International Humanitarian Law training and events

In this October 2026 seminar, intended as continuing professional development for lawyers practicing in Australia who are advising businesses, government or humanitarian organisations, the Australian Red Cross IHL team, in collaboration with project partner Dr Jonathan Kolieb from RMIT's Business and Human Rights Centre, will: 

• Introduce Navigating Conflict Risks: Integrating International Humanitarian Law into Heightened Human Rights Due Diligence, a practical guidance document developed by Australian Red Cross and RMIT University to help businesses identify, assess and address conflict-related risks through an international humanitarian law (IHL)-informed approach to heightened human rights due diligence. The guidance seeks to bridge the gap between legal principles and practical implementation by providing businesses with a framework to better understand how IHL may be relevant to their operations, supply chains and business relationships in conflict-affected and high-risk areas. While the guidance is not intended to provide legal advice, it highlights issues that businesses should consider and may assist legal practitioners to identify areas where clients require tailored legal advice.
• Highlight the IHL-related aspects of heightened human rights due diligence and equip lawyers advising businesses operating in conflict-affected or high-risk areas with the knowledge and tools to support responsible business conduct and navigate relevant legal risks and obligations.

To register to attend the webinar on 23 October please visit Legal CPD Training: Navigating conflict risk: Integrating International Humanitarian Law into Heightened Human Rights Due Diligence

As this is a legal session delivered by qualified legal experts, practitioners, at their own discretion, may be able to count this session to their CPD where relevant as per their Law Society CPD Guidelines.

This three-day course, delivered in collaboration with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Indo-Pacific Centre for Military Law (IPCML), is designed for a mixed audience of Humanitarian, ADF and Government participants.

The course examines the key bodies of international law that regulate armed conflict and how these bodies of law can be used by practitioners, including in relation to:

• Application of international humanitarian law;
• Protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure;
• Protection of refugees and internally displaced persons;
• Civil-military interaction;
• Contemporary trends and challenges in international law and humanitarian action; and
• Accountability for violations of international law.

The course combines scenario-based learning, panel discussions, workshops and expert presentations by Australian Red Cross, the ADF, academics and NGOs. It provides participants with accessible information to inform their work, making them aware of their own rights and obligations under international law, as well as those of other actors.

The next International Law and Humanitarian Action in Conflict Course will take place in Sydney on 24-26 November 2026. Applications are now open for humanitarian professionals. Please submit your application by 12:00pm on 9 October 2026.

If you are with Defence or Government applications are processed internally. Please contact your manager for application details.

In this March 2026 seminar, intended as continuing professional development for lawyers practicing in Australia who are advising businesses, government or humanitarian organisations, the Australian Red Cross IHL team explore the following: 

• The specific rules around the loss of protection of civilians for such time as they take a direct part in hostiles, the requirement to facilitate rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief, and how legal practitioners can best advise clients who may be operating in conflict zones to comply with international norms and avoid actions that may endanger either themselves or humanitarian personnel. To this end the presentation includes information about the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel.
• The legal frameworks in Australia for counter-terrorism and sanctions, and what legal advisers need to be aware of in order to best advise on their clients’ operations to ensure they do not breach these laws.

As this is a legal session delivered by qualified legal experts, practitioners, at their own discretion, may be able to count this session to their CPD where relevant as per their Law Society CPD Guidelines.