Event information

25 October 2021, 19:00-20:30

A Tale of Two Cities: Humanitarian Affairs and Multilateralism in New York and Geneva

Geneva Academy Talks

UNSC Session on Yemen UNSC Session on Yemen

19:00–20:30 (CET), 13:00–14:30 (EST)

This IHL Talk co-organized with the International Peace Institute (IPI) will take place on the first day of the International Law Week of the 76th session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly. It will aim at contrasting approaches to, and decision-making on, humanitarian affairs in the relevant multilateral fora in New York and Geneva.

UN headquarters and other significant international organizations in Geneva and New York have each developed their own multilateral DNA. Each organization influences different – and sometimes concentric – (geo)political and humanitarian spheres. While diplomatic work in New York is focused on the maintenance of international peace and security, in Geneva it appears to be more focused on the promotion of human rights. However, there is more than meets the eye – especially when it comes to international humanitarian law, humanitarian policy, and humanitarian action.

This IHL Talk aims at building bridges between sometimes disconnected multilateral fora in the area of humanitarian affairs. It will highlight convergent interests and identify opportunities for better collaboration between agencies and organizations in light of ever-increasing humanitarian needs.

Opening Remarks

  • Emilie Max, Researcher, Geneva Academy

Moderator

  • Agathe Sarfati, Policy Analyst, International Peace Institute

Panelists

  • Verity Robson, International Legal Adviser, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom
  • Diarra Dime-Labille, Legal Adviser, Permanent Mission of France to the United Nations in New York
  • Ezequiel Heffes, Senior Policy and Legal Adviser, Geneva Call
  • Akshaya Kumar, Crisis Advocacy Director, Human Rights Watch

About IHL Talks

The IHL Talks are a series of events, hosted by the Geneva Academy, on international humanitarian law and current humanitarian topics. Every two months, academic experts, practitioners, policymakers and journalists discuss burning humanitarian issues and their regulation under international law.

Video

A Tale of Two Cities: Humanitarian Affairs and Multilateralism in New York and Geneva

in this IHL Talk co-organized with the International Peace Institute (IPI) took place on the first day of the International Law Week of the 76th session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly. It aimed at contrasting approaches to, and decision-making on, humanitarian affairs in the relevant multilateral fora in New York and Geneva.

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

neurodata graphics News

New Research Brief Evaluates the Effectiveness of GDPR in Mitigating Risks Associated with the Distinctive Nature of Neurodata

21 January 2025

Our recent research brief, Neurodata: Navigating GDPR and AI Act Compliance in the Context of Neurotechnology, examines how effectively GDPR addresses the unique risks posed by neurodata.

Read more

ICRC Conference Booth News

Challenging Preconceptions About International Humanitarian Law

13 November 2024

At the 34th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, we hosted a booth with Geneva Call and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway.

Read more

Event

Strengths and Challenges of Inter-State Applications Before the European Court of Human Rights

22 May 2025, 18:30-20:00

In this Geneva Academy Talk Judge Lətif Hüseynov will discuss the challenges of inter-State cases under the ECHR, especially amid rising conflict-related applications.

Read more

Asian workers working at technology production factory with industrial machines Training

Business and Human Rights

19-23 May 2025

This training course will examine how the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights have been utilized to advance the concept of business respect for human rights throughout the UN system, the impact of the Guiding Principles on other international organizations, as well as the impact of standards and guidance developed by these different bodies.

Read more

A general view of participants during of the 33nd ordinary session of the Human Rights Council. Training

The Universal Periodic Review and the UN Human Rights System: Raising the Bar on Accountability

10-14 November 2025

This training course will explore the origin and evolution of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and its functioning in Geneva and will focus on the nature of implementation of the UPR recommendations at the national level.

Read more

First annual conference of the Geneva Human Rights Platform Project

The Annual Conference of the Geneva Human Rights Platform

Started in June 2019

Read more

Neutrotechology Project

Neurotechnology and Human Rights

Started in August 2023

This project addresses the human rights implications stemming from the development of neurotechnology for commercial, non-therapeutic ends, and is based on a partnership between the Geneva Academy, the Geneva University Neurocentre and the UN Human Rights Council Advisory Committee. 

Read more

Cover of the publication Publication

Briefing N° 25: Localizing Multilateralism

published on March 2025

Domenico Zipoli, Ludovica Chiussi Curzi, Kamelia Kemileva

Read more

Cover page of the working paper Publication

AI Decoded: Key Concepts and Applications of Artificial Intelligence for Human Rights and SDG Monitoring

published on January 2025

Milica Mirkovic, Jennifer Victoria Scurrell

Read more