ICRC x Danish Red Cross x DIIS Centre for Peace Research: Protecting humanity in a fragmented world

Tuesday 24 November 2026, 15.00-16.45
DIIS Centre for Peace Research, ICRC & Danish Red Cross
Blegdamsvej 27, 2100 Copenhagen Ø

The number of conflicts around the world has reached a historic peak, as diplomatic efforts to establish durable peace falter. In Ukraine, Gaza or Sudan, the devastating humanitarian consequences of conflicts, especially on civilians, are compounded by modern warfare, with drones stretching frontlines and malicious codes taking down hospitals. At the same time, the fundamental rules of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) face unprecedented pressure with limited or no accountability when breached. In an environment of global political polarisation, states increasingly fail to reaffirm the rules of war. This poses a direct threat to our capacity to preserve life, protect dignity and uphold humanity. 

As Denmark plays a key role in upholding international law on the multilateral stage, and while discussions on military readiness and societal preparedness are gaining prominence domestically, this event will discuss how Denmark can effectively prevent, mitigate and address the humanitarian impacts of conflicts, even when close to home.

Building on the expertise of Pierre Krähenbühl, Director-General of the ICRC, and Jeppe T. Jacobsen, Senior Researcher at DIIS Centre for Peace Research, the ICRC, Danish Red Cross and DIIS Centre for Peace Research invite the audience for a discussion that will explore the intersections between the developments in contemporary warfare and its humanitarian and security implications. The discussion will offer concrete recommendations on how Denmark and the international community can further prevent future conflicts, strengthening civilian protection and upholding the rules of war, at home and abroad.

Speakers

Pierre Krähenbühl is Director-General of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), a position he assumed in April 2024. As head of the ICRC's executive body, he is responsible for steering the organisation's global humanitarian activities and its 16’000 staff in more than 90 countries, with a yearly budget of over USD 1.8 billion for 2026. Pierre Krähenbühl will draw on ICRC’s extensive legal expertise and operational experience from working on the frontlines of conflicts around the world and discuss how to prevent, mitigate and address the humanitarian consequences of conflicts. He will also explore the links between IHL and Peace, the ICRC’s contribution to diplomatic solutions to armed conflict, as well as how states as Denmark can further contribute to strengthening the respect for the rules of war globally.

Jeppe T. Jacobsen is a senior researcher at DIIS Centre for Peace Research. His research focuses on emerging military technologies, European defence innovation, and states' political and military behaviour in cyberspace. Among other things, he examines how states develop, adapts to and deploy new military technologies, the role of Big Tech companies in international politics and security, and how cooperation on new defence technology takes shape within in the Nordics, NATO and the EU. Jeppe will discuss how Denmark and Europe are currently building up their defense capabilities, and how new actors and technological innovations are challenging global peace and regulation in new ways. Drawing on both a military operational and a political-strategic perspective, he will address the latest developments in artificial intelligence and drone warfare, the implications big tech and venture capital entering the War in Ukraine, and the rearming Europe agenda.

Programme

• Welcome, Anders Ladekarl, SG of the Danish Red Cross (TBC) 
• Presentation, Pierre Krähenbühl
• Presentation, Jeppe T. Jacobsen 
• Panel discussion and Q&A, moderated by Jonathan Somer (TBC)

Practical information

The seminar will be held in English. Participation is free of charge, but registration is required via our registration form. The seminar will take place at Danish Red Cross, Blegdamsvej 27, Copenhagen Ø.

24 November 2026 15:00–16:45

Danish Red Cross, Blegdamsvej 27, 2100 Copenhagen Ø

Register here