
Programme
All sessions take place in a hybrid format, online and in Bruges.
Day 1 - Thursday, 20th October 2022 8.45 – 17:45 (CET)
08.45 – 09.15 Welcome and Registration
———————————
09.15 – 09.45 Opening Statements
Federica Mogherini, Rector, College of Europe
Gilles Carbonnier, Vice-President, ICRC
Knut Dörmann, Head of Delegation, ICRC Brussels
———————————
09.45 – 10.45 Setting the Scene: Global trends and contemporary landscapes of armed conflicts
Introduction to the topic by the Chair Elizabeth Wilmshurst, Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House and University College of London
1. Classifying conflicts in 2022 – reflections on a practical challenge
Thomas de Saint Maurice, ICRC
2. Global trends in armed conflicts: the perspective of a military institution
Nathalie Durhin, NATO SHAPE
3. A legal perspective on the relevance of IHL criteria to classify contemporary conflicts
Julia Grignon, Institut de Recherche Stratégique de l’Ecole Militaire
———————————
11.00 – 12.30 Panel 1: International armed conflict: when does a State become a Party to the conflict?
Introduction to the topic by the Chair Frank Hoffmeister, EEAS
1. From supporter to party in the conflict: when does support amount to co-belligerency?
Jeroen Van Den Boogaard, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Netherlands
2. Entering an international armed conflict through cyber means: virtual or real possibility?
Mark Dakers, International Institute of Humanitarian Law
3. Occupation revival: the challenge of occupation by proxy
Eugénie Duss, University of Geneva
12:00- 12:30 Moderated Discussion and Q&A
———————————
14:00-15:45 Panel 2: Not taking sides: Is the Law of Neutrality still relevant in the XXIst century?
Introduction to the topic by the Chair Luca Ferro, Free University of Brussels
1. The Law of Neutrality in the XXIst century: evolution or revolution?
Michael Bothe, Goethe University of Frankfurt
2. How to stay neutral in 2022? A practical approach
Hanne Cuyckens, Leiden University
3. Is neutrality possible in the cyber/outer space domain?
Kevin Kohler, ETH Center for Security Studies, Zürich
15:00- 15:45 Moderated Discussion and Q&A
———————————
16:00-17:45 Panel 3: Reaching the threshold(s): when do non-State actors become parties in an armed conflict?
Introduction to the topic by the Chair, Vaios Koutroulis, Université Libre de Bruxelles
1. Stronger together? Understanding how IHL applies to non-State armed group coalitions
Ezequiel Heffes, Geneva Call
2. Military support and IHL: A critical view of the fragmented approach
Pauline Lesaffre, Université Catholique de Louvain
3. Contemporary challenges arising from fighting NSAG abroad: a State view
Camille Faure, Ministère des Armées, France
17:00 – 17:45 Moderated Discussion and Q&A
Day 2 - Friday, 21st October 2022 09:00 – 13:00 (CET)
09:00-10:45 Panel 4: On the battlefield: the multiplicity of actors and challenges for the application of IHL – Part I
Introduction to the topic by the Chair, Elzbieta Mikos-Skuza, University of Warsaw and College of Europe
1. You’re in the army now: who is a combatant in 2022?
Jelena Pejic, IHL Expert
2. The changing status of civilians, levée en masse and DPH
Annyssa Bellal, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies
3. Third nationals in IAC – A State perspective
Pierre Degezelle, Ministry of Defence, Belgium
10:00 – 10:45 Moderated discussion and Q&A
———————————
11:00-12:45 Panel 5: On the battlefield: the multiplicity of actors and challenges for the application of IHL – Part II
Introduction to the topic by the Chair, Marco Sassòli, University of Geneva
1.PMSCs: soldiers of fortune?
Matt Pollard, ICRC
2.Media, disinformation and propaganda: what’s new?
Christie Edwards, American Society of International Law / Geneva Call
3.Private sector and participation in armed conflicts
Tsvetelina Van Benthem, Oxford University
12:00 – 12:45 Moderated discussion and Q&A
———————————
12:45 – 13:00: Closing Statement by Knut Dörmann, ICRC Brussels
The panelists

Elzbieta Mikos Skuza
University Of WarsawSenior Lecturer

Ezequiel Heffes
Geneva CallSenior Policy and Legal Advisor

Marco Sassoli
University of GenevaProfessor of International Law

Nathalie Durhin
NATO/SHAPE Office of Legal AffairsHead of Operational Law Branch

Pauline Lesaffre
University of LouvainPostdoctoral Researcher

Vaios Koutroulis
Université libre de BruxellesProfessor of Public International Law

Camille Faure
Ministry for the armed forces, FranceDeputy Head of Department of Legal affairs

Jeroen van den Boogaard
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NetherlandsLegal counsel for International Law

Hanne Cuyckens
Leiden universityAssistant Professor in International Law

Thomas de Saint Maurice
ICRCHead of Unit - Operational Legal Advisers

Elizabeth Wilmshurst
Chatham HouseDistinguished Fellow, International Law

Matt Pollard
ICRCLegal Adviser

Julia Grignon
Laval UniversityAssociate Professor

Frank Hoffmeister
EEASDirector for General Affairs and Head of Legal Department

Michael Bothe
J.W. Goethe UniversityProfessor of Public Law

Kevin Kohler
ETH Zurich - Center for Security StudiesSenior Researcher

Eugénie Duss
University of GenevaPhD Candidate

Christie Edwards
American Society of International Law
Jelena Pejic
IHL Expert

Luca Ferro
Vrije Universiteit BrusselsAssistant Professor in International Law

Mark Dakers
International Institute of Humanitarian LawDirector of Military Department

Pierre Degezelle
Belgian Defense - Directorate General for Legal SupportHead of Operational Law Branch

Tsvetelina van Benthem
Oxford Diplomatic Studies ProgrammeLecturer in Public International Law

Annyssa Bellal
Graduate Institute of International and Development StudiesSenior Researcher