The meeting attracted experts from the fields of political science, international studies and social sciences.

"The discussions centred on whether IHL could be taught outside law faculties and whether the academic community would support this idea," said Dr Umesh Kadam, the ICRC's regional legal adviser for academic circles in Kuala Lumpur. "Models already exist for this, such as "How does law protect in war," a curriculum developed by the ICRC legal division in Geneva. The ICRC also has a track record of working with academic institutions in the Philippines." He mentioned The Asia-Pacific Yearbook, produced jointly with the Institute of International Legal Studies of the University of the Philippines (UP), and the organization of training courses for professors wishing to introduce IHL into their teaching.

According to Dr Carolina Hernandez, professor emeritus of the UP Department of Political Science: "The University of the Philippines in Quezon City is a centre for excellence in political science. My assumption is that all experienced political-science professors include humanitarian issues in their teaching. Courses should be designed accordingly." Dr Hernandez said that the UP Department of Political Science taught IHL and human rights as part of a social sciences course.

The meeting was also attended by Prof. Sharon Caringal, UP Manila; Prof. Bubbles Beverly Asor, UP Los Baños; Prof. Francisco Magno, De La Salle University; Prof. Zenia Rodriguez, University of Santo Tomas; Prof. Ana Rhodora Solar, College of St Benilde; Prof. Leticia Ramos-Shahani and Dr Jasmin Galace, Miriam College; Prof. Noel Bejo, Far Eastern University; and Prof. Sergio Gelera, University of Eastern Philippines, Samar.