Experts - The Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights

Vincent Bernard

Senior Policy Advisor at the International Code of Conduct Association (ICoCA)

Areas of expertise

International Humanitarian Law, Policy and Action

Vincent Bernard has extensive experience in researching, teaching and promoting humanitarian law, policy and action. His main areas of interest include research and innovations in regulating private security companies; humanitarian law and policy, multi-disciplinary approaches to the prevention of war crimes; new approaches to philanthropy etc.

He is currently a Senior Policy Advisor at the International Code of Conduct Association (ICoCA), developing a research and policy agenda on private security. He is also teaching a class on generating respect for the law in war at the Geneva Graduate Institute.

Vincent Bernard worked in humanitarian operations in West and East Africa and in the Middle East for 6 years at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Moving to Geneva, he was ICRC’s Head of communication for Africa before heading up global field communication, working in most of todays’ conflict zones to develop acceptance and respect for humanitarian law and operations.

For 10 years he was editor in chief of the International Review of the Red Cross, the leading academic journal on humanitarian law, policy and action, published by the ICRC and Cambridge University Press. He also led the ICRC Law and Policy Forum, creating innovative tools and approaches in teaching, researching and debating humanitarian issues.

Vincent Bernard studied political science, law, international relations and strategic philanthropy at the Political Science Institute and Law Faculty in Strasburg, The King’s College in London, the Graduate Institute and the University of Geneva. He taught international law and political sciences at the University of Marmara in Istanbul before joining the humanitarian sector.

Humanitarian Skills: Humanitarian Advocacy, Communication and Negotiation

This course offers the opportunity for students to prepare for their entry into the humanitarian and human rights professional sector. Students will get an overview of the evolution and composition of the sector, the main areas of professional activities as well as an introduction to some key professional competencies in IOs/NGOs.