L'oeil de la Genève Internationale

To mark the birth of International Humanitarian Law in 1864 and the Geneva Conventions of 1949, the Museum of art and history (MAH), in collaboration with the ICRC and the Geneva authorities, invites you to an exceptional evening on the theme of ‘Goya and the Geneva Conventions’. A selection of 29 plates by the artist Francisco de Goya from the series ‘Los desastres de la guerra’ (The Disasters of War) will be presented on 21 November, including the one published here, in French, English, and Spanish from 17.00 onwards, subject to registration. 

Francisco de Goya, Los desastres de la guerra, n° 26: No se puede mirar (The Disasters of War : One can not look), 1810-1820 (1863 print), Etching, burnished lavis, drypoint, burin
Plate : 143x208mm, print : 240x330 mm, Inv. E 77-0135-026
Collection Museum of art and history, Geneva 

More about what unites "Goya and Dunant," by Marie-Eve Celio, Head of prints and drawings at the MAH and curator of the exhibition

On 12 November, the Geneva Water Hub will hold the "Weaponizing Water: Can Geneva reverse the trend?" panel discussion at the Geneva Graduate Institute featuring :

• Marie-Laure Salles, Director, Geneva Graduate Institute
• Andrew Clapham, Professor of International Law, Geneva Graduate Institute
• Gunjan Shree, Student for the Applied Research Project on the Weaponization of Water, Geneva Graduate Institute
• Mark Zeitoun, DG, Geneva Water Hub and Prof. of Water
• Jana Urh Lesjak, Deputy Permanent Representative of Slovenia to the UN
• David Kaelin, ICRC Urban Services and Policy Advisor

The above scene takes place in Kanyaruchinya, in the province of North Kivu, in the DRC, in 2022, where the ICRC has installed a drinking water reservoir for refugees. In 2023, 36,086,869 civilians (residents, IDPs, returnees, and refugees) had access to drinking water, shelter, or better living conditions.

On 8 November, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) will hold its annual conference for the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF), celebrating "45 Years of IFRC-DREF." Established in 1979, the Fund was designed to address small and medium-sized disasters. Over the years, it "has evolved to include support for anticipatory action to respond more effectively to multiple crises, save more lives and livelihoods, minimize impacts, and prevent suffering."This scene of chaos was taken by Moises Saman, in Derna, Lybia, after Storm Daniel struck, causing devastating floods and killing thousands of people in the city in September 2023. 
 

While this year marks the 75th anniversary of the 1949 Geneva Conventions and 160 years since the birth of IHL, the 34th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, the world's largest humanitarian network, starts today until 31 October. This resilient woman above, a mother of ten, lost four brothers to violence in 2020. Driven by fear, she was forced to leave her home and seek refuge with a foster family. To survive, she now cultivates a small field near her former residence. This poignant photograph was captured in 2023 in Kilo, Ituri province, DRC, as she returned from receiving essential seeds from the ICRC. Like many farmers in the region, she carefully tends her land, planting gradually based on the availability of seeds.

The World Cancer Congress will take place from 17 to 19 September. UICC's flagship events is an exceptional opportunity to collaborate with global health leaders, innovators, and experts in shaping the future of cancer care. These motionless hands belong to famous Magnum photographer Martin Parr, who documented his years of treatment for Cancer. 

As a prelude to the 12th Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) from 12 to 13 September, the CCM Implementation Support Unit is organizing a discussion on 27 August with Mr. Matthieu Laruelle, Head of the Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) program at the GICHD. The discussion will focus on the fundamental principles of risk education, the achievements of recent years, and the conclusions and calls to action of the forthcoming EORE Global Mapping report. The photograph above was taken in Afghanistan in 2015 by Magnum photographer Gueorgui Pinkhassov. According to the 2023 Cluster Munition Monitor report, ‘Afghanistan declared in April 2023 that 9.9 km2 of land was contaminated with cluster munition remnants, covering 16 areas in the provinces of Faryab, Nangarhar, Paktya and Samangan.’

The Diplomatic Club of Geneva, in partnership with EPFL's Transnational Red Sea Centre (TRSC), is pleased to invite the public to discover the exhibition "Red Sea Corals." Until 3 September, the exhibit highlights the collaboration between science and diplomacy to preserve this remarkable symbol of resilience in the face of climate change called the "Reefs of Hope" on Quai Wilson. Above, a breathtaking view of the Red Sea was taken from Mouhoulé, Djibouti, by Magnum photographer Raymond Depardon in 1984.

The Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 are 75 years old today. For Geneva, Switzerland, and the ICRC, this is a historic date. From left to right: Marie Barbey-Chappuis (Administrative Councillor of the City of Geneva), Mirjana Spoljaric Egger (President of the ICRC), Nathalie Fontanet (President of the State of Geneva), Julien Thöni (Ambassador, Deputy Permanent Representative, Swiss Mission in Geneva).

An important week for chemicals management, waste, and pollution prevention starts today, 17 June, with the UNEP's OEWG 3 Science-Policy panel followed by the annual joint meeting to enhance cooperation and coordination between the regional centers under the Basel and Stockholm conventions on the 21 June. In 2016, photojournalist Carl De Keyzer took this image in the Agbogbloshie e-waste dumpsite in Accra, Ghana. 

On 9 June 2024, the World Trade Organization's headquarters will open its doors! This edition commemorates the 30th anniversary of the 1994 Marrakesh agreement leading to the birth of the WTO on 1 January 1995. Guided tours, Q&A with WTO staff, a photo exhibition, and diverse activities for children are a few examples of a rich program of events throughout the day. The above picture shows the mural fresco "La Dignité au Travail" by Maurice Denis given to ILO in 1931 by the International Confederation of Christian Trade Unions when the William Rappard Center housed the ILO in 1926.

On 29 May, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) invites you to the panel discussion "The Geneva Conventions 75 years on : age-old universal values responding to contemporary challenges." This event marks this important milestone by recalling the principles of humanity and respect for human dignity as defined in the Geneva Conventions. It will bring together leading researchers, practitioners, and representatives of diverse traditions, cultures, and religions to highlight not only the historical importance of the Geneva Conventions and what they have achieved but also their current impact today and the importance of international humanitarian law in the face of challenges set by war and conflict today. This image shows Indian soldiers released from a prisoner-of-war camp in China saying goodbye to the Chinese staff before heading home. It is part of the ICRC's archives on the Sino-Indian conflict between 1962-1963.

Ahead of the 77th World Health Assembly, the World Heart Federation organizes the 9th edition of its flagship World Heart Summit from 24 to 26 May. Whether it concerns cardiovascular health and environmental change or opportunities and threats of AI in cardiovascular health - whether Universal Health Coverage and health financing are at stake, high-level experts will gather and discuss today's most pressing challenges in cardiovascular health. This heart of milk was taken by Martin Parr in Dublin, Ireland, in 2019.

On 21 May, the Inter-Parliamentary Union and INTER PARES invite you to the round table: Connecting the superpowers of "digital natives" with parliament. The discussion will explore the benefits of digital natives' contribution to parliaments' pursuit of efficiency and independence. This scene was taken by Magnum photographer Ferdinando Scianna during a political meeting in Emilia-Romagna, Rimini, Italy, in 1985. 

The Committee on the Rights of the Child is holding its 96th session until 24 May 2024. The Committee, composed of 18 independent international experts, monitors how States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Optional Protocols comply with their obligations. This photograph was taken by Carolyn Drake during her journey in Water Valley, Mississippi, in 2019.  It is part of the book "Knit Club" TBW Publishing. 

The Humanitarian Networks and Partnerships Weeks will be held from 29 April to 10 May. This forum operates as a platform for inter-network collaborations to improve humanitarian preparedness and response by gathering participants from the UN, NGOs, Member States, private sector, academia, and beyond. This still-life photograph of the belongings of internally displaced people was taken by Moises Saman during his journey in the Nuba Mountains, Sudan, in January 2024.

In the framework of the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) HQ meeting, the Geneva Press Club invites you to the Press Conference: "Is a Global Recession inevitable?" at CICG on 24 April. FIATA President Turgut Erkeskin, Dr. Stéphane Graber, FIATA Director General, and Dawit Woubishet, FIATA Airfreight Institute Chair, will share their insights on the role of the logistics industry in the face of today's challenges. You may register to participate either in person or remotely. The above image was taken in France by Harry Gruyaert in 2001. 

No other place in the world than Geneva hosts such a range of organizations that tackle today's most pressing challenges. For the first time, 16 UN agencies and International organizations will convene at Balexert Mall from 16 to 21 April, where they invite the public to participate in various activities related to Humanitarian action, Human Rights, Health, Environment and Sustainable development, Labour, Trade, Science, Telecom, Peace, and Security. The above view of the Palais des Nations was taken by Luca Fascini in 2016 and is part of the book "International Geneva: 100 years of architecture" by Joëlle Kuntz, published by Slatkine.

For their next conference, on 18 April, the International Geneva Welcome Centre (CAGI) and the Maison internationale des Associations partner with the Office for International Solidarity. This event invites NGOs to be fully aware of the terms and conditions for receiving financial support from the State of Geneva's International Solidarity Fund to carry out initiatives in the field. Please note that registration is mandatory. This image was captured in 2018 by Emin Ozmen during his visit to Leer and Mayendit, South Sudan, where Doctors Without Borders was actively helping communities affected by conflict and displacement by providing necessary medical assistance.  

The Route des Nations has officially opened! 1.2 km long - 80% of which is underground - this new infrastructure links, since 25 March, the airport, Place des Nations, and the heart of international Geneva. 

The project took almost 7 years to complete, and its main goal is to reduce traffic in the communes of Grand-Saconnex and Pregny-Chambésy. Additionally, it aims to improve public transport, optimize traffic conditions, and make active mobility safer. 

The GE-TRANSPORTS virtual information desk is at your service to answer any questions you may have about mobility. 

For more information on the new Route des Nations, click on the following links:

• Opening of the Route des Nations: a new main road for getting around! | ge.ch
• Opening of the Route des Nations: principles of accessibility by car | ge.ch
• Opening of the Route des Nations: principles of accessibility for public transport | ge.ch
• Opening of the Route des Nations: principles for accessibility for active mobility | ge.ch