10th International Disaster Law Course

Register here for hybrid participation

Register here for online only participation

Disasters are among the largest threats to human security and development the world is facing today. Is international law stepping up? Are humanitarian actors, international/national institutions and scholars ready to face legal and institutional challenges raised by disasters caused by natural hazards or human activities? This hybrid specialised course will provide participants with a comprehensive overview of the existing international provisions and key regulatory issues related to the prevention and management of disasters, including through a residential workshop focusing on the challenges they pose and how they are addressed in the European context.

Structure & Methodology

Through a mixture of online and on-site lectures, practical exercises, self-assessment tools and interactive group works, the course, organised by the Special Projects Department of the Sanremo Institute in collaboration with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Disaster Law and the Italian Red Cross, will provide a dynamic and tailored learning environment to all participants.

The course offers 2 different attendance options (please refer to the following paragraphs to better understand the differences in terms of content and learning experience. Please also consider that different registration fees are applicable according to the preferred option):

• Online foundation training: 3 - 17 October Opening session + 6 thematic modules (3 per week), each including:
  • One live session (120min)
  • One complementary self-paced session consisting of extra materials and exercises
• Full course: 3-30 October. Two-week online Foundation Training, 3-17 October + one-week Self-paced Module on EU Basics, 20-24 October + 4-day on-site Specialised Workshop on EU Disaster Law, 27-30 October*, including:
  • Thematic lectures
  • Interactive exercises
  • Group work on real-life scenarios
  • Certificate awarding ceremony

*Participation to the on-site specialized workshop only may be granted upon request and after a careful evaluation of the application from the organizers.

Content

The online section of the course (Foundation Training) will address a wide range of topics including basics of international and regional disaster law, the interplay between Disaster Law, Human Rights and IHL, the overall legal framework of Disaster Risk Prevention, and an introduction to Disaster Response and Management.

The on-site section of the course will then focus on the regional dimension of Disaster Law in Europe, addressing issues of utmost importance such as the interplay between IDL and EU Law; EU policies & standards in Disaster Risk Reduction, Prevention and Preparedness; Disaster Response and Management strategies and practices at the EU level; and the EU external action in the Disasters domain, with specific reference to humanitarian aid and collaborations between the EU and other regional and international entities.

Learning objectives

Throughout the preliminary online section of the course (Foundation Training), participants will:

• Gain a deeper understanding of the international legal framework and specifically to legal instruments applicable to disaster governance activities, recognizing its significance in preventing, managing, and responding to humanitarian emergencies;
• Enhance their awareness of the interaction between Disaster Law and Human Rights Law, Refugee Law, International Humanitarian Law;
• Obtain a comprehensive overview of the rules, general principles, and strategies in Disaster Risk Prevention, Response, and Management, also in light of their interaction with Climate Change Adaptation frameworks;
• Better understand the role of the different actors and organisations involved in disaster governance and relief operations, as well as their interplay in crisis areas, with particular reference to civil-military cooperation and the role of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and other relevant institutions;
• Develop a clear understanding of the coordination challenges in humanitarian response and the importance of the cluster approach against specific types of disasters.

The on-site section of the course (Specialised Workshop) will then delve into the European regional dimension of the subject, with the following learning objectives:

• Learn how disasters are addressed at the European level, focusing on the complementarity of international and EU provisions;
• Expand participants' knowledge of the main EU internal strategies, policies, and standards in Disaster Risk Reduction, Prevention, Preparedness, Response, and Management;
• Develop a deep understanding of how the EU operates internationally, particularly in humanitarian cooperation and aid;
• Practice implementing international and EU rules and principles through real-life scenarios and case studies to be addressed both individually and in working groups;
• Train in an international, neutral environment that promotes cooperation and the exchange of experiences among professionals from various institutions, backgrounds, sectors (public and private), and countries.

Faculty

Speakers will include the three co-directors of the Course: Giulio Bartolini (Professor of International Law at Roma Tre University and Editor-in-Chief of the Yearbook of International Disaster Law), Isabelle Granger (Global Lead, Disaster Law and Auxiliary Role, IFRC), and Grega Grobovsek (Legal and Policy Officer at European Commission, DG-ECHO), as well as high-level distinguished experts.

The course is coordinated by Mr. Edoardo Gimigliano, Coordinator of the Special Projects Department of the Sanremo Insitute, and Dr. Tommaso Natoli, Head of Humanitarian Diplomacy and IHL at the Italian Red Cross and IFRC Disaster Law Focal Point for Europe

Target audience

The target audience includes governmental and military personnel, international and regional organisations staff, personnel from different NGOs, Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies, academics, civil protection officers, international lawyers, legal advisors, graduate and post-graduate students with interest in humanitarian assistance and disaster management issues.