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Open presentation from Geoff Loane, head of office for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Belfast.

Geoff is responsible for ICRC activities in Northern Ireland and manages relations with the devolved government and a broad range of stakeholders. This lecture is part of the Humanities and Social Science Strategy Global Uncertainties theme.

In the aftermath of the horrors of the Second World War, the 1949 Geneva Conventions provided the international community with a framework for the regulation of behaviours in conflict.

The protections extended to civilians, wounded, sick, detained and especially servicemen hors de combat represented the high water mark for the projection of violence. Armed conflict and violence have persisted ever since, in particular non-international armed conflict.

The overriding images that endure sixty years later are those of the violence to civilians, to detainees and to the medical mission.

A day does not pass without a story on unnecessary violence to civilians; many of which, if true, reflect a serious violation of humanitarian law.

What steps have the international community taken to offer respect of the law? Or to offer protection and assistance to victims of conflict as far afield as Northern Ireland, Syria and Afghanistan?

Do we, as an international community, really achieve that fine balance of respect for the individual and his or her dignity and the interests of national security?

During this talk Geoff Loane will examine the practice of humanitarian action as a means to address these issues and other dilemmas.

For further details about the HASS strategy, please visit our website.