What is the deadline for application?
The deadline for application is 16 November 2012. Please inform us if you are having trouble meeting this deadline.
Who can participate?
To register, teams must consist of three students, from the same Dutch or Belgian university of defence academy. Participants are required to be enrolled (one does not need to be a Dutch or Belgian citizen) at a Dutch or Belgian university or military academy (at Ma level, BA students under special circumstances), have a good knowledge of public international law, have a keen interest in IHL and have a good command of the English language.The application form is available on this website (see Rules and Registration).
Must there be 3 persons in each team?
Yes, each team has to consist of three persons. If you have a team of two persons and have trouble finding another team member, please contact your lecturer/professor or us, because we might be able to help you advertise for another team member at your institution.
What is expected from the lecturer/professor?
We hope lecturers/professors are willing to promote this event by informing their students and giving them the opportunity to compose a team to take part in the competition.
What is expected from the coach?
Coaches are expected to prepare their respective team for the competition, both through practice sessions and giving feedback. Coaches can be lecturers, professors, researchers or volunteers (e.g. students that participated in former editions of the Frits Kalshoven Competition).
I am a student and interested in joining the competition, what do I do?
Inform your university and lecturer/professor. Find two fellow-students who want to form a team, ask a lecturer/professor/researcher/volunteer to be your coach, and register online. Please contact us if you do not know who to contact at your university or if you are in need of a coach.
I am a student but I cannot participate in a team. Can I help in a different way?
Apart from participating in a team, you can help us by pointing out the importance of IHL and by showing your interest in IHL to your lecturer/professor. You could help us to make sure that your university joins this competition by forming a team or by 'spreading the word' so other students will hear about it too. You are also welcome to be in the audience the final day of the competition. Finally, Dutch speaking students in the Netherlands can become an IHL volunteer for the Netherlands Red Cross ('HOR-vrijwilliger').
Can I be present if I do not participate in a team/I am not a coach?
If you are not part of a team, you are still very welcome to attend the competition. The moot court is open to the public and we hope to have a large audience. If you want to contribute in another manner please contact: ihlcompetition@redcross.nl.
What is the purpose of the competition?
The purposes of the Competition include:
- Promotion of knowledge and profound understanding of IHL among students;
- Development of the skills and ability required to apply the law in a practical and relevant manner to real-life situations;
- Preparations of participants for a career in or related to IHL;
- Supporting the teaching of IHL and the interest for IHL at Dutch and Belgian academic institutions.
How do we prepare as teams?
Teams will receive training materials regularly to assist with preparation and to improve their command of IHL and related fields, such as Human Rights Law and Refugee Law. During the preparation, the teams may be asked to write an essay on a topic concerning the case study. This will not be part of the assessment, but will serve as a tool to see where further guidance might be needed.
When will we receive training documents?
Shortly after the teams have been selected, a training kit will be sent to the institution of the concerning team. This will include copies of the Geneva Conventions and the Additional Protocols, practical information, and information about the ICRC and work in the field of IHL.
From December onwards teams will regularly receive additional information concerning the case study and training scenarios.
Is there a registration fee?
The registration fee for the sixth edition of the Frits Kalshoven Competition will be 75 euro per person. Materials, accommodation, most meals and transportation costs during the competition will be included. Transportation costs to and from The Hague are not covered. This year, the fee will include a one-day trip, with overnight stay, to Brussels.
How can I contact you?
In the Netherlands: Marieke van den Berg and Maaike Labree, ihlcompetition@redcross.nl or +31 (0)70-4455831.
In Belgium: Laura de Grève, humanitair.recht@rodekruis.be or +32 (0)15-443519.
In Belgium: Laura de Grève, humanitair.recht@rodekruis.be or +32 (0)15-443519.
