Red Cross Volunteer Brings International Humanitarian Law to Vermont Classrooms

By Dan Dowling, regional communications manager 

Chris Hardaway has always been driven by a passion for the law and the power of education. Now, as an American Red Cross volunteer based in Danby, Vermont, Hardaway is using his decades of international experience to lead a vital conversation about International Humanitarian Law (IHL) across the Green Mountain State. 

After graduating from law school, Hardaway practiced law for several years before transitioning into teaching at both the collegiate and law school levels. In the early 2000s, his career took an international turn when he was asked to work overseas with Serbian judges and lawyers as part of a USAID program under the U.S. State Department. 

“Much of my last two decades have been spent overseas, working in rule of law issues and international law, in a lot of places that normal people wouldn’t go,” Hardaway said. 

After returning to the United States in the late 2010s, he shifted his focus to teaching at Vermont Community College. In January 2026, Hardaway discovered the American Red Cross International Services volunteer program. It was an opportunity that felt like a natural extension of his experience and interests. 

“I’ve always enjoyed teaching, training, and working in the law, so I was looking for a way to volunteer and get what I like to do in there. I just happened to run across the program, and it seemed interesting,” said Hardaway. 

Through the Red Cross “Even War Has Rules” presentation, Hardaway travels throughout the state speaking with schools and organizations about the laws that govern war and why they still matter today. The goal is to help students and community members better understand how international humanitarian law seeks to protect human life and dignity during armed conflict. 

International humanitarian law (IHL) is a set of universal rules which place basic limits on how war is waged. It protects people who are not fighting, like civilians, and people who can no longer fight, like sick and wounded soldiers or those who surrender.  

On August 12, 1949, the four Geneva Conventions in their current form came into being. Now adopted by the United States and every other nation, they are the cornerstone of international humanitarian law, also known as the law of war or the law of armed conflict. 

Through free Red Cross programs like “Even War Has Rules,” participants gain insight into international affairs, past events, and current conflicts reported in the media. These courses also highlight the Red Cross’s unique role during armed conflict and its mandate to promote respect for humanitarian law worldwide. 

Recently, Dr. Stephon Boatwright, a professor at Saint Michael’s College, hosted Chris and the Red Cross in his class and emphasized the relevance of the presentation in today’s world. 

“These presentations are important, particularly in our contemporary politics. The nature of conflict is always changing and it’s necessary to reflect on the organizations that are working to make it more humane to some degree,” Boatwright said. 

For Hardaway, the most critical audience is the students. In a world where headlines are often filled with reports of global conflict, understanding the legal framework behind the news is essential for informed citizenship. 

"Young people are the ones that are going to be doing this. It's better to get a good, strong footing on what we should be doing, and what the world should be doing, so that you're ready when you decide what you want as a citizen,” Hardaway explained. 

Camden Simpson, a senior history major at Saint Michael’s College, participated in the session and said it deepened his understanding of humanitarian law, especially in relation to current global events. 

“I didn’t know that this was something that the Red Cross did, but I enjoyed the presentation. It really ties into the international laws that we’ve been looking at in class,” said Simpson. 

Through volunteers like Hardaway, the Red Cross continues its mission to educate, inform, and inspire, helping ensure that even in war, humanity remains at the center. He feels that the more people who understand international humanitarian law and its impact on human life and dignity, the more likely it is that these rules will be respected.  

For more information on the Red Cross IHL program visit www.redcross.org/humanityinwar.html.