IHL Youth Action Campaign
IHL Youth Action Campaign
Engaging the next generation to protect humanity in war.
Engaging the next generation to protect humanity in war.
Engaging the next generation to protect humanity in war.
Engaging the next generation to protect humanity in war.
War has real consequences for people caught in the crossfire. International Humanitarian Law (IHL) places basic limits on how war is waged, helping protect those in harm’s way. The IHL Youth Action Campaign informs youth and young adults about the rules of armed conflict and empowers them to educate their community about international humanitarian law through peer-to-peer campaigns.
Clara Barton
The IHL Youth Action Campaign is a free program for teens and young adults (ages 13-24). It teaches participants about the laws of war and provides them with the tools to spread awareness in their community through engaging, creative campaigns.
First, the participants sign up as volunteers and complete their training with the American Red Cross to learn the basics. Then, they create a campaign to help others understand why these rules matter. It’s a fun way to educate, inspire, and make a real impact!
Each year, the IHL Youth Action Campaign introduces a brand-new theme that explores a different, thought-provoking aspect of international humanitarian law.
This annual theme is woven into the training materials and activities, giving participants a fresh perspective on how the laws of war apply to real-world issues.
The IHL Youth Action Campaign is an excellent way for JROTC teams to give back to their communities while learning about international humanitarian law through outreach programs they create and run.
Education
This campaign is an excellent community engagement opportunity, allowing participants to develop knowledge about International Humanitarian Law through an expertly-developed curriculum and help raise awareness of global issues.
Engagement
As a participant, you will use your own voice to inform others about IHL and the key protections it offers humanity during armed conflict. From in-person interactions to social media efforts, your creativity and passion will build a campaign to spread awareness and appreciation for IHL.
Growth
Participants will cultivate essential skills, including: leadership, personal responsibility, critical thinking and public speaking. The knowledge gained through this experience will help you develop into future leaders in IHL.
The Annual IHL Youth Summit is the culminating event of the IHL Youth Action Campaign year. Each Spring, a select number of outstanding IHL YAC Ambassadors are invited to Washington, D.C. on a fully-funded trip that develops their personal skills, grows their network, and expands their knowledge of IHL.
Summit participants are selected from IHL YAC Ambassadors around the world by a panel of Red Cross professionals based on the dedication, creativity and execution of their campaign. This incredible opportunity reflects one of the highest honors within the IHL YAC program and is a significant achievement for attendees.
I was born in Afghanistan. I saw war. I saw how the application of international humanitarian law works in a wartime, and how it's violated. I see this opportunity to inspire other advocates and educate other advocates about the importance of international humanitarian law.
2023 IHL YAC Intern and Lead Advocate Payman Rajae
Register as a Red Cross Volunteer
If you are interested in promoting IHL in your community by participating in the IHL Youth Action Campaign program, you can apply for the program between August and December using the steps below:
Get Trained
Once registered, participants will take four required online trainings covering an overview of the Red Cross Movement, IHL Fundamentals, and annual thematic topic and how to build a successful campaign. Trainings are self guided and can be taken at your own pace as long as they are ocmpleted by the January 1 deadline.
Design an Outreach Campaign
Using the knowledge gained from the training, you will design an educational outreach campaign to help raise awareness about IHL. Participants are encouraged to think big, using their creativity and ingenuity to reach others in impactful ways. Past campaigns have included a range of creative activities, ranging from public speaking engagements to designing informational pamphlets and wide-reaching social media campaigns.
Execute your Campaign!
Participants then carry out their outreach campaign to raise awareness about the rules of war. Although most people carry out their campaigns during the spring academic semester (January to March), you are free to conduct your campaign at any time before the competition ends in the Spring.
The YAC program has been the most worthwhile program I've ever been part of. It has introduced me to so many amazing people and has sparked a passion for International Humanitarian Law that will never go away.
2024 YAC Intern Camarie Irmen
The IHL Youth Action Campaign is an excellent way for JROTC teams to give back to their communities while learning about international humanitarian law through outreach programs they create and run.
The campaign schedule aligns with the September to June academic year.
Most IHL YAC volunteers work through their training in the fall and then conduct their campaigns during the spring semester.
Time commitments vary based on the nature of the campaign. Time commitments vary based on the nature of the campaign. A YAC Ambassador's time investment is typically reflective of their own capacity along with factors unique to their community (e.g. school size).
In a typical campaign, IHL YAC Ambassadors execute a variety of educational activities to promote awareness about IHL and the annual theme. They track their engagements as in-person, live virtual, and social media content and report their progress with their end of campaign summary report.
Each year, the IHL Youth Action Campaign introduces a brand-new theme that explores a different, thought-provoking aspect of international humanitarian law. This annual theme is woven into the training materials and activities, giving participants a fresh perspective on how the laws of war apply to real-world issues.
Curious about what this year's focus is? Click the button below to uncover the current theme and see how you can bring it to life through your own campaign!
Participants learned about the destructive potential of nuclear weapons and the threat they pose to humanity. From the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki to devastating nuclear weapons tests and international efforts to stop the spread of nuclear weapons, participants gained broad knowledge about this complex issue.
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From historic sites like the Great Pyramids or Mount Rushmore to precious artifacts, participants learned how IHL helps protect items and places of cultural significance across the globe.
Conflict can worsen the environment, and the environment can worsen conflict. Protecting the natural environment is important for many reasons including: limiting disruptions to national economies and people within them, preventing increases in extreme weather, preserving natural systems that provide food and water resources, and limiting an important factor that contributes to conflict.