Executive Master of Advanced Studies in International Law in Armed Conflict: What Faculty Say

16 April 2025

Giovanni Distefano, faculty in our online Executive Master of Advanced Studies in International Law in Armed Conflict, tells about his experience teaching in the programme.

What is your background, and what is your role in the programme?

My background is in both International Relations and Law, and I have been teaching at the Geneva Academy since 2004, first in the French-speaking cohort of the LLM – Master of Advanced Studies in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights and then, since 2009, in the Executive Master – MAS in International Law in Armed Conflict.

What do you find most rewarding about teaching in this programme?

It is truly fascinating to see how public international law (PIL) is embedded, sometimes unconsciously, in the mindset of participants, thanks to their diverse and professional backgrounds. As a teacher, it is rewarding to realise that by the end of the programme, the international legal dimension has become an integral part of their approach. They successfully merge their professional experience with the theoretical legal framework acquired during their studies. Furthermore, instilling this legal dimension into their careers helps them and us strengthen our common fight for the rule of law in international relations.

In your view, how does the programme equip professionals to navigate the complexities of international law in armed conflict?

Based on my long experience at the Geneva Academy, I believe the multidimensional approach to the law applicable to armed conflicts, covering public international law (PIL), international humanitarian law (IHL), and international human rights law (IHRL), among others, is the programme’s true strength. Participants immerse themselves in all relevant branches of PIL to fully grasp the role of the rule of law in armed conflicts. Moreover, they develop a systemic view of PIL as a whole. These branches, taught separately, collectively shape their understanding of the international legal order. Without this systemic perspective on international relations through the lens of these legal frameworks, they would not be adequately equipped to understand the rule of law in armed conflict. This, I believe, is the programme’s key objective.

What are the most pressing challenges in the field of international humanitarian law today, and how do you think we can contribute to addressing them?

A brief answer suffices: reasserting the rule of law in armed conflicts and its centrality in assessing the legality of different actors' conduct. It is therefore essential to help professionals achieve a comprehensive understanding of PIL’s role in armed conflicts by strengthening their legal tools for use in their daily work.

More information about our Executive Master of Advanced Studies in International Law in Armed Conflict can be found here.