Who we are
“ In situations of armed conflict, Geneva Call, as a neutral, impartial and independent international humanitarian organization, endeavours to strengthen the respect of humanitarian norms and principles by armed groups and de facto authorities (AGDA), in order to improve the protection of civilians. ”
Since Geneva Call began its work more than 20 years ago, we have developed a unique methodology to increase awareness of, and respect for, IHL for the protection of civilians in armed conflict. Geneva Call has a unique and unwavering mission to protect civilians. Whilst other organizations also work to improve awareness of humanitarian norms, Geneva Call is the only organization in the world focused exclusively on creating lasting behavioural change among AGDAs to promote the protection of civilians.
Geneva Call is one of the world’s leading organizations in the field of humanitarian engagement with AGDAs. Geneva Call is active in 16 contexts worldwide, with offices in all of them, and has developed a humanitarian engagement with more than 170 AGDAs since 2000.
History
Key moments over the last twenty years
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September 2021Launch of a new Deed of Commitment on the Prevention of Starvation and Addressing Conflict-Related Food InsecurityJanuary 202020 years anniversary
Geneva Call celebrates its 20 years of humanitarian engagement.
January 2019Geneva Call has engaged over 120 armed groups and de facto authorities since 2000More than 60 of them have signed at least one Deed of Commitment.
Destruction of all remaining stockpiles of anti-personnel mines held by the Polisario FrontThe Polisario Front destroyed 2,485 stockpiled anti-personnel (AP) mines, bringing the total number destroyed to date to 20,493
Read moreNovember 2018Launch of a new Deed of Commitment on protecting healthcare in armed conflictOctober 2018Launch of the “Culture Under Fire” study on armed non-State actors and the protection of cultural heritageJune 2018Geneva Call adopts a new visual identity to reflect its broader and more international missionJanuary 2016First World Humanitarian SummitAt the invitation of the United Nations, a delegation of Geneva Call participated in the World Humanitarian Summit
January 2014First demobilization of child soldiersKurdish armed forces demobilize 149 child soldiers in Syria following their signature of the Deed of Commitment. This is the first demobilization of children thanks to the work of Geneva Call.
Geneva Call at the United Nations Security CouncilGeneva Call addressed the United Nations Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Forces for the first time
January 2012Launch of a new Deed of CommitmentGeneva Call launches the Deed of Commitment on the Prohibition of Sexual Violence in Armed Conflict and towards the Elimination of Gender Discrimination
Geneva Call launches http://www.theirwords.orga unique online directory of commitments, policies and agreements made by AGDAs on issues related to international humanitarian law and human rights
Read moreJanuary 2010Geneva Call launches a second Deed of Commitment on the protection of childrenJanuary 2009Ban Ki-Moon praises the work of Geneva CallThe United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon, mentioned Geneva Call’s work for the first time in the Report on the Protection of Civilians calling the Deed of Commitment a “successful example” of an initiative to seek to end the use of anti-personnel mines by armed groups
January 2005Geneva Call at the African UnionGeneva Call was invited to present its mission and activities to the Peace and Security Council of the African Union
January 2004Geneva Call organises an unprecedented conferenceGeneva Call organized an unprecedented conference bringing together 32 combatant and ex-combatant women for a workshop to discuss their experiences within armed opposition groups and their potential roles in promoting humanitarian norms
January 2002Geneva Call organises a roundtable discussionDuring the Fourth Meeting of States Parties to the Ottawa Convention, Geneva Call organised a roundtable discussion bringing together representatives of AGDAs who have signed a Deed of Commitment and government representatives
First Geneva Call verification missionGeneva Call carries out its first verification mission (to the Philippines) to address compliance by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front with the Deed of Commitment for Adherence to a Total Ban on Anti-Personnel Mines and for Cooperation
January 2001First signature of a Deed of CommitmentThe Sudan People Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) is the first AGDA to sign the Deed of Commitment for Adherence to a Total Ban on Anti-Personnel Mines and for Cooperation in Mine Action
The European Parliament votes to support NGOs working with AGDAsThe European Parliament, following a proposal made by Geneva Call, voted unanimously to call on the international community to support the efforts made by specialised NGOs, such as Geneva Call, to engage AGDAs to ban landmines
January 2000Geneva Call is officially launched in GenevaSee moreThe conference Engaging Non-State Actors in a Landmine Ban organized by the Swiss Campaign to Ban Landmines and other country chapters of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines is the opportunity to launch the new organization
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