The ICRC Innovation team focuses on exploring radical humanitarian solutions that can accelerate the ICRC’s mission to promote and strengthen International Humanitarian Law (IHL). From cutting-edge technologies and adaptable products to reimagined processes, ICRC Innovation investments aim to understand the future of humanitarian work.
This year, as we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions, the ICRC Innovation team is unveiling a dynamic showcase of immersive, interactive projects for the 34th International Conference (IC34) of the Red Cross & Red Crescent (RCRC) Movement. These initiatives highlight the powerful collaboration between the RCRC Movement and the enduring influence of IHL across the globe today.
Each featured project brings a fresh perspective to IHL, leveraging innovative technologies to amplify messages, broaden outreach, and deliver impactful advocacy and training. Together, they emphasize the expanding role and reach of the ICRC and RCRC Movement, demonstrating how IHL awareness, access, and recognition continue to evolve in a changing world.
Experience the IHL Innovation Expo
During IC34, you can immerse yourself in the IHL Innovation Expo—an interactive space where high tech meets humanitarian action. Discover how collaborative initiatives within the ICRC, across the RCRC Movement, and in partnership with cutting-edge tech universities and innovators, are enhancing the impact and relevance of humanitarian work worldwide.
Learn from hands-on experiences, dive into groundbreaking research, and engage with the exciting innovations shaping the next chapter of IHL. Mark your calendars and join us to explore the future of humanitarian action.
Getting Around the IHL Innovation Expo
Zone 1: Virtual Reality
The ICRC’s Virtual Reality Unit (VRU) utilizes the latest advancements in gaming technology to develop immersive and interactive tools for training and advocacy. In an era where global crises are unfolding simultaneously and the reliability of information is increasingly complex, the need for precise, tailored online training solutions has never been more critical.
Through its innovative approach, the VRU fosters meaningful dialogue among participants while upholding the ICRC’s role as a neutral intermediary. This not only expands knowledge and skills across the RCRC Movement but also strengthens the relevance, identity, and impact of National Societies around the world. By creating virtual environments within the Movement, the ICRC ensures full ownership, accuracy, and adaptability in its training programs.
At the IHL Innovation Expo, participants will have the opportunity to:
- Embark on a virtual journey to ICRC delegations in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Colombia through an immersive 360° film experience.
- Train for earthquake and climate change preparedness using state-of-the-art VR headsets.
- Experience the harrowing reality of being trapped in an urban conflict zone through the simulation, The Escape.
- Practice humanitarian negotiation through a simulation that aims to promote critical reflection and learning opportunities among humanitarian negotiators (find out more about the CCHN here).
- Imagine being a Chief Technology Officer confronted by conflict as you explore the ICRC’s new Trust & Safety game.
You can also learn more here: https://virtual-reality.icrc.org
Zone 2: Broken Cities
Broken Cities employs cutting-edge photogrammetry, a non-contact and non-destructive technique that precisely captures three-dimensional features of spaces and objects through thousands of photographs. The 35,000 photographs needed to develop these war-torn landscapes were taken by ICRC field teams during the summer of 2022, using drones and handheld cameras, ensuring every angle and detail of each structure was captured. This communication piece brings to life the haunting aftermath and hidden cost of urban warfare, to serve as a catalyst for understanding, introspection, and meaningful change at the individual, collective and policy levels.
In this area, participants will experience:
- A combination of photography, technology, and real-life stories working together to create a captivating immersive journey to bridge the gap between those who have never experienced war, and the far-reaching human toll for those bearing its consequences in three cities scarred by conflict.
You can also learn more here: https://broken-cities.icrc.org
Zone 3: If War Comes To You
The interactive film, If War Comes to You, takes audiences on a journey that delves into the provoking possibility of armed conflict on their doorstep. The experience immerses viewers in the rules of war and explores the crucial role each individual plays in upholding these principles.
This initiative was developed in response to the “Bringing IHL Home” resolution from IC33, namely to ‘explore new innovative and appropriate methods to promote respect for IHL, including using digital and other means, such as video games, and where possible to consider therein the voices of people affected by armed conflict and their perception of IHL’. It brought together ICRC Innovation with the European Legal Support Group (ELSG) – made up of over 30 European National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies – to promote the relevance and impact of IHL.
This “choose-your-own-pathway” film invites viewers to:
- Immerse in three diverse perspectives of those most directly impacted by conflict. Witness the harrowing dilemmas faced by a young student caught in conflict, experience the weight of responsibility as a soldier during combat operations, or join the mission of an aid worker to alleviate the suffering caused by war.
You can also learn more here: www.ifwarcomestoyou.com
Zone 4: Digital Dilemmas
Digital Dilemmas is a multi-media initiative developed by the RCRC Movement that immerses you in a crisis situation to see how digital technologies, from social networks to biometrics and connectivity, are transforming the lives of people affected by conflict. The aim is to create a sense of urgency around the massive impact of these technologies and encourage people and decision-makers to take action to improve the infrastructure necessary to protect everyone.
With increased digitalization of our world, people affected by crises are exposed to new situations. In this experience, participants will gain a first-hand understanding of digital vulnerabilities during conflict, the ease of AI-enabled Deep Fakes, and the tools anyone can use to detox from the digital world.
This interactive experience will:
- Immerse you in a variety of digital privacy situations using a VR headset to explore how technology affects choices, solutions and risks
- Confront you with an AI-enabled identity fake in real time (in partnership with EPFL).
- Showcase how you can protect your own online identity
- Present the ICRC’s Digital Emblem
You can also learn more here: https://digital-dilemmas.com
See You at IC34 !
The IHL Innovation Expo at the 34th International Conference of the RCRC Movement offers a unique blend of education, innovation, and engagement opportunities. Whether you’re a policymaker, humanitarian worker, academic, or simply someone passionate about making a difference, the IHL Innovation Expo provides valuable insights and experiences that will deepen your understanding and inspire your work.
We invite you to join us during the 34th International Conference at the Geneva International Conference Center (www.cicg.ch) to experience the work of the ICRC and the RCRC Movement to promote and protect IHL through the innovative application of technology.