By Kerttu Henriksson.
Student organization Lunastrum is arranging a unique simulation ‘Model of The Third Hague Peace Conference’ on the 9th of May, 2015 at the Peace Palace, The Hague. Lunastrum is organizing the event along with partners such as The Hague University of Applied Sciences, Leiden University, UPEACE Centre The Hague, Peace Palace Library, and sponsors such as the Municipality of The Hague.
The Hague Peace Conferences of 1899 and 1907 were essential in gradually achieving international security by being among the first initiatives to regulate warfare by establishing rules of international humanitarian law. The importance of the conferences has not decreased; instead, the rapid change in warfare requires reforms in the international regulations. In addition to changes in warfare, the methods to address violations of international rules had developed since the negotiations of the first conferences. Through the establishment of The Permanent Court of Arbitration, the military tribunals, ad-hoc tribunals and the permanent International Criminal Court, today there are more ways to address issues arising from International Humanitarian Law. Lunastrum is now offering the students the opportunity to generate innovative ideas on how to improve the existing rules on international humanitarian issues.
Exactly 100 years after the Third Peace Conference was meant to be held, but which was suspended due to the outset of the First World War, students are organizing a simulation enacting the Third Peace Conference. As in the two first conferences, the participants will negotiate as delegations about topics of International Humanitarian Law, namely rules regulating arms trade and international humanitarian intervention. A legal framework treaty will be drafted together by all delegations.
According to Akif Baser, the chairman of Lunastrum: “We want to encourage students to develop inventive ideas to contribute to international security and justice. We also want to give the students a realistic idea about how difficult it is to negotiate and conclude on important but sensitive issues such as arms trade and international humanitarian intervention. Students and young professionals are the future and, therefore, it is essential to engage them into sharing their inspiring ideas about International Affairs.”
Additionally, Lunastrum is organizing masterclasses for students on skills and topics relevant to the simulation such as negotiation, history of the Hague Peace Conferences and international security on May, 29th and April 6th, 2015.
You are welcome to join the simulation as a student or young professional, or to review the proceedings as an observer. The simulation is held on the 9th of May, 2015 from 9.00 a.m. to 17.00 p.m. within the Peace Palace of The Hague, the Netherlands.
For more information, please visit our website.
