Training to protect, since 1970
Violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL), Human Rights, Refugee Law, and other branches of international law conceived to protect the most vulnerable during humanitarian emergencies have, particularly in recent years, heightened global awareness of the need for improved implementation of humanitarian norms on the ground.
It is globally recognised that international legal training is a key and essential preventive measure against such violations, fostering a sense of responsibility for compliance by clearly defining legal boundaries within both customary and treaty-based humanitarian law. Moreover, awareness of these legal provisions and their interplay is crucial not only for combatants and armed personnel but also for any actor, whether involved in protection, aid, or other forms of assistance, who gains access to affected populations in emergency scenarios.
This mission of dissemination is the one undertaken by the International Institute of Humanitarian Law, an independent, non-profit organisation founded in 1970 in Sanremo, Italy. Over more than 50 years, the Sanremo Institute has earned a global reputation as a center of excellence in promoting IHL, human rights, refugee law, and related fields through the design and development of high-level training, research, and awareness-raising initiatives. These efforts have engaged over 30.000 military officers, civilian experts, diplomats, and humanitarian practitioners from more than 190 countries.
Thanks to this unwavering commitment, the Sanremo Institute has, over the course of half a century, consolidated a vast network of close friends and partners. It is through the specific support provided by these individuals and institutions that the Institute has been able to sustain its humanitarian efforts across challenging periods, grounding its activity in the fundamental principles of competence, neutrality, and independence, which define it.
Our funding
The sustainability of the Sanremo Institute’s daily work relies on a diverse funding mix, including participation fees from individual attendees, scholarship packages sponsored by governments, independent foundations, international and regional organisations, and earmarked grants. However, in an increasingly unstable global landscape where multilateralism faces growing challenges, financial resources are becoming ever more strained. As a result, standard contributors are sometimes forced to change budget priorities, often diverting funds away from the essential objectives of training and capacity-building.
In this context, your support can make a real difference.
By donating, you will help the Institute continue developing cutting-edge, impactful training programs for experts and decision-makers worldwide. Your contribution will foster informed dialogue on humanitarian issues and the exchange of perspectives among diverse stakeholders, within the neutral environment constituting the renowned “Spirit of Sanremo.”
Specifically, your donation will support:
- The implementation of traditional training programmes in IHL, Human Rights, Refugee Law, and related topics for both military and civilian practitioners.
- The design and development of new courses and initiatives, including workshops, conferences, and awareness-raising activities on IHL, Human Rights, Refugee Law, Migration Law, and other legal frameworks applicable to humanitarian emergencies, developed both independently by the Institute and in collaboration with major partner organizations.
- Research activities focused on the Institute’s core mandate, advocating for compliance with IHL and international law more broadly.
- The participation in the IIHL activities of military and civilian practitioners from countries affected by humanitarian emergencies, including conflict, displacement, and disasters, in this way ensuring impactful engagement at the decision-making level.
- The Institute’s longstanding commitment to promoting training as the most effective preventive measure against war crimes and other violations of international law within the international community.
To learn more about the IIHL’s work, explore our website and feel free to contact the relevant representatives for specific activities.