Universitas Pelita Harapan as The Host of IHL 2014

It is a proudful moment for Universitas Pelita Harapan to be the host of National Debate Competition on International Humaniarian Law (IHL) 2014, which was held on 16-18 May 2014. The winner of this national competition will proceed to continue the regional competition, representing Indonesia at Malaysia.

The 6th National Debate Competion was organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and worked together with student association of Indonesia International Relations. ICRC is a private institution that focuses on the humanity and also the forerunner of Gerakan Palang Merah and Bulan Sabit Merah Internasional. The existency of ICRC itself is to provide protection and help toward the victims of warfare conflict and other violations.

On the first day of the competition, Fork Yew Leong delivered a topic about?An Introduction of International Humanitarian Law?. The purpose of this seminar was to give general knowledge to the contestants. Leong firstly explained what ICRC is, including ICRC?s internal structure, activities, up to the explanation of ICRC?s logo and the history behind it. Leong also explained the 7 basic principles that Red Cross and Red Crescent should have, which are humanity, justice, neutralism, independence, voluntary, unity, and universality.

The debate competition was lasted for two days and divided into five rounds. This competition was attended by 64 people from 16 different universities in Indonesia, where a team is consisted of 4 people. The contestants were forbid to mention their campus name to prevent any subjectivity on the evaluation. The first winner is Universitas Indonesia (Colley Winova, Garlan A. Duarsa, and Egalita Irfan. The second winner is President University ( Made Yaya Sawitri, Gilang Agam Tirta Ardana, and Putu Ayu mas A. Pratiwi) , and the third winner is Universitas Pelita Harapan ( Radit, Laura, and Audrey).

John Riady, the Executive Dean of Faculty of Social and Political Science, hoped that this competition and discussion were able to give contribution to ICRC vision in helping and protecting human kind and the dignity of the war victims, and the violence within this country. (kyc/pris)