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Echoes from the 27th International Conference
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Five participants reflect on the conference:
join the discussion by joining the Movement web site's discussion
group at rcrc-magazine
at www.egroups.com, or
by writing directly to mvmt_webmaster@ifrc.org
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The 27th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red
Crescent was a success for two reasons. First, the Plan of
Action adopted by consensus covers all the important aspects
of humanitarian action and identifies the essential points on
which the states party to the Geneva Conventions and the
components of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent
Movement need to act in the coming few years. It is a
reference document, a tool, which will enable us to keep a
close track of progress made and problems encountered and to
report back to the 28th Conference.
Second, I think the organizers did well not to be afraid to
innovate. The pledges made by the states and the Movement's
components reinforced the humanitarian nature of this
conference "with a difference". The workshops added
a special dynamism by allowing discussions on new issues or
ones that have not yet achieved a consensus to take place in
an atmosphere conducive to dialogue.
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Jacques Forster
Vice-President ICRC
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Philippe Kirsch
Canadian Ambassador to Sweden
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The main challenge of the conference was to agree on a Plan of Action that
would be practical, meaningful and dynamic. All in all, the results are
satisfactory. The document that was adopted reflects not only an effort to
make progress on such long-standing objectives as the overall protection of
the civilian population, but also a general understanding that new
circumstances require new focus. This is exemplified by provisions on such
issues as small arms, anti-personnel landmines, the needs of women and
girls, children in armed conflicts and protection of humanitarian personnel.
Some of the specific commitments that were originally sought were qualified
during the negotiations, but no significant elements of the original draft
were lost. The value of the Plan of Action will depend on actual
implementation of the commitments that have been accepted. The tendency of
some states to emphasize existing obligations and downplay new commitments,
as well as the absence of any specific reference to internal conflicts
despite the humanitarian crises they created in the recent past,
unfortunately reflects a continuing tension between sovereignty and security
concerns, on the one hand, and the development and implementation of
international humanitarian law, on the other.
The need to accommodate many special concerns to achieve a Plan that was
acceptable to all led to results that stand at some distance from the raison
d'être of events such as the conference, which is an unequivocal commitment
to the protection of victims. Yet, there is no real alternative if progress
is to be made with the cooperation of states and other interested parties.
The challenge now is to go beyond the simple acceptance of humanitarian
values and to develop an understanding that they are complementary to and
not inconsistent with the interests of all concerned.
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A new beginning
The joint strategies and workshops were not the only new feature of this
conference. Artists from around the world contributed their musical and
dancing talents to an opening concert. All production costs were covered by
corporate sponsors, in particular Credit Suisse Group, Tetra Pak and Royal
and Sun Alliance. The show's theme centred around the four elements (water,
air, earth and fire) calling attention to the positive and negative forces
in man and nature. Princess Margriet of the Netherlands, Chairman of the
Standing Commission, explained that "through this public opening show
we want to convey a message of hope, celebrating humanity and challenging us
all to work for a better future."
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Razia Essack-Kauaria
Secretary General
Namibian Red Cross
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The themes and declaration of the 27th International Conference are vitally
relevant to our daily work here. However, our developing-country status as
well as our limited expertise and experience made us marginal players, where
major governments and powerful G24 National Societies dominated the
decision-making.
In the Red Cross, Red Crescent world, assisting the most vulnerable should
be our first priority. But during the conference, it appeared that
geopolitical interests were first on the agenda followed by humanitarian
commitment.
I was particularly concerned by the election of the members of the Standing
Commission. I would like to urge better advance preparations by African
National Societies. We must improve the quality of our participation and
recognize that unity could have meant an African member for the Standing
Commission. It is true that financial resources and government support are
necessary to secure a seat, but if we organize ourselves there is no doubt
we can mount an effective campaign despite our poverty.
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We can always do some things better but overall the conference was a
success.
Why was the conference successful? Partly because it involved a more
innovative process than before. The move to a Declaration and Plan of Action
was good, the concept of pledging added a further degree of commitment and
the workshops gave the possibility to explore in more depth some of the
underlying issues.
Was the outcome sufficient for all the work that went into it? By and large,
yes. Some parts of the Plan of Action were modified in the drafting
committee. That is what a drafting committee is for - to build consensus.
The Movement has to recognize that governments can legitimately argue that
they would rather adopt a Plan of Action that is realistic, that they can
commit to, than adopt a Plan of Action for the sake of it without the intent
to implement.
So all now depends on what we make of the outcome. How far the Movement and
governments act on the basis of the Plan of Action to change the future of
humanitarian action.
In that sense of course, the question "Was the conference a
success?" can only be answered in four years time, at the 28th
Conference.
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Steve Davey
Under-Secretary General for Communications and Policy International
Federation
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Phan Wannamethee
Secretary-General
Thai Red Cross
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On the eve of the new millennium it was appropriate that the Red Cross, with
over a century of history of humanitarian activities both in times of war
and peace, paused to reflect on the future and define new plans of action
and strategies.
We feel that the conference was both significant and successful. The
preparations for it gave National Societies the opportunity to initiate
their own process of self-evaluation and planning. The system of pledges for
three years was an important contribution, as it mobilizes all participants
to formulate concrete strategies and establish norms of evaluation of
action.
Two of the four core areas outlined at the conference have always been
concerns of the Red Cross: disaster response and disaster preparedness. The
area of promotion of the Movement's Fundamental Principles and humanitarian
values assumes a special significance as the UN begins to place stronger
emphasis on human rights concerns. The other core area of health and care in
the community will continue to challenge the Red Cross, particularly the
HIV/AIDS pandemic.
The slogan "Power of Humanity" reflects well the ideals of Red
Cross and the Red Crescent Societies to build a more humane society.
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