Support our 43rd Jean Pictet Competition journey

We are Safa Wadood, Syeda Zainab Ali, and Talha Arshad, second-year law students from Universal College Lahore in Pakistan. It's with great pride that we share our selection to represent our country in the 43rd Jean Pictet Competition in International Humanitarian Law, set to take place in Bredene, Belgium from February 25th to March 3rd. This event is a phenomenal opportunity for us to delve deep into the complexities of the Law of Armed Conflict, a subject not extensively covered in our curriculum.

Since its inception in 1989, the Jean Pictet Competition has been a prestigious platform for law students globally, emphasizing the practical application of International Humanitarian Law. We are thrilled to be part of this legacy but face a significant financial hurdle. The airfare for the three of us totals an overwhelming €3300 (about USD 3616/AU$5390). While we've successfully gathered €1920 (USD 2103/AU$3135) through our families, personal savings and the help of the university, covering the registration fee and part of the travel expenses, we still need €1880 (USD 2059/AU$3070) more to fully fund our trip.

Our participation is further challenged by the economic situation in Pakistan, where limited resources and fluctuating currency values make such international endeavors particularly daunting. To add to this, traditional sources of funding, like the ICRC in Pakistan, are currently unable to commit due to financial constraints and ongoing global issues. This information was shared with us by Usman Khan, the Legal Advisor and Head of Unit at ICRC Pakistan.

Despite these challenges, we have excelled in the competition's preliminary rounds, securing a spot in the top half globally and earning a 60% reduction in our registration fees due to the strength of our application. This acknowledgment is a testament to our potential and commitment. However, without this international exposure and specialized training in International Humanitarian Law, our ability to contribute significantly to the fields of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law in Pakistan may be limited.

This is why we're reaching out for your support. Any assistance you can provide would greatly aid us in not just representing Pakistan on this global stage but also in shaping our future careers in law.

Your support would mean the world to us and help keep our aspirations alive.

Bonafide certificates from the university and the Jean Pictet competition can be provided upon request.

P.S. - Our crowdfunding efforts are being managed in Belgium by a close family friend, as GoFundMe doesn't support direct donations to Pakistan.

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