SPECIAL SESSION: INNOVATION AND METHODOLOGY IN HUMANITARIAN ACTION – SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN CONFLICT ZONES AND GLOBAL CHILD PROTECTION
Wednesday, October 30, 2024 from 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm – Palais des Congrès (Porte Maillot)
The purpose of the session is to present new forms of associative commitment, in terms of both methodology and innovation, through the prism of two themes: sexual violence in conflict zones and global child protection.
The aim is to examine ways of combating sexual violence in conflict zones, highlighting the concrete actions taken by associations in the field.
Particular attention will be paid to the global protection of children, by tackling various issues dealt with by associations, such as children born of rape, children without civil status and the methodological reintegration of young people in prison. The issue of education in camps for displaced persons will also be addressed.
Finally, the role of bar associations and their international collaboration in the fight against these abuses will be presented.
With the support of :
H.R.H. the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg
The Denis Mukwege Foundation of Doctor Denis MUKWEGE
The association Stand Speak Rise Up! of H.R.H. the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg
The association We Are NOT Weapons of War (WWoW) of Mme Céline BARDET
The World Association of Children’s Friends (AMADE) of H.R.H. The Princess of Hanover
The Association Compassion Asian Youth (ACAY) of Sister Sophie
The Association du Notariat Francophone (ANF)
The Luxembourg Bar and Valérie DUPONG, former President of the Luxembourg Bar Association.
Me Pierre HOFFMAN, President of the Paris Bar Association/ Me Vanessa BOUSARDO, Vice-président of the Paris Bar Association
Me Julie COUTURIER, President of the French National Bar Council (CNB)
1:30 pm – 2 pm : Welcome of participants
2:00 pm – 2:15 pm : Welcoming speech
Me Jacqueline SCOTT, President of the UIA
Me Vanessa BOUSARDO, Vice-président of the Paris Bar Association
2:15 pm – 3:15 pm : Innovative and technological solutions developed by associations
In the presence of H.R.H. the Grande-Duchesse of Luxembourg
Moderator : Me Alain GROSJEAN, UIA Director of Revenue
Theme 1: The innovative “Back Up” application developed by the WWoW association
Speaker : Ms Céline BARDET, founder of the association
The “Back Up” mobile application was developed by the WWoW association to gather evidence of abuses committed in conflict zones, and to combat the impunity of the perpetrators of these crimes.
The current situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where the “Back Up” project was developed, will also be presented, as well as WWoW’s current projects (in Ukraine, Kasai, etc.).
Theme 2 : The Red Line initiative developed by the Denis Mukwege Foundation in the Netherlands
Speaker : Ms Erin FARRELL ROSENBERG, senior legal advisor, Dr. Denis Mukwege Foundation
The “Red Line” initiative calls for a ban on conflict-related sexual violence (CSV) in all its forms, including when used as a weapon of war.
The initiative aims to bring about a clear rejection of CSBV in all its forms by strengthening and clarifying the legal obligations of states. The “Red Line” initiative has published two guides for state leaders, the “Guide to State Obligations on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence” and the “Fundamental State Obligations on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence: An Overview of International Law”. A global network of VSLC victims and survivors, called SEMA, has also been set up to call on governments to meet their obligations.
3:15 pm- 3:30 pm : Coffee Break
The ACAY association offers a second chance to young people in difficulty, aged 15 to 23, through creative educational approaches that enable them to rediscover the dignity and meaning of their lives, and to become agents of change for society.
The methodological approach to reintegration developed by ACAY in the Philippines has been adapted to become a model of support in Marseille, France, where the association is fighting the same battle to reintegrate young people in difficulty.
Me Julie COUTURIER, President of the CNB
Me Valérie DUPONG, former President of the Luxembourg Bar
Me Elisabeth ZAKHARIA SIOUFI, President of the UIA Women’s Committee
