International Humanitarian Law Youth Action Campaign
About the Competition
The IHL Youth Action Campaign is an American Red Cross program that empowers youth to explore the rules of armed conflict and raise awareness through student-led campaigns. Since 2020, JROTC cadets have helped educate over 250,000 people and reached more than 500,000 via social media.
Army JROTC has partnered with the Red Cross to offer this as a Service Learning Project. Each year, cadets focus on a theme tied to humanitarian protections. The 2024–2025 theme centers on Space Law and Armed Conflict, exploring how IHL helps prevent the destructive effects of emerging weapons.
Cadets compete globally across all service branches. Teams complete training, then design and launch creative awareness campaigns—past efforts included art contests, comic book events, movie nights, and social media outreach.
Top teams will be recognized by the Red Cross, and one school will be named the JROTC International Champion—earning a trip to Washington, D.C. for the Youth Action Campaign Summit in July 2025.
Upcoming IHL Youth Action Campaign Events
| 📅 Date | 📍 Location | 🏆 Event Name |
|---|---|---|
| Sep–Oct 2025 | Nationwide (Virtual & Local) | Team Registration & Training Window |
| Oct 2025 – Apr 2026 | Local Schools & Communities | Cadet-Led Awareness Campaigns |
| May 2026 | Online Submission | Final Project Deadline |
| Jul 2026 | Washington, D.C. | Youth Action Campaign Summit |
| Exact dates will be announced by Brigade and Red Cross coordinators. | ||
Benefits of Participating
- Fulfill your Service Learning Project requirement in a meaningful way.
- Build skills in public speaking, advocacy, project management, and creative design.
- Compete for a trip to Washington, D.C. and attend the prestigious Youth Summit.
- Educate your community about humanitarian protections and reduce suffering in conflict zones.
- Join a nationwide movement and connect with fellow cadets and advocates.
Past JROTC International Champions
- 2024–2025: Coming July 2025 — winner to be announced at the Youth Summit
- 2023–2024: Ravenwood High School (TN)
Information & Registration
- Learn more about the IHL Youth Action Campaign
- JROTC Informational Page
- Brochure: Nuclear Weapons & Armed Conflict (English)
- Brochure: IHL & Environmental Protection (Spanish)
Video Highlights
Red Cross IHL Youth Action Campaign: JROTC Competition introduces the program and shows how cadets lead awareness campaigns on humanitarian protections.
Red Cross JROTC IHL Competition: 2022 International Champs celebrates top cadet teams and showcases their creative outreach efforts.
The IHL Youth Action Campaign National Showcase highlights youth achievement and the impact of cadet-led education campaigns.
National Youth IHL Symposium (YAC Summit 2023) documents cadet participation in the Youth Summit and showcases service learning in action.
IHL YAC Final Project Ansbach 4 features a JROTC battalion’s final campaign project, showing how cadets apply IHL principles locally.
Competition Materials
International Humanitarian Law Youth Action Campaign
About the Competition
The IHL Youth Action Campaign is an American Red Cross program that empowers youth to explore the rules of armed conflict and raise awareness through student-led campaigns. Since 2020, JROTC cadets have helped educate over 250,000 people and reached more than 500,000 via social media.
Army JROTC has partnered with the Red Cross to offer this as a Service Learning Project. Each year, cadets focus on a theme tied to humanitarian protections. The 2024–2025 theme centers on Space Law and Armed Conflict, exploring how IHL helps prevent the destructive effects of emerging weapons.
Cadets compete globally across all service branches. Teams complete training, then design and launch creative awareness campaigns—past efforts included art contests, comic book events, movie nights, and social media outreach.
Top teams will be recognized by the Red Cross, and one school will be named the JROTC International Champion—earning a trip to Washington, D.C. for the Youth Action Campaign Summit in July 2025.
Upcoming IHL Youth Action Campaign Events
| 📅 Date | 📍 Location | 🏆 Event Name |
|---|---|---|
| Sep–Oct 2025 | Nationwide (Virtual & Local) | Team Registration & Training Window |
| Oct 2025 – Apr 2026 | Local Schools & Communities | Cadet-Led Awareness Campaigns |
| May 2026 | Online Submission | Final Project Deadline |
| Jul 2026 | Washington, D.C. | Youth Action Campaign Summit |
| Exact dates will be announced by Brigade and Red Cross coordinators. | ||
Benefits of Participating
- Fulfill your Service Learning Project requirement in a meaningful way.
- Build skills in public speaking, advocacy, project management, and creative design.
- Compete for a trip to Washington, D.C. and attend the prestigious Youth Summit.
- Educate your community about humanitarian protections and reduce suffering in conflict zones.
- Join a nationwide movement and connect with fellow cadets and advocates.
Past JROTC International Champions
- 2024–2025: Coming July 2025 — winner to be announced at the Youth Summit
- 2023–2024: Ravenwood High School (TN)
Information & Registration
- Learn more about the IHL Youth Action Campaign
- JROTC Informational Page
- Brochure: Nuclear Weapons & Armed Conflict (English)
- Brochure: IHL & Environmental Protection (Spanish)
Video Highlights
Red Cross IHL Youth Action Campaign: JROTC Competition introduces the program and shows how cadets lead awareness campaigns on humanitarian protections.
Red Cross JROTC IHL Competition: 2022 International Champs celebrates top cadet teams and showcases their creative outreach efforts.
The IHL Youth Action Campaign National Showcase highlights youth achievement and the impact of cadet-led education campaigns.
National Youth IHL Symposium (YAC Summit 2023) documents cadet participation in the Youth Summit and showcases service learning in action.
IHL YAC Final Project Ansbach 4 features a JROTC battalion’s final campaign project, showing how cadets apply IHL principles locally.
Competition Materials
