A. Background:
The Jean-Pictet Competition is a week long training event on international humanitarian law (IHL) intended for students (undergraduate or above in Law, Political Science, military academies, etc.). It consists in “taking law out of the books”, by simulations and role plays, allowing the jury of the Competition to evaluate teams’ theoretical knowledge and practical understanding of IHL. The situations are founded on a fictitious, but realistic scenario of armed conflict. During the competition, the group dynamics alternate: meetings between the jury and one team, the jury and several teams, between two teams, etc. Participants and the jury have roles which change – for example, Red Cross delegates in the morning and combatants in the afternoon – encouraging the participants to consider the same situation from a variety of perspectives. At the end of each session, the finalists compete in the international final, following which the Jean-Pictet Prize is awarded to the best team.
– 45th edition, English-speaking, Antalya, Türkiye, 8 to 15 February 2025
– 47th edition, English-speaking, Denpasar, Indonesia, 22 February to 1 March 2025
B. Registration:
To register, teams must consist of three students, from the same institution, none of whom has taken part in the Competition before and all of whom should generally be under than 30 years old.
The candidature file is posted on Internet site of the Competition (www.concourspictet.org).
Before submitting your application form, please read the Regulations from the Jean Pictet website: www.concourspictet.org and note the following requirements:
1. The application file must be received by the Administration of the Competition by email at the following address: christophe@concourspictet.org . An acknowledgement of receipt will be sent within 24 hours after receiving the application file; any technical problem must be reported immediately at the above mentioned address.
C. Preparing the Teams:
Each team is accompanied throughout the Competition (before, during and after) by a tutor; they receive learning materials regularly to assist with preparation and to improve their command of IHL (as well as Human Rights Law, Refugee Law…).
All tests during the Competition are conducted orally – no writing is required, other than for the application file.
D) Costs:
For the selected team, the ICRC will cover registration fee and their travel expenses of only one top team from Pakistan. Accommodation and meals are covered by the organizers.
We encourage that a team from your Institution should apply for the Jean Pictet Competition which is a unique and valuable learning experience for students. To participate, teams from various universities worldwide will have to answer some preliminary questions on IHL in writing. Those questions are available on the website of the competition. For further information about the Competition, application procedures and other details please visit the website www.concourspictet.org
Written by
Usman Khan
Legal Advisor, Head of Unit
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
Plot 31, Shabbir Sharif Road, G-11 Markaz
Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel. +92 (0)518842001, Mobile +92 (0) 3008526081, F +92 (0) 512824758
