Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, as Executive Vice-President of the Thai Red Cross Society, will preside over the Eighth Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Lecture on International Humanitarian Law on Friday 11 August 2017, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand. For this eighth lecture, Ms. Elisabeth Rehn, Former United Nations Under-Secretary-General, will deliver a lecture on the topic of “The Role of Women in Securing Peace, Justice, and Well-being”. 

The Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Lecture was first launched by the Thai Red Cross Society and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2003. Since its inception, seven lectures have been organized once every two years. This lecture is organized for the purpose of disseminating knowledge on international humanitarian law and promoting greater education and research of issues related to international humanitarian law. It is also a forum where qualified international experts can express their views and share their expertise including other considerations in order to promote greater understanding of international humanitarian law and its related issues among the general public especially those involved in humanitarian affairs. Participants invited to attend comprise of members of the diplomatic corps, public officials, representatives from international organizations and non-governmental organizations, university professors and students, students from the Royal Thai Army schools and the Royal Police Cadet Academy including members of the media.
 

Ms. Elisabeth Rehn played an important role in promoting humanitarian diplomacy and peace-building, and will share her vast experience gained from her previous appointments such as the United Nations Under-Secretary-General, Special Representative of the Secretary General in Bosnia and Herzegovina from 1998 to 1999 and the United Nations Special Rapporteur for Human Rights from 1995 to 1997.