Dr Ojedokun in Geneva. 🙂
One of the central highlights of the seminar was the opportunity to engage directly with foremost scholars and practitioners in IHL. Their lectures and discussions addressed some of the most pressing questions in the field particularly the classification of armed conflicts, new technologies of warfare, including cyber operations, autonomous weapon systems (AWS), and artificial intelligence (AI). These topics are no longer speculative but immediate concerns, shaping how conflicts are fought and how humanitarian law must adapt. For me, these discussions reinforced the importance of forward-looking research into how technology is reshaping both the conduct of hostilities and the protection of civilians.
Beyond the academic program, the seminar also offered opportunities to engage with the history of the ICRC itself. A guided tour of the ICRC Museum provided a powerful reminder of the humanitarian mission that underpins IHL. Through interactive exhibits and historical accounts, the museum vividly illustrated the human stories behind the law and the institution’s role in shaping humanitarian responses across different conflicts.
The experience was further enriched by a tour of the city of Geneva, which holds a special place in the history of IHL. Walking through the city, one is constantly reminded of its central role in the development of international law and diplomacy.
In sum, my participation in the 16th IHL Advanced Seminar was both intellectually rewarding and personally inspiring. As I return to my own research, I carry with me a renewed sense of responsibility to contribute to ongoing debates on the classification of conflicts and the impact of new technologies on IHL. Geneva, with its rich history and humanitarian spirit, provided the perfect setting for such reflections, and I am grateful to have been part of this meaningful gathering.
FROM SARCIL TO THE ICRC: MEGAN’S JOURNEY
My Journey into International Humanitarian Law and the ICRC
My interest in international humanitarian law (IHL) started in my final year of LLB at the University of Pretoria when I took an elective course taught by Professor Martha M. Bradley. Her lecture on weapons law and the basic principles of IHL completely captured my attention. I had always been interested in international law and political sciences, but IHL was new to me—and I knew right then I wanted to explore it further. I consequently went on to pursue a Master of Laws (LLM) degree in IHL and Human Rights in Military Operations.
In 2021, during the final year of my LLM, I was fortunate to intern with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Regional Delegation for Southern Africa, working within the IHL department. Reporting directly to the Regional Legal Advisor, I worked on research around counter-terrorism legislation and State practice related to Customary IHL. I also took
part in meetings with diplomats, helped organise seminars, and coordinated several IHL initiatives. That internship cemented my desire to build a career with the ICRC. Soon after, I attended the 19th All Africa Course on IHL, co-hosted by the ICRC and the University of Pretoria, which deepened my commitment to this field.
Following my internship, I broadened my exposure to humanitarian work by joining Crisis Action as a consulting Administrative Assistant to the Deputy CEO in 2023. Crisis Action coordinates collaborative campaigns to protect civilians affected by armed conflict, working loosely with various partners to prevent violence and uphold human rights. Though my role was largely administrative, this experience was invaluable in helping me understand the wider humanitarian ecosystem and clarified my career goals.
I was then fortunate to continue my academic journey at the South African Research Chair in International Law (SARCIL) at the University of Johannesburg under the mentorship of Professors Hennie Strydom and Martha Bradley. SARCIL provided me with unparalleled opportunities to grow academically and professionally. It enabled me to attend the prestigious 51 st Advanced Course on IHL at the International Institute of Humanitarian Law in San Remo, Italy, as well as participate in multiple writing retreats that sharpened my research for my LLD while allowing me to network with leading experts in public international law and IHL.
Thanks to SARCIL and UJ, I completed several certificate courses, expanding
my expertise across diverse IHL topics, including international cyber law, targeting, and weapons law.
Maintaining strong ties with the ICRC, I returned for a two-week internship during the 6th Commonwealth Red Cross and Red Crescent Conference held in Pretoria, where I assisted with event coordination. Later, in September 2024, I completed a two-month consultancy with the ICRC’s African Centre for Medico-Legal Systems (ACMS), helping to organise the Global Military Personnel Identification Conference. This experience introduced me to a new facet of
IHL concerning the missing and deceased in armed conflict, specifically relating to military personnel in the battlefield. I then continued with another consultancy with the IHL department in November 2024, working on the 20th All Africa Course that initially inspired me.
Behind the scenes, I interviewed for the position of Legal Programme Officer at the ICRC Pretoria Regional Delegation. Following the interviewing process, I was honoured to be offered the role, which I commenced in January 2025.
What does a Legal Programme Officer do?
As a Legal Programme Officer at the Pretoria Regional Delegation, I support several departments and report directly to the Armed and Security Forces Programme Advisor and the Regional Legal Advisor in the IHL department. My role involves supporting the Delegation’s IHL-related activities, including delivering presentations on IHL, the ICRC and its mandate to audiences such as academia, government, and armed forces. I am also responsible for building and strengthening our academic network across nine countries in the
region: Botswana, eSwatini, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Malawi, and
Zambia. Additionally, I manage the organisation of two of our key academic events, including the All-Africa Course on IHL and the Zimbabwe Moot Court Competition, which we run in partnership with the University of Johannesburg and the Raoul Wallenberg Institute respectively.
My official job title within the ICRC is Prevention Programme Officer, which relates to one of the ICRC’s key activities—prevention. The goal is to prevent suffering caused by armed conflict by working with governments, militaries, police forces, and international organisations to promote the adoption of laws and rules—specifically IHL—that protect people during war.
We support armed forces and other groups to teach these laws and ensure they are understood and applied by all parties involved in a conflict.
In short, my role is to help ensure that the rules designed to protect people in conflict are not just words on paper but are understood, taught, and actively applied on the ground.
Final Thoughts
All of these experiences, particularly my time with SARCIL, prepared me well for a role at the ICRC. Through SARCIL, I had the opportunity to engage in specialised courses and research, which strengthened my knowledge of IHL and developed my practical skills. Combined with my internships and consultancy work, this background gave me the confidence and experience needed to take on the responsibilities of a Legal Programme Officer. The mix of academic study and hands-on work helped me build the skills and connections necessary to join the ICRC and contribute effectively to its mission.