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Conferences, Trainings and Events

A group of people sit at a desk in a conference room.The Canadian Red Cross helps disseminate International Humanitarian Law (IHL) to government bodies, the armed forces, academia, policy makers, teachers and youth.  We hold a number of events across the country to help educate Canadians on the importance of IHL and to foster dialogue on contemporary challenges and debates. 
 

Summer course on international humanitarian law

Three people pose for a photo smiling, at a IFRC conventionEach year, the Canadian Red Cross, in partnership with the Center for Research and Education on Human Rights at the University of Ottawa, offers a course allowing students and professionals to
learn the fundamental principles of IHL
and to put these notions into practice by exploring realistic case studies. 

 

Academic conferences

One of our key objectives is to raise public awareness of the importance of IHL and its application as well as to encourage discussions on this chapter. Through conferences organized at Canadian universities across the country, the Canadian Red Cross engages in dialogue with professors, students and legislators on various issues related to IHL, and stays on the lookout for contemporary trends, challenges and debates.

 

List of Events

Kids walking and standing near tents outside
Photo: by John Spaull © ICRC

September 2026: Humanitarian Education Training at Ottawa U Faculty of Ed

This full day training, available to high school teachers and Teacher Candidates in Ontario, is facilitated by Canadian Red Cross legal experts and humanitarian practitioners from the field alongside teachers currently implementing H.Ed lessons in their classrooms. Subject matter experts walk teachers through FREE ready to use lessons about humanitarian issues and International Humanitarian Law. Lessons complement subjects such as global issues, social studies, history, law, civics and language arts. Curriculum maps can be requested for most subject areas.

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A damaged ambulance vehicle
Photo: Abed Shana'a / ICRC

April 15, 2026: IHL Conference in Montreal (in French only)

The annual Quebec conference on international humanitarian law (IHL), organized by the IEIM and the Canadian Red Cross, will focus on conflicts in the Middle East. The current military escalation in the Middle East raises serious humanitarian concerns. Since the outbreak of hostilities, humanitarian and medical personnel have come under attack, threatening the delivery of essential supplies and food necessary for the survival of civilians.

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A family of five is walking down the street, along with several other civilians.
Photo: Al Baba © ICRC

March 27th, 2026: New Brunswick IHL Conference

The University of New Brunswick Faculty of Law’s International Law Society, in collaboration with the International Humanitarian Law team at the Canadian Red Cross, will host the 20th annual International Humanitarian Law Conference, with this year’s theme: Protection of Civilians During Armed Conflict. This FREE conference will be hosted in English and in person on Friday, March 27th, 2026, in Fredericton, New Brunswick. The conference is open to all students and professionals.

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An ICRC boat helping out a smaller boad at sea
Photo: Ezz Zanoun, ICRC/CICR

March 9th, IHL Conference in Halifax

The John E. Read International Law Society and the Schulich School of Law of Dalhousie University are partnering with the International Humanitarian Law team at the Canadian Red Cross to host this year’s IHL Conference on Humanitarian Assistance at Sea. This FREE conference will be hosted in English and in person on Monday, March 9th, 2026, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The conference is open to all students, professionals, and community members.

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