newjerseynewsroom.com

BY SUSAN JONES

CNSNEWS.COM

Because the United States plays an important role in foreign affairs, international humanitarian law should be taught in public schools to ensure that Americans "continue to understand and observe the limits of armed conflict," the American Red Cross says.

The American Red Cross has launched an online petition drive, urging schools to teach students about the Geneva Conventions.

To help teachers do that, the Red Cross has developed a "non-partisan" program called Exploring Humanitarian Law, which "presents multiple viewpoints." (See curriculum)

According to the Red Cross Web site, "Students learn that there are no easy answers in war and that armed conflict inevitably raises serious dilemmas and trade-offs." It adds that the program will help students become "more civically engaged and stewards of conflict resolution."

The Exploring Humanitarian Law project was initiated by the ICRC in late 1998 with the aim of designing core learning materials for global use among young people in the 13-18 age range. According to the American Red Cross, teachers who have used the program report that students have been engaged and inspired.

American Red Cross petitions public schools to teach Geneva Conventions