course begins: 50% of the participation fee.
• Cancellation received within 7 full days of the course: 100% of the participation fee.

The course is conducted in English and simultaneous translation is not provided. The official Certificate is released to participants who attend the course in full, including live and self-paced sessions, and who submit all mandatory assignments and self-evaluation tests within the set deadlines.

For participants who need a visa, the Institute provides a letter confirming registration to the relevant embassy once the fee is paid. The visa application itself is the participant's responsibility, so apply early once your participation is confirmed.

Submit the online Registration Form linked on the official course page by 16 October 2026. Queries on registration and administrative questions go to eleonora.tranquillo@iihl.org.