Lobbying the Peacekeepers

Abstract

The ICRC may be the world’s premier lobby. Alone or in tandem with the International Federation, it frequently sponsors symposia, conferences, and meetings. It does so to gain access to leaders of other NGOs, governments, and IGOs. To be a player in “humanitarian politics,” and a powerful player at that, knowing political and NGO leaders and developing access to their decision-making processes is absolutely essential.¹ Basically, these meetings bring together experts in the broad areas of international law, peacekeeping, and humanitarian relief. ICRC officials use these meetings to discover the interests of these other players. They probe what new international law they can expect to get approved. They produce thoughtful studies on the problems new law is to address, which they then disseminate freely and widely. Symposia, conferences, and meetings are the favorite venues for formal ICRC lobbying.