Hard work pays off in 'life-changing' competition

Bhavik Aggarwal, Kate Darby, and Easha Madappa have won the 45th edition of the Jean-Pictet Competition on International Humanitarian Law (IHL) held in Antalya, Türkiye. Their victory marked the third consecutive win for UNSW Law & Justice teams.

UNSW Law & Justice Dean, Professor Andrew Lynch, praised the team's success, stating, "Winning the Jean-Pictet Competition for the third consecutive year of participating is a testament to the exceptional talent and dedication of our students and faculty. This achievement underscores the importance of supporting and developing the next generation of humanitarian lawyers."

The team's coach, Professor Sarah Williams, expressed her pride in their achievement. "The team worked tirelessly over five months, mastering IHL and related fields, as well as honing the soft skills required for the competition. Their dedication and hard work paid off, culminating in a well-deserved victory," she said.

The competition brought together hundreds of students from around the world, including those from conflict-affected countries. Bhavik Aggarwal emphasised the profound impact of forming friendships and learning from peers with unique perspectives. "The experience fostered a tight-knit community of individuals passionate about the law and its potential to protect victims of war," he said.

"...the Pictet competition was a stark reminder of the obligation to champion humanitarian law and seek justice for those affected by conflict."

Easha Madappa described the competition as "nothing short of inspiring and life-changing." She added, "Coming from Australia, where armed conflict is a distant reality, participating in the Pictet competition was a stark reminder of the obligation to champion humanitarian law and seek justice for those affected by conflict. The role-playing elements of the competition allowed us to develop not only our legal skills but also our humanity, empathy, and compassion."

Kate Darby highlighted the unique nature of the competition, stating, "One day, you might negotiate access to a prisoner of war camp, and the next, you could be taken hostage by a non-state armed group. This immersive experience solidified my passion for public international law and provided invaluable insights into the realities of conflict."

Congratulations to Bhavik, Kate, and Easha for their remarkable achievement and to Prof. Sarah Williams for her exceptional coaching. The UNSW Law & Justice community looks forward to seeing these talented individuals continue to make a positive impact in the field of international humanitarian law.