News & Events
2026/04/21
Advancing Humanitarian Law: TRC Leads the Way in Cultivating Asia-Pacific's Next Generation of Legal Advocates
Led by Professor Tsai Pei-lun (first right), the NCCU team represents the excellence of Taiwan's IHL education at the Asia-Pacific Moot Court, engaging in high-level exchange with regional peers.
From March 11 to 14, 2026, the 24th Asia-Pacific Red Cross International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Moot Court Competition concluded in Hong Kong. The Taiwan Red Cross (TRC) led the premier team selected from the domestic qualifying rounds—the delegation from National Chengchi University (NCCU)—to compete against 22 elite law schools from across the region, including representatives from Australia, South Korea, and Pakistan.
This year's competition delved into some of the most pressing challenges of our time: the threat of nuclear weapons, conflict-induced hunger, and the environmental devastation caused by warfare. Second-year participant Yen Hsin-yu reflected on the evolving complexity of the legal issues. While previous years focused on technological accountability, such as drone warfare, this year's themes highlighted the long-term survival of humanity and the irreversible environmental impact of armed conflicts.
Under the guidance of Assistant Professor Tsai Pei-lun, the team demonstrated remarkable growth in their "Manner"—balancing rigorous legal argumentation with the necessary diplomatic warmth required in humanitarian advocacy. "The students successfully integrated past lessons, showing significant maturity in their overall presentation and composure under pressure," Professor Tsai noted.
The competition served as a vital platform for cross-cultural exchange. Team member Lo Ze emphasized the value of observing diverse argumentative styles from different nations. Meanwhile, Luke Browne, an International Studies major, shared his transformation from a legal novice to a critical thinker, crediting TRC's unwavering support as a cornerstone for his future career growth.
Beyond the courtroom, students participated in the seminar "International Humanitarian Law and the Challenges of Contemporary Armed Conflict." Engaging with legal scholars from Japan, Malaysia, and Vietnam, the participants explored the practical application of IHL in modern warfare and the real-world obstacles to its enforcement.
While the championship title went to Handong International Law School (South Korea), the Taiwan delegation's professionalism and resilience have significantly bolstered Taiwan's visibility and reputation within the global humanitarian landscape.
This year's competition delved into some of the most pressing challenges of our time: the threat of nuclear weapons, conflict-induced hunger, and the environmental devastation caused by warfare. Second-year participant Yen Hsin-yu reflected on the evolving complexity of the legal issues. While previous years focused on technological accountability, such as drone warfare, this year's themes highlighted the long-term survival of humanity and the irreversible environmental impact of armed conflicts.
Under the guidance of Assistant Professor Tsai Pei-lun, the team demonstrated remarkable growth in their "Manner"—balancing rigorous legal argumentation with the necessary diplomatic warmth required in humanitarian advocacy. "The students successfully integrated past lessons, showing significant maturity in their overall presentation and composure under pressure," Professor Tsai noted.
The competition served as a vital platform for cross-cultural exchange. Team member Lo Ze emphasized the value of observing diverse argumentative styles from different nations. Meanwhile, Luke Browne, an International Studies major, shared his transformation from a legal novice to a critical thinker, crediting TRC's unwavering support as a cornerstone for his future career growth.
Beyond the courtroom, students participated in the seminar "International Humanitarian Law and the Challenges of Contemporary Armed Conflict." Engaging with legal scholars from Japan, Malaysia, and Vietnam, the participants explored the practical application of IHL in modern warfare and the real-world obstacles to its enforcement.
While the championship title went to Handong International Law School (South Korea), the Taiwan delegation's professionalism and resilience have significantly bolstered Taiwan's visibility and reputation within the global humanitarian landscape.
Bringing together 22 teams from across the Asia-Pacific, the event fosters a community of young legal elites dedicated to upholding humanitarian principles.
Through specialized seminars, students deepen their understanding of IHL's role in mitigating the human and environmental costs of modern conflict.