To intensify cooperation between experts on international humanitarian law (IHL) in Europe, both from the academia and practitice—this is the vision of the Center for International Humanitarian and Operational Law (CIHOL) at the Faculty of Law, Palacký University Olomouc. Twenty renowned experts from several European countries visited the faculty to discuss this objective. To facilitate this dialogue, CIHOL organized a dedicated full-day workshop.

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The organizers succeeded in bringing to Olomouc leading experts in the field of the law of armed conflict and related disciplines. The workshop was attended for example by Marko Sassòli, former Director of the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law, Giulio Bartolini from Roma Tre University, Kubo Mačák from the University of Exeter, Julia Grignon from Panthéon-Assas University, or Robert Heinsch from Leiden University. The International Committee of the Red Cross was also represented by two delegates.

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Invited experts discussed the challenges IHL is currently facing, the need for deeper cooperation within the context of the security situation in Europe, as well as concrete steps that could be taken, including inter-institutional cooperation, project opportunities and outreach. Participants in the workshop agreed on the need to further discuss and develop this initiative, next expert meeting will take place next year.

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Through this activity, CIHOL is fulfilling its fundamental mission: to strengthen the active dissemination and popularization of IHL and to bridge the academic and military spheres, all within the context of the deteriorating security situation in Europe.