The University of Ottawa at the Jean-Pictet Competition
The Jean-Pictet Competition is a prestigious and demanding international program in international humanitarian law that brings together committed and highly motivated students from around the world. Through realistic simulations, legal negotiations, and crisis scenarios, the competition enables participants to apply theoretical knowledge to complex humanitarian situations and to develop rigorous legal judgment.
At the Civil Law Section and the Observatory on Human Rights at the United Nations, participation in the Jean-Pictet Competition is an integral part of our experiential learning and leadership development model. Each year, we prepare and support student teams through an intensive process that combines legal analysis, ethical reflection, teamwork, and practical engagement with the realities of armed conflict.
Our approach is grounded in the conviction that law is not only studied in classrooms, but lived, argued, and practiced in concrete contexts. Through Jean-Pictet, students are invited to confront the limits of legal frameworks, refine their professional responsibility, and cultivate a deep commitment to protecting human dignity.
Mentorship Network
Mentorship and Supervision
Each Jean-Pictet team is prepared under the academic supervision of Professor Pascale Fournier, Head of the Observatory. Students also benefit from a structured mentorship network composed of former participants, senior students, and Observatory collaborators. This intergenerational model ensures the transmission of experience, institutional knowledge, and best practices from one cohort to the next.​
Preparation Practices
Training and Preparation
Preparation for the Jean-Pictet Competition follows a rigorous and progressive model. Teams participate in regular training sessions, case analyses, and moot court exercises designed to simulate the intensity and complexity of the competition. External judges and practitioners — including members of the judiciary, international organizations, and the legal profession — are regularly invited to contribute to these simulations, providing professional feedback and strengthening the realism of the training process.​​​