Alignment with
Standards

The Exploring Humanitarian Law (EHL) lessons and resources have been aligned with national and state standards for social studies, English language arts, and common core. Learn more ▶

Humanitarian Law in the News
From the International Committee of the Red Cross

Syria: The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement condemns the killing of yet another SARC volunteer

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement condemns the killing of Abdo Darwish, a driver with the Al-Hassakeh branch of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent who was shot dead on his way to work on 14 May. read more >

Japan: ICRC president meets Japanese emperor and prime minister

Peter Maurer, the president of the ICRC, today concludes a two-day official visit to Japan, during which he met Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Minister of Defence Itsunori Onodera and Parliamentary Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Masaji Matsuyama. Mr Maurer also met their majesties the emperor and empress at the Imperial Palace. read more >

Visit the ICRC Website

Red Cross Survey Results:

80% of Young Americans Believe More Education is Needed on Rules of War

Professional Development

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2013 Exploring Humanitarian Law Institute for Educators, July 29 — August 1

 

Review our Teacher Trainings around the country

Not sure if a teacher training or workshop is scheduled in your area? Contact your local Red Cross chapter and find out today!

Earn Continuing Education Credits with EHL >

Our teacher trainings help you integrate EHL resources into your lessons and earn Continuing Education Credits at the same time.

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EHL Highlighted in Social Studies Journal

The Exploring Humanitarian Law curriculum is featured in the September 2011 edition of Social Education, the flagship journal of the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS).

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For Students

Impact Your Community and Your World

Go beyond the lessons in EHL to make a difference.

Resources for students

What is Exploring Humanitarian Law?

The Exploring Humanitarian Law curriculum gives teachers easy-to-use materials to help students understand the rules governing war and their impact on human life and dignity. Click here for more information >

Higher Education —
Why teach about IHL?

A recent Red Cross survey tells us that American young people want to learn more about IHL. A growing number of resources are available to support college and university faculty to integrate IHL information into your courses. Click here for more information >

Highlighted Resource

The American Civil War
A Humanitarian Perspective

Lessons and resources for teachers and students

War has been around a long time. So has the spirit of humanitarianism and efforts to limit suffering. Help students connect lessons of the Civil War with issues of today.

Explore - humanitarian acts on both sides of the battlefield

Discover - how today’s basic rules of humanitarian law emerged

Engage - students in exciting hands-on activities to meet humanitarian needs

Inspired by the Exploring Humanitarian Law curriculum, these new lesson plans help educators connect American history to humanitarian law and principles. To download free lesson plans, accompanying activities, photos and other primary source materials click here.

Featured Lesson Plan
Limits in Armed Conflict:Focus on Weapons

Should the use of any weapons be restricted or prohibited in armed conflict?

In Exploration 2D, students explore why there are limits on certain types of weapons that can be used in warfare. Exploration 2E focuses on how the widespread availability of small arms and light weapons is a major threat to civilians in armed conflicts today. Students consider ideas for action to cope with these problems. See the complete lesson plans, accompanying activities, photos, maps and video for 2D and 2E at: http://ehl.redcross.org/curriculum/module2/index.php

See the complete lesson plans >

Highlighted Testimonial
What People Are Saying

"The year before we taught EHL in 8th grade, 67% of our students passed the Social Studies test. Last year, after we built in more EHL-type activities to promote critical thinking, 86% of our students passed the 8th grade test."

Paul Frankmann, 8th Grade Social Studies Teacher More testimonials >