In today’s world, armed conflicts continue to cause devastating impacts on civilians, communities, and countries. Amid this suffering, International Humanitarian Law (IHL) serves as a vital legal framework that protects those who are not, or no longer, participating in hostilities.
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the fundamental principles, sources, and applications of IHL. Participants will explore how IHL governs the conduct of warfare, protects civilians and combatants, and intersects with other areas of international law. Learners will gain the knowledge and skills needed to understand and apply IHL in both international and non-international armed conflicts.
Whether you are a student of law or international relations, a humanitarian or development practitioner, or simply interested in how law functions in times of war, this course will equip you with a critical foundation to engage with humanitarian issues through a legal lens.
Instructor
Mathis Cayuela
Foreign Policy & International Cooperation
Mathis Cayuela is curently serving as a Policy Officer at the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), the world’s largest humanitarian organization. He brings several years of experience in foreign and security policy, with a strong focus on human rights, equality, and international cooperation. Mathis has served with the United Nations at both headquarters (SG) and country office levels, and has worked at the political level within the European Commission.
He holds a Masters of Laws in International and European Law, as well as a Master of Arts in European Public Affairs. In addition to his policy work, he has contributed to research, training, and editorial projects related to politics, law and global governance.
Course Details
12 Lectures
Reading Materials
6 Quizzes
Online
6 Hours
English
What You Will Learn
- Understand the origins, principles, and scope of International Humanitarian Law and its place within the broader framework of international law
- Distinguish IHL from related legal regimes including human rights law and refugee law
- Identify the key actors, instruments, and mechanisms involved in the implementation and enforcement of IHL
- Analyse how IHL applies in both international and non-international armed conflicts through current case studies
- Assess the legal protections afforded to civilians, combatants, humanitarian personnel, and other vulnerable groups
- Navigate the Geneva Conventions, Additional Protocols, and key IHL jurisprudence
- Evaluate the tensions between humanitarian principles, military necessity, and political realities in conflict settings
- Apply IHL principles to real-world scenarios involving the conduct of hostilities, detention, occupation, and humanitarian access
- Connect IHL to broader global issues such as civilian protection, war crimes accountability, and the role of humanitarian actors
Who Is This Course For
This course is ideal for students, practitioners, and professionals interested in international law, humanitarian action, conflict resolution, human rights, or protection work. It is particularly relevant for those pursuing careers in UN agencies, international NGOs, legal advocacy, military or government service, or humanitarian coordination.
Participants will strengthen their legal and analytical skills, deepen their understanding of armed conflict and humanitarian principles, and build a solid foundation for future roles in international humanitarian, legal, or diplomatic fields.
Course Content
Tuition Fee
The total tuition fee for the programme is €75. This fee includes:
- Unlimited Access: Full access to all pre-recorded video lectures and downloadable reading materials.
- Certification: A Professional Certificate of Completion (awarded upon passing the final assessment).
Duration and Fornat
The programme is 100% online and self-paced, allowing you to fit learning around your schedule.
- Time Commitment: The curriculum is designed to be completed in approximately 5-6 hours, including video lectures, reading materials, and quizzes.
- Flexibility: There are no fixed login times or deadlines. You can start immediately and progress through the material at your own speed.
Assessment & Certification
To ensure mastery of the material, the programme includes a structured assessment path:
- Module Quizzes: A multiple-choice quiz at the end of each module to test your understanding.
- Final Exam: A comprehensive final quiz covering the entire syllabus.
- The Certificate: To receive your Certificate of Completion, you must achieve a pass mark of at least 60% in each of the assessments.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for this programme, you must fulfil the following criteria:
- English Proficiency: B1/B2 (Intermediate) level is recommended to fully understand the terminology.
- Motivation: A genuine interest in understanding the course topic.
- Technical: A stable internet connection to stream high-definition video lectures.
Related Courses
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Human Rights Monitoring Methodologies: An Introductory Guide to Fact-Finding, Documentation, and Advocacy
Learn practical tools and methodologies for monitoring, documenting, and reporting human rights violations in the field.
European Law & Policy-Making
Master the EU institutional ecosystem, legislative procedures, and legal order — from trilogues to the acquis communautaire.
FAQ
To enrol in the programme, simply click on the “Enroll” button located on the course page. This will take you to the checkout page where you can fill out the required information and proceed with the payment to complete your enrollment.
Payment for the programme can be made by clicking on the “Enroll” button and proceeding to checkout. We use safe and secure payment technologies to ensure the security of your payment information.
The core video modules and reading materials take approximately 4-5-6 hours to complete.
No. The programme is entirely self-paced. You can start whenever you like and take as much time as you need to complete the lectures.
Our programme offers a unique advantage as it is taught by industry experts who bring real-world experience and insights to the learning process. This ensures that the content is relevant, up-to-date, and of the highest quality.
Absolutely. We encourage you to list the programme under “Education” or “Certifications”.
The quizzes are designed to reinforce learning, not to catch you out. You will need a 60% pass rate to generate your certificate, but you can retake the quizzes if necessary to improve your score.
You will have lifetime access to the programme materials, allowing you to study at your own pace and revisit the content whenever you need to.
We offer a money-back guarantee if you are not satisfied with the programme. If you wish to cancel your enrollment, please contact us at info@eugovlab.com within 3 days of enrollment for a full refund.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please feel free to contact us at info@eugovlab.com. Our team is here to help and will respond to your inquiry promptly.
Course Includes
- 6 Lessons
- 16 Topics
- 6 Assessments
- Course Certificate