Alongside HLS PILAC’s research portfolio, we collaborate with student researchers, scholars, and practitioners to engage with states, intergovernmental organizations, U.N. system actors, and NGOs through an array of activities.

CASE STUDIES

In collaboration with the HLS Case Studies Program, PILAC develops real-world-based case studies. In each exercise, students act as senior-level decision-makers to resolve legal and policy dilemmas that arise in armed conflicts.

Legal Policy Briefings

To leverage our research and provide students with real-world policy experience, we provide high-level briefings on its key areas of focus to decision-makers in government, intergovernmental organizations, and NGOs. Through these briefings, students experience how international law and international law expertise relate to complex policy decision-making across the spectrum of viewpoints concerning situations of armed conflict. 

United Nations Missions

In collaboration and consultation with several Permanent Missions to the United Nations, we seek to translate HLS PILAC’s research and scholarship into engagements at events for U.N. legal, security, human-rights, and humanitarian advisors. The Program briefs ambassadors and senior and technical legal and policy staff on complex challenges, and participates in and convenes side events at meetings and conferences. HLS PILAC also hosts informal meals to provide opportunities to highlight and discuss particular themes, trends, and trajectories.

WORKING GROUPS & COLLABORATIONS

The Program hosts the Counterterrorism and Humanitarian Engagement Project’s Senior Law and Policy Working Group, which comprises over 90 senior humanitarian, counterterrorism, and human rights practitioners, policy advisers, directors, and general counsel. As PILAC continues to develop, we will also explore collaborations with academic institutions and centers.

[Activities write-up last updated: April 2018]