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“It is essential to understand and respect the rule
of law because that defines what we are about as a nation
and the leader of the free world. When others do not respect
or follow the law, it is even more important that we remember
who we are and what we stand for as a country. The American
Red Cross EHL program helps young people understand not
only what is legal, but also what is right.”
~ Brigadier General Patrick Finnegan, Dean of
the Academic Board, US Military Academy at West Point
The American Red Cross of the
Mohawk Valley, and the Rome Area Chapter are please
to be partnering with the Mohawk Valley Resource Center
for Refugees and the Mohawk Valley Teacher Centers to
bring the Exploring Humanitarian Law program to the region.
Exploring Humanitarian Law (EHL) is an international education
program, aligned with national social studies standards,
created by the International Committee of the Red Cross
as a tool for teaching youth about respect for human life
and dignity, ethical judgment, global citizenship, the
protections of the Geneva Conventions and the role of
the Red Cross and other humanitarian organizations through
the lens of international humanitarian law (IHL).
The learning materials, based both on historical and contemporary
situations, show how the laws of war aim to protect life
and human dignity during armed conflict and reduce and
prevent the suffering and destruction that result from
war.
The materials expose students to IHL by exploring
ethical and humanitarian issues arising from armed conflict.
EHL aims to foster in students an awareness of the necessity
of humanitarian norms, an understanding of different perspectives,
and an interest and responsible involvement in local and
international events.
EHL is not explicitly concerned with peace,
tolerance, mutual understanding, prevention of violence
or conflict resolution. It emphasizes the positive changes
in attitude that can evolve from the ideas of respect
for life and human dignity, civic responsibility, and
solidarity. Thus, EHL can be incorporated in a wide range
of different subject areas that fall under the broad heading
of citizenship education.
While often used by social studies teachers,
the content of EHL has links to all subject areas. Its
teaching methods reinforce many important academic and
life skills such as communication, disagreeing respectfully,
reasoning, research, problem-solving and critical thinking.
Learn more about
EHL by visting www.ehl.icrc.org
Please contact EHL Coordinator Jay Starr with questions
by e-mailing starrj@redcrossmv.org or by calling 315-733-4666.
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