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Strategy
for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
Some of you may remember that the need to initiate and develop a strategy
for the Movement evolved during the 90's through the work of the Study
Group of the Movement, the Advisory Commissions and through Council of
Delegates' resolutions, notably resolution 3/9/d in 1995 and resolutions
1 and 5 in 1999.
The Strategy is clearly a milestone in our work. Its basic message is
to more forcefully develop cooperation and coordination between all components
of the Movement in order to more efficiently and effectively serve the
needs of vulnerable people and victims of wars, conflicts and other disasters
and emergencies. We were able to build on the 'Seville Agreement' of 1997,
which was an achievement in its own right and has immensely improved our
internal cooperation and coordination in emergency operations. In addition
to its significance in defining the roles of the ICRC, the Federation
and to some extent, the National Societies in emergency operations, the
real added value of the Seville Agreement is in its preamble: it is not
so much about the division of work but about building a spirit of cooperation,
where the components of the Movement can better work together complementing,
not competing with each other.
The Strategy for the Movement, which we have just adopted, takes this
spirit of cooperation further. It defines three specific strategic objectives,
the actions to achieve them and the expected results. It is now up to
the components – the ICRC, the Federation and the National Societies
– to make sure we implement those actions. The Standing Commission
will closely monitor, promote and consult whenever possible with all to
ensure that we do just that. Together with representatives of all components,
we will collect information on progress made. We will analyse results
and report back to the Council in 2003 where we as a Movement stand. If
the need arises, we will prepare and propose revisions of the Strategy
for the members of the Council to decide upon. I hope that the actions
for implementing the Strategy will be on the agenda at all regional and
sub-regional meetings in order to achieve the objectives we have agreed
upon.
IDPs and Refugees
Most of our National Societies are involved in one way or another in work
with IDPs and refugees. They certainly are people in vulnerable situations
during emergencies and conflicts and also when settling into new environments.
The need for assistance in various forms, from psychological support to
food and shelter is continuously there. As Red Cross / Red Crescent we
must not only provide the concrete assistance needed but also strongly
advocate for their plight and fight any form of discrimination and intolerance
in all our communities.
In order to build on the partnership that already exist between our Movement
and UNHCR, I invited Mr. Ruud Lubbers – the UN High Commissioner
for Refugees – to address the Council on this subject. The Council
calls, amongst other things, on all components to ensure that the Movement's
response at all times adopts a global approach and that we address the
needs of refugees, internally displaced persons as well as those of the
resident population. We are asked to advocate and to better coordinate
not only amongst ourselves but also with other humanitarian actors. We
are further asked to remind governments and other relevant partners of
the principles of humanitarian law applicable and to adhere to our own
fundamental principles.
Many National Societies have different kinds of cooperation agreements
with UNHCR. The Council requests the ICRC and the Federation to initiate
consultations with UNHCR on the terms upon which we engage in such cooperation.
These are to be brought to the next Council. National Societies are reminded
that it is their obligation to inform the Federation and/or the ICRC of
their existing formal agreements with external partners, agencies of the
UN and other international organisations and any negotiations likely to
lead to such agreements.
Emblem
The Standing Commission has tirelessly, with Mrs Christina Magnuson as
its special representative, and in close cooperation and coordination
with the ICRC and the Federation sought a solution to the longstanding
emblems issue. A diplomatic conference involving states was scheduled
for October 2000 to discuss and eventually adopt the proposed additional
emblem – a red frame in the shape of a square on edge. This conference
had to be postponed owing to the situation in the Middle East. Ever since,
plans to convene it have had to be abandoned for the same reason. With
states being the key actors, the Movement can only continue its quiet
diplomacy and promotional work to continuously remind governments of the
importance to find a necessary, comprehensive solution.
The Council reaffirmed its support to such continued efforts. It also
expressed its satisfaction with the operational cooperation, which is
growing with those National Societies in formation, whose recognition
is awaiting the formal solution to the emblems issue.
As Chairman, I can only reconfirm the Standing Commission's determination
to continue its efforts in the outlined direction. I also call on all
our National Societies to contribute to this effort and to dialogue with
their own governments and thus try to influence the convening of the essential
diplomatic conference.
Report of the Standing Commission
Since 1999 the Standing Commission has been following the implementation
of decisions taken by the International Conference as well as by the Council
of Delegates. The focus has been on continued promotion of a united, efficient
and effective Movement's response to disasters, on clear strategic directions
to the Movement to present a strong united voice on humanitarian challenges,
on the emblems issue and on developing the International Conference into
the foremost humanitarian forum.
Past and present Councils have asked the Standing Commission to continue
to involve National Societies. In the past two years we have had five
different working groups benefiting from both new talent and long-time
experience from National Societies. There was the group developing the
Strategy for the Movement, a group on improving our response in international
relief operations and the working group on finding a solution to the emblems
issue. These three groups have formally concluded their tasks as the work
concentrates on implementation of the results they produced such as the
Strategy, the recommendations for international relief and the continued
efforts to solve the emblems issue. Two groups still continue within their
respective mandates: one on preparing the International Conference 2003
and the group planning and developing the next Council, also in 2003.
For planning purposes, it is important to note that all statutory meetings
and the International Conference will take place during the time period
of November 26 – December 15 in 2003.
We will continue to work with National Societies also through our own
participation in as many regional and sub-regional conferences and meetings
as possible. They provide an excellent opportunity for us as Commission's
members to be informed about the realities and challenges that National
Societies face in their work and to keep Movement issues on the agendas.
These meetings also provide a good forum for testing and reviewing the
Movement's policies in the context of local realities.
Looking ahead
The implementation of the Strategy is a high priority in the coming two
years. In most outlined actions, the Federation and/or the ICRC have a
lead role. However, many actions specifically call for cooperation and
consultation with the National Societies. The Working Group on the International
Conference will meet again in December this year to continue its work
taking into account the feedback and the messages regarding the theme
that were expressed at the Council in November as the group presented
its progress report. Next year, work on the 2003 Council will already
have to begin to make sure we are in tune with the preparations for the
Conference and to follow-up from this year's experiences and resolutions.
Two statutory regional conferences will take place in 2002: all of Europe
will meet in April in Berlin and the Asia-Pacific Region will convene
in November in the Philippines. Important Movement issues will be on the
agenda, also influencing our work on the above-mentioned Conference and
Council in 2003.
Thank You
Let me conclude by expressing my sincere thanks for the support we have
enjoyed. Without the participation and commitment of so many National
Society representatives and the financial contributions we have received,
our working groups could not have performed and we might not have had,
for instance, a Strategy to guide our work as a Movement towards new challenges.
The ICRC and the Federation have contributed to our core expenses and
participated widely with their staff in the working groups, for which
I wish to thank them all. In addition we have benefited from the contribution
and deep commitment from staff on loan from the ICRC and the Norwegian
Red Cross. Without Anne Bergh from the Norwegian Red Cross and Frank Schmidt
from the ICRC, it would have been much harder for our small secretariat
to achieve its part of the work to be done on the Strategy. My sincere
thank you for this important contribution and support.
We look forward to also count on you in 2002. We will continue to need
your active input and participation as well as your financial assistance.
We hope to benefit from your staff and volunteers.
As this is the last Newsletter of this year, please accept my best wishes
for the season and for a successful year 2002 for all National Societies,
your staff and volunteers.
Sincerely yours,
Princess Margriet
Chairman
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