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Lesson Plans – Humanitarian Law

The American Civil War: A Humanitarian Perspective
Source: American Red Cross
Four-lesson unit that connects American history to humanitarian law and principles. What if the Geneva Conventions had existed in the American Civil War?
Grade Level: high school
Subject Area: social studies, contemporary issues


Crimes of War: An Educator’s Guide
Source: Human Rights Education Associates
Eight-lesson curriculum and companion to the manual Crimes of War. Includes lessons on violence against civilians, weapons, child soldiers, sexual violence, torture, genocide, humanitarian intervention, and international courts and tribunals.
Grade Level: high school
Subject Area: social studies


Confronting Crimes against Humanity
Source: US Institute of Peace
Study guide with learning activities including background material, discussion questions, and learning activities, including concept map and simulation.
Grade Level: high school – adult
Subject Area: social studies


Exploring Humanitarian Law
Source: American Red Cross
Lesson plans that introduces the principles and basic rules of international humanitarian law (IHL). The lessons focus on the concept of human dignity, the humanitarian perspective, consequences of armed conflict, protection of non-combatants, dealing with violations, and responding to the consequences of war.
Grade Level: high school
Subject Area: social studies


Enforcement of International Humanitarian Law
Source: British Red Cross
5-module curriculum that explores justice and fairness as pat of IHL.
Grade Level: high school
Subject Area: social studies


Online Training Centre
Source: International Committee of the Red Cross
A collection of free e-learning tools on international humanitarian law and other areas of the ICRC’s work.
Grade Level: high school – adult
Subject Area: social studies, contemporary issues


Outlawed: Extraordinary Rendition, Torture and Disappearances in the War on Terror
Source: Amnesty International and WITNESS
Lesson plans that debate the use of torture and discusses the film Extraordinary Rendition, The Geneva Conventions and the limits of Executive Authority.
Grade Level: high school
Subject Area: social studies, contemporary issues


Peace and Conflict
Source: National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Otago, NZ
Lesson Plan that explores the reason for the existence of humanitarian law, links IHL to the glamorization of war, and covers key provisions of IHL.
Grade Level: high school
Subject Area: social studies


Raid Cross
Source: American Red Cross
Raid Cross is a multi-station simulation designed to bring the principles of IHL alive for students. The “posts” include Prisoners of War, Wounded Soldiers, Artillery, Humanitarian Assistance, Military Headquarters and Trial. The Facilitator’s Guide comes with full instructions.
Grade Level: secondary and above
Subject Area: social studies, ethics


The Torture Question
Source: Teaching and Leaning with the New York Times, 2009
In this lesson plans, students research US engagement in torture and debate whether torture is ever justified.
Grade Level: high school
Subject Area: social studies

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