HRH Princess Margriet of the Netherlands was first elected to the Standing Commission and became its Chairman during the 26th International Conference in Geneva in 1995. She was reelected for a second term during the 27th International Conference, also in Geneva, in 1999.

Princess Margriet's ties with the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement date back to 1966, when she joined a local branch of the Netherlands Red Cross as a volunteer. She has remained closely linked to the Red Cross ever since, elected as Vice-President of her National Society in 1987 and every year since.

The Princess' dedication to humanitarian work also embraces many other organizations. She is a member of several Advisory Committees, including; Summer Camps for Young Cancer Patients and the National Association for the Care of the Terminally Ill. She is Patroness of the Foundation "SOS Children's Villages -- the Netherlands", the Equestrian Foundation for the Disabled, among many others, and a member of the Comité d'Honneur of the Centre Européen de la Culture.

The Princess has played a dynamic and instrumental role during this exceptional Millennium year, closely involved in several of the key projects centered on the theme "the Power of Humanity", including; commemorations surrounding the 50th Anniversary of the Geneva Conventions, the 27th International Conference and the ground-breaking Opening Show held to launch the Conference.

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