‘Dialogues on Humanity’: an exhibition to strengthen international humanitarian law
With the increase in conflicts and rising refugee numbers, the principle of humanity is coming under strain. But what exactly is that principle founded on? The SDC's travelling exhibition ‘Dialogues on Humanity’ creates spaces where people can meet, exchange ideas and reflect, taking humanitarian principles out of the legal realm and into the heart of society.
In an international context increasingly dominated by crises, wars and polarisation, people need spaces where they can connect and learn together. ‘Dialogues on Humanity’, a joint project by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the ICRC and the Photo Elysée museum, aims to provide such a space. The international exhibition uses photography to examine humanitarian issues and encourage dialogue, making international humanitarian law (IHL) and the humanitarian principles ‒ humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence ‒ tangible for a wide audience. These principles are deeply rooted in Switzerland's national consciousness, and are more important now than ever. In an increasingly complex environment, principled humanitarian aid helps to effectively prevent suffering and support people in need. It also forms the basis of IHL, which is an international set of rules that aim to limit the impact of armed conflicts. IHL protects civilians, the wounded and prisoners of war, prohibits or restricts the use of certain weapons, and obliges conflicting parties to comply with clear humanitarian standards. But for these rules to be effective, it is not enough for them to exist on paper – they must be known, understood and respected.
‘Dialogues on Humanity’ brings visitors into contact with the humanitarian principles and fosters debate at the heart of society. The artworks encourage exploration and dialogue in a striking and unexpected manner, creating a shared space for reflection on topics such as ‘life and nature’ or ‘hope and dignity’. Where do you feel safe and at home? What gives you hope and how do you maintain your dignity in difficult times? How much can we still trust what we see today in images, the news, and the world around us? These questions are at the heart of the humanitarian principles, whose fundamental values of humanity, protection and respect unite us and provide guidance in times of crisis.
Humanitarian principles are living values that affect our daily lives.
The ‘Dialogues on Humanity’ exhibition in Mutare, Zimbabwe, illustrated just how effective this format can be, bringing the Geneva Conventions to life for a host of visitors including students, security personnel, media representatives and civil society stakeholders. Many of the visitors emphasised that combining IHL with art provided a striking new way to tackle the complex issues involved. This helped them to understand the humanitarian principles not just as abstract rules, but as living values with a direct impact on their everyday lives and local communities. The discussions went far beyond legal aspects, covering questions related to security, protection and human dignity in a world dominated by uncertainty.
The potential of informal dialogue spaces was clear at the exhibition held at the UN office in Vienna, which brought together diplomats from a range of countries at the vernissage, including Israel, Palestine, Iran and the US. The connecting theme in all this: IHL as a universal foundation for the protection of humanity.
Knowledge, empathy and dialogue are key prerequisites for ensuring that principles and values are not only understood, but also put into practice. As the depositary state of the Geneva Conventions, Switzerland uses innovative approaches such as the ‘Dialogues on Humanity’ exhibition to create spaces where humanitarian standards are visible and can be experienced far beyond the realm of diplomatic negotiations, laying the foundations for solidarity in a complex world. ‘Dialogues on Humanity’ provides visitors with a bridge between global standards and real-life experiences on the ground, and is part of Switzerland's comprehensive commitment to communicating on and strengthening IHL.
Dialogues on Humanity in figures
- Exhibitions in over 30 countries worldwide
- At least 335,558 visitors
- At the heart of society: exhibitions in underground stations, universities, shopping centres, museums or memorials related to acts of violence and other historical events.
Contact
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