Intercross The Podcast

In this episode of Intercross the Podcast, we sit down with Matthew Gibb, GIS Officer at the American Red Cross. Each year, disasters around the world devastate millions of people. But many communities are missing from the maps that responders use to deliver lifesaving aid. In our conversation, we talk about how the American Red Cross and partner organizations are using the power of crowd-sourcing and remote volunteers to put millions of people from high-risk countries on the map since 2014. Hosted by Niki Clark and Sara Owens.

In this episode of Intercross the Podcast, the last of a three part conversation in our cultural series, we are joined Christian Rouffaer, ICRC's head of virtual reality unit based in Bangkok. We chat about his role, why ICRC has decided to invest in virtual reality and how the organization is harnessing the power of video games to reach audiences in new and creative ways. We also talk about how VR technology works in the humanitarian space and how his time in contexts like Afghanistan, Yemen and South Sudan have shaped and colored his current work. Hosted by Niki Clark

In this episode of Intercross the Podcast, we sit down with ICRC’s Jess Markt, an American who coaches wheelchair basketball in war zones. At age 19, he suffered a spinal cord injury in college. Twenty one years later, he is bringing his experience and story to help others as ICRC’s first-ever Disability, Sport and Inclusion Advisor. In this conversation, we discuss his personal triumph over adversity and how he brings that experience to the disabled in some of the world’s most dangerous contexts. From Afghanistan to South Sudan and Cambodia, Jess is using sport to help the disabled see themselves in a different light, and witnessing some radical societal transformations along the way. We talk about diversity, what that term really means, and how he’s using his role at ICRC to change the way that people, and humanitarian organizations, think about what it means to fully integrate diversity into their work. Hosted by Anna Nelson and Sara Owens.

After thirty years in the US Marine Corps, including serving as Deputy Legal Advisor at the White House within the National Security Council, Ian Brasure recently joined the ICRC Delegation in Washington as the Deputy Legal Advisor. In this episode of Intercross the Podcast, Ian discusses his long--and inevitable--journey to the ICRC and his storied time in the military, including embracing the uncertainty following 9/11. We also chat about working under then-General James Mattis (now of course, the US Secretary of Defense), how the NSC has impacted his insights into his current role, and his constant companion through conflict (a dogeared copy of the Geneva Conventions). Hosted by Niki Clark and Anna Nelson

In this episode of Intercross the Podcast, the second of a three part conversation in our cultural series, we are joined again by Wes Rist, Deputy Executive Director of the American Society of International Law and Joe Gibson, Program Officer for International Humanitarian Law at the American Red Cross. This time, we discuss how the influence of video games. Nearly 2/3rds of American households have video game consoles, meaning audiences are being exposed to games in much greater concentration and in increasingly different ways. How does that translate to shaping public perceptions? We also chat about how video games are being utilized in humanitarian partnerships, military trainings and more. You can check out our first conversation here. Next week, we’ll be joined by Christian Rouffaer, the head of the ICRC's Virtual Reality unit based in Bangkok to discuss how ICRC is harnessing the power of video games to reach audiences in new and creative ways. Hosted by Niki Clark.

In this episode of Intercross the Podcast, our first of 2018, we are excited to add another iteration to our cultural series, where we explore the intersection of culture and conflict. In this episode, the first of a three part series, we sit down with Wes Rist, Deputy Executive Director of the American Society of International Law and Joe Gibson, Program Officer for International Humanitarian Law at the American Red Cross. Since 2012, ICRC has worked closely with the game developer Bohemia Interactive, who produces the award-winning Arma series of video games, to explore new ways to spread messages about international humanitarian law. In this first conversation, we talk about how a public relations hiccup resulted in a dynamic partnership and opportunity to talk about the rules of war to completely new audiences. We also discuss how including more realistic portrayals of armed conflict in video games can contribute to the user experience without taking away any of the fun. In the second episode, we are join

In this episode of Intercross the Podcast, we are joined by Martin Lacourt, ICRC in Washington’s Senior Armed Forces Delegate, and Koby Langley, Senior Vice President, Service to the Armed Forces and International Humanitarian Law for the American Red Cross. They discuss the work the Red Cross—both ICRC and National societies—does with military both domestically and globally. The American Red Cross has served more than 1 million military families since 9/11 including members of the military, veterans and their families prepare for, cope with, and respond to, the challenges of military service. ICRC works to bridge the cultural divide between arms bearers and humanitarians through trainings and IHL dissemination. What are the different ways ICRC and national societies approach this work? What are the challenges of engaging with these audiences? How does neutrality play a role? And has the evolving technology of warfare changed the way the Red Cross works and the needs we serve? Hosted by Niki Clark.

In this episode of Intercross the Podcast, we sit down with the ICRC head of delegation in Mali Jean Nicolas Marti. Marti has worked with ICRC for more than 20 years, in contexts ranging from Gaza and Afghanistan to Lebanon and Central African Republic. In our conversation we discuss the challenges of working in Mali, how the conflict has evolved since the ICRC began working there in 1991, and the strategic importance of a Malian presence, and what drives him after two decades of working in conflict. Hosted by Niki Clark and Sara Owens.

In this episode of Intercross the Podcast, we sit down with Sabrina Henry, Legal and Policy Officer at the ICRC delegation in Ottawa and the Canadian Red Cross and Christoph Harnisch, ICRC head of delegation in Colombia. Twenty years ago, on December 3, 1997, the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction, typically referred to as the "Ottawa Convention" or "Mine Ban Treaty," was signed. It was entered into force on March 1, 1999. The Convention seeks to end the use of anti-personnel landmines (APLs) worldwide. Our two guests talk about the treaty, the role Canada played in the adoption of the treaty and what it has meant on the ground in Colombia, one of the world’s most heavily mined countries. Hosted by Niki Clark.

In this episode of Intercross the Podcast, we sit down with Kimberly Gire, founder of the Global Women Leaders and Jyl Strong, ICRC in Washington’s Policy Advisor. They talk about how through the Global Women Leaders, women bankers, among other professions, have brought their unique skill sets to support humanitarian efforts around the globe. They also discuss the power and drive that comes from women joining together, how ICRC is looking into ways to utilize innovative financing tools, including the world's first humanitarian impact bond recently launched by the ICRC, and stories from Kimberly’s recent trip to Lebanon. Hosted by Niki Clark.

In this episode of Intercross the Podcast, we sit down with Esperanza Martinez, the ICRC’s Head of Health. Esperanza, who is based at the ICRC HQ in Geneva, Switzerland, has spent most of her life working in the health sector in the humanitarian sphere. She has brought her expertise all over the world, but most recently to Washington, DC to speak with other influential actors on a variety of challenges facing the health sector today, many of which take a heavy toll on communities affected by armed conflict and violence – the devastating and ongoing cholera outbreak in Yemen, the deterioration of public health services due to prolonged conflict, and the psychosocial effects of violence, displacement and gender-based violence, especially on women and children. In this episode, Esperanza helps us break down some of the complexities related to health and health systems and brings us back to the importance of one of the most basic aspects of our humanity. Hosted by Sara Owens and Anna Nelson.

In this episode of Intercross the Podcast, ICRC in Washington’s Deputy Legal Advisor, Andrea Harrison, sits down with three naval warfare experts on why we should be talking about the rules that govern conflict at sea. Professor Julian Ku, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and the Faculty Director of International Programs at Hofstra University School of Law, Lt Commander Peter Barker of the British Royal Navy and Associate Director for the Law of Coalition Warfare at the Stockton Center for the study of International Law, and Lt Colonel Jeffrey Biller of the U.S. Air Force and military professor at the U.S. Naval War College discuss the looming “hotspots” for naval conflict, the vulnerability of shipwrecked sailors, and how the cyber domain is driving an entirely new set of issues for conduct of naval warfare. Much has changed since the Geneva Conventions were written in 1949 - Where are the most realistic possibilities for a conflict that will be governed by the Second Geneva Convention? What happe

In this episode of Intercross the Podcast, we are excited to add another iteration to our cultural series, where we explore the intersection of culture and conflict. In this episode, we sit down with war photographers Louie Palu and Finbarr O’Reilly. Palu’s works have been featured in the New York Times, BBC and Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery. He recently released Front Towards Enemy, a book which examines the five years he spent covering the war in Kandahar, Afghanistan. O’Reilly is currently London-based, having spent 12 years in Central and West Africa as a photographer for Reuters. He recently released Shooting Ghosts, a memoir co-written with retired USMC Sgt. Thomas James Brennan, reflecting on the experiences of the war and the unlikely friendship they formed. In this podcast they discuss issues like: How do we consume and engage with images of war? What are the psychological and emotional costs of war for those who photograph conflict? How can photography change the perception that people have

In this episode of Intercross the Podcast, we sit down with ICRC in Washington’s Deputy Head of Communications Trevor Keck and Lauren Spink, the Center for Civilians in Conflict Peacekeeping Advisor. Trevor recently returned from a brief mission to South Sudan and Lauren is headed out to the country this week. We took the opportunity to chat with them both about the current challenges facing aid worker and peacekeepers. What are some of the protection issues? Are aid organizations able to secure humanitarian access? And as the largest donor to South Sudan—the US has spent nearly $10 billion since independence 6 years ago and pays more than a quarter of all international aid to the country each year—what does the current U.S. policy review for its approach to South Sudan mean for the situation on the ground?

In this episode of Intercross the Podcast, Head of Communications Anna Nelson sits down with our newest team member, ICRC in Washington's Spokesperson Marc Kilstein. Anna and Marc talk about nerding out over radio, the importance and honor of storytelling, Marc's hopes for his new position and their (not-so-secret) dreams of being poached by This American Life's Ira Glass. Or at the very least, making him a dedicated Intercross the Podcast listener. Hosted by Anna Nelson.

In this episode of Intercross the Podcast, we are joined by Interaction's Director of Protection Jenny McAvoy and Center for Civilians in Conflict's (CIVIC) Director for the Middle East, North Africa and Asia, Sahr Muhammedally. Nearly 50 million civilians are affected by urban warfare, mostly in the countries of Yemen, Syria and Iraq. As warfare moves more and more to populated areas, civilians bear the brunt, facing much greater risks and much higher fatalities rates. What are the challenges of this increasing trend? How can militaries prioritize civilian protection?  What are civilians experiencing in places like West Mosul and Raqqa? And how can the rules of war and the protection of civilians be integrated and respected more broadly in these contexts? Hosted by Trevor Keck.

In this episode of Intercross the Podcast, we are joined by ICRC's Head of Human Resources Marketing Markus Dolder. In the 1990s, the ICRC's staff was composed of about 80 percent Swiss. Now, that number is closer to 15%. Why has this makeup changed, and how had diversity contributed to furthering our mission? What skills are needed to be a successful delegate? Plus Markus shares the influence of the Iraq war on his career and the joy of bringing great people into an organization he's proud to work for. Hosted by Sara Owens and Niki Clark.

In this episode of Intercross the Podcast, we are joined by American Red Cross's Director of International Communications Jenelle Eli. Hurricane Harvey has dumped the equivalent of Lake Michigan on south and central Texas. What is the situation on the ground? How is the American Red Cross responding? What can you do if you find yourself in an emergency situation? And how can you help? Hosted by Niki Clark.

In this episode of Intercross the Podcast, we are joined by ICRC Deputy Legal Advisor Andrea Harrison to discuss the Geneva Conventions of 1949. The first Geneva Convention was signed in 1864, the year after the founding of the ICRC, and it was for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded in Armies in the Field with 57 States Parties. Most recently, the Geneva Conventions of 1949 were added, in part as a reaction to the tragedies of World War II. How have the content of the Geneva Conventions changed over time? Every State in the world is party to the Geneva Conventions. What does this say about their significance and importance? And 68 years after the 1949 Conventions, with the nature of conflict radically evolving, are they still relevant and can they still stand the test of time? Hosted by Tracey Begley and Niki Clark.

In this episode of Intercross the Podcast, ICRC Deputy Communications Director Trevor Keck speaks with Stephen A. Seche, former U.S. Ambassador to Yemen from 2007 to 2010 and current Executive Vice President at the Arab Gulf States Institute, and Oxfam's senior humanitarian policy advisor, Scott Paul. In this fast paced conversation, our guests discuss the Yemen crisis, the origins of the crisis and current state of play. They also discuss the humanitarian problems, including the cholera epidemic and how the situation got so bad. Finally, they address possible policy solutions and potential steps that parties and the international community can take towards a political settlement and to help better protect civilians. Hosted by Trevor Keck.