What you will learn
- Explain the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence, and apply them to real dilemmas.
- Know the essential rules of international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers.
- Describe the humanitarian system (actors, coordination, funding) and the Sphere and CHS quality standards.
Course information
- Level
- Beginner
- Study time
- 12 hours over 2 days (lessons, case studies, exercises)
- Format
- Online, at your own pace, free and unlimited access
- Assessment
- Daily quizzes + final exam of 20 randomly drawn questions (30 min, pass mark 70%)
- Credential
- Named, numbered certificate of achievement, verifiable online (QR code)
- Reference frameworks
- Sphere Association · CHS Alliance, Groupe URD, Sphere · ICRC
Programme
- Day1Humanitarian principles and international humanitarian lawWhat is humanitarian action? · The four humanitarian principles · International humanitarian law (IHL) · Everyday dilemmas Scenario: The convoy and the checkpoint
- Day2The humanitarian system and quality standardsThe actors · Coordination and the programme cycle · Funding · The standards: Sphere and the CHS Scenario: First day at the cluster meeting
- Final assessment and certificate20 questions · 70% to pass · 3 attempts per 24 hours
Who is it for?
Anyone starting out in humanitarian work or wishing to work in the sector: students, new NGO employees, national staff, volunteers, professionals changing careers.
The certificate
With at least 70% correct answers in the final assessment, you receive a certificate in your name, with a unique code that recruiters can verify on Humanitaires Jobs. A free Members area account is required.
Key concepts
The vocabulary you need to master for this course and the exam.
- Humanitarian principles
- Humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence, enshrined in United Nations General Assembly resolutions 46/182 and 58/114.
- International humanitarian law (IHL)
- Rules that limit the effects of armed conflict: protection of people who are not taking part in hostilities and restrictions on the means of warfare.
- Internally displaced person (IDP)
- A person forced to flee who has not crossed an international border.
- Localisation
- Strengthening the role, capacities and direct funding of local and national actors.
- Nexus
- Linking humanitarian action, development and peacebuilding.
- Do No Harm
- Analysis of the possible negative effects of aid, particularly on tensions and power relations.
- Humanitarian space
- An environment that allows humanitarian actors to reach populations and act in accordance with the principles.
- Accountability
- The responsible use of power: informing, involving and being answerable to affected people.
References and recommended reading
The official texts and sector reference works on which the course is based.
- Sphere Association (2018). The Sphere Handbook: Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Humanitarian Response. spherestandards.org/fr/manuel-2018
- CHS Alliance, Groupe URD, Sphere (2024). Core Humanitarian Standard on Quality and Accountability (CHS). www.corehumanitarianstandard.org
- ICRC (1977). The Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Additional Protocols. www.icrc.org/fr/droit-et-politique/conventions-de-geneve
- United Nations (OCHA) (1998). Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement. www.unhcr.org/fr
- ALNAP (2022). The State of the Humanitarian System (report). www.alnap.org