Seminar on IHL and Humanitarian Diplomacy

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A two day seminar on International Humanitarian Law (IHL) & Humanitarian Diplomacy jointly organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute (BIDTI) for officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held on 17th and 18th September, 2022 at the Mövenpick Hotel in Colombo.
Welcoming the participants the Director General Pamela J Deen appreciated the attendance of the senior officials of the Ministry irrespective of the long weekend. She also extended a warm welcome to the Chair of the National IHL Committee of Sri Lanka and the Deputy Legal Advisor Thilani Silva who was representing Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Further, she extended a warm welcome to the new Head of the ICRC delegation in Sri Lanka Severine Chappaz and the Regional Legal Advisor for South Asia George Dvaladze who especially arrived in Sri Lanka for the event.
Director General elaborated the longstanding relationship the BIDTI has with the ICRC and efforts undertaken to educate IHL and Humanitarian Diplomacy in its programmes. Further, she gave details of the four webinars relevant to new technologies and challenges to IHL, jointly organized during the Covid 19 pandemic. In this background, she said that it was envisaged to promote the excellent cooperation enjoyed between the two institutes.
Head of the ICRC delegation in Sri Lanka Severine Chappaz appreciated the cooperation extended by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in organising the seminar soon after her assumption of duties in Sri Lanka. Elaborating the role of the ICRC in attending to humanitarian needs, she mentioned of her intention to work closely with all stakeholders in this regard.
Chair of the National IHL Committee of Sri Lanka and the Deputy Legal Adviser of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Thilanie Silva delivering the opening remarks on behalf of the Secretary of the Ministry, highlighted the importance of learning IHL with the evolution of the technology and also the increased complexity of the cyber warfare.
An introduction to ICRC activities in Sri Lanka presented by the Networking Adviser of the ICRC Sylvester Worthington said that the main idea of the IHL was to protect humanity.
It was encouraging to note the robust interaction participants had with the resource persons demonstrating the importance of the seminar for their profession.
The event concluded with awarding certificates to participants attended.