New in 2008, HPCR International offers a Professional Certificate in Humanitarian Law and Policy for mid-career professionals seeking advanced proficiency in addressing international humanitarian law and policy dilemmas.

Offering a flexible program of study, the Certificate is an extension of HPCR's individual training courses intended for applicants from government, intergovernmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, military, media outlets, and the private sector with prior exposure to humanitarian affairs.

On completion of the Certificate, participants will acquire a comprehensive understanding of international humanitarian law, fluency in contemporary policy challenges, and familiarity with the relationship between major scholarly debates and challenges to practice.

Objective

As international organizations and government agencies expand activities in conflict zones, the capacity to interpret and respond to challenging legal questions is proving increasingly critical to policymakers working in a variety of international contexts. Knowledge of the vocabulary, principles, and potential gaps within these frameworks provides policymakers and practitioners with the legal and analytical tools to enhance the impact of their work.

Participation in the Professional Certificate enables professionals to join an active community of senior practitioners, providing options for on-line and on-site training, as well as regular engagements with faculty between trainings, and access to electronic resources.

With original curriculum developed by the Program on Humanitarian Policy and Conflict Research at Harvard University, HPCR's advanced training program is recognized as an authoritative asset. To date, more than 300 participants have attended these advanced trainings. With many holding critical positions in government and humanitarian agencies, the concepts and skills developed in HPCR trainings apply directly to daily work.

Certificate Requirements

Participants seeking the Professional Certificate must complete:

• HPCR International's core training on advanced principles of humanitarian law and policy
• Any two thematic workshops
• A proficiency exam, offered after the core training to demonstrate basic proficiency in IHL; and
• A brief PowerPoint presentation (to be presented over the web or by telephone, as agreed with the organizers) on the application of international humanitarian law related to the participant's own professional work after completing the second thematic workshop

In 2008-2009, the core training will be offered in three locations. Participants enrolling in the Professional Certificate program will have the option to select among six thematic workshops. For a complete list of course offerings, please see IHL trainings.

Upon completion of the requirements, participants will be awarded the Professional Certificate by HPCR International.

Enrollment

Professional Certificates are awarded at no additional costs to participants. Individuals interested in enrolling in the Professional Certificate should apply to a core training session. All core training participants may apply to the certification program by completing the proficiency exam offered at the end of each core training session. As always, participants may take core training and thematic workshops without seeking a Professional Certificate.

Candidates who completed an advanced training on international humanitarian law with HPCR prior to 2008 may use this previous training to satisfy the core training (and proficiency exam) requirement for the Professional Certificate in Humanitarian Law and Policy. These candidates should simply apply to a thematic workshop, notifying HPCR International of their interest in completing the requirements for the Professional Certificate.