Jean-Pictet Competition
The Jean-Pictet Competition is a prestigious and challenging event that brings together talented and passionate individuals to compete in the field of international humanitarian law. As one of the most renowned international law competitions, it provides participants with an opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world situations, engaging in mock trials, legal negotiations, and crisis simulations.
With a focus on humanitarian law, the competition challenges teams to uphold the principles of justice, human dignity, and the protection of vulnerable populations. Whether participating as a competitor or a supporter, the Jean-Pictet Competition embodies a dedication to advancing global humanitarian efforts and the rule of law.
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At the Observatory on Human Rights at the UN, we are committed to fostering the next generation of leaders in international humanitarian law. As a result, we aim to send participants to the Jean-Pictet Competition on an annual basis, providing them with the opportunity to showcase their skills, deepen their understanding of humanitarian law, and engage in meaningful simulations.
In 2025, we proudly sent two teams—one anglophone and one francophone—to the competition, marking the beginning of what we hope will become a long-standing tradition. This initiative aligns with our vision of empowering individuals to advocate for human rights, justice, and global peace, while creating a lasting impact on the international legal community.
Our Anglophone Team in Bali, Indonesia
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From February 22 to March 1, 2025, the anglophone team of the Observatory on Human Rights at the UN of the University of Ottawa — Stéphanie St-Jacques, Clara Byk Giroux, and Simona Lombardo (from left to right) — proudly represented the Observatory at the Jean-Pictet Competition in Denpasar, Bali.
As the only Canadian teamamong 49 participating teams, they stood out for their teamwork and integrity. Throughout the week, the team applied International Humanitarian Law (IHL) through a series of immersive armed-conflict simulations, showcasing the Observatory’s commitment to experiential learning, principled advocacy, and the development of globally engaged jurists. Their participation exemplifies one of the Observatory’s core values: that the law is not only studied — the law is lived, the law is pleaded, and the law requires concrete engagement with the world.
Our Francophone Team in Antalya, Turkey
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From February 8 to 15, 2025, the francophone team representing the Observatory on Human Rights at the UN of the University of Ottawa — Christian Mpabwa, Raphaël Grenier-Benoît, and Coline Moreau (from left to right) — competed in the francophone edition of the Jean-Pictet Competition in Antalya, Türkiye.
Selected among 20 francophone teams, these three exceptional doctoral students applied International Humanitarian Law (IHL) through demanding and realistic armed-conflict simulations. Their work reflected both the rigor and curiosity that define the Observatory and its mission. Like their anglophone counterparts, they embodied the Observatory’s conviction that the law goes far beyond textbooks: law is practiced, argued, and grounded in a concrete commitment to populations affected by conflict and injustice.