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Principles and values
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Questions and answers
Is the drive to promote
fundamental principles and humanitarian values something new? What is new is that by
making the 'promotion of the fundamental principles and humanitarian
values' a core area of Strategy 2010, the need to consider this
issue strategically and explicitly is recognised. What are the "humanitarian values of the Movement"? In brief, “humanitarian values” can be described as:
While there is no direct link between previous Movement or Federation texts and the formulation of humanitarian values, we can trace the origin of the idea through earlier important Movement texts. For example, in “a memory of Solferino”, the book which is the origin of the Movement, Henry Dunant referred to “The moral sense of the importance of human life; the humane desire to lighten a little the torments” and to the “energy which gives one a positive craving to relieve as many as one can”. Similarly, the Geneva
Conventions can be seen as a detailed legal description of the
same sprit of humanitarian values - values which respect other human
beings. This is illustrated in Article
3, common to all 4 of the 1949 Conventions. This article states,
for example that “Persons taking no active part in hostilities
shall in all circumstances be treated humanely, without any adverse
distinction founded on race, colour, religion or faith, sex, birth
or wealth, or any other similar criteria”. See also the commentary
on this article. Does Strategy
2010 define humanitarian values? 1. It sets out the values prioritised by the Movement as important for external promotion as follows
2. It presents the main purpose of the promotion of humanitarian values as “to influence behaviour”: “The purpose of this core area is not simply to ensure that people – staff or volunteers, public or private authorities, or the community in general – know of these principles and values, but to influence their behaviour” (page 15)
In response to this, a review of all National Societies’ activities was undertaken, through looking at their profiles, as well as country and regional appeals, and cooperation assistance strategies. This was combined with a review of the decisions and resolutions of the statutory bodies of the Movement (Federation Governing Board, Federation General Assembly, Council of Delegates, International Conference) over the past 30 years. The result of both reviews showed that within
the scope of the values mentioned in Strategy 2010, the most common
element that bound all National Societies together was the desire
and concern to reduce discrimination in all and any of its forms. What is the main area of focus now for the Federation? The focus of the Federation is now therefore very clearly on the Reducing Discrimination Initiative. This tighter focus follows smoothly from S2010, which encouraged National Societies to “develop programmes to oppose discrimination and promote a culture of non-violence”. This area of focus was also accelerated by the tragic events and aftermath of September 11th, 2001. In more recent years, based on the 2003
pledge of the Federation - "Non-discrimination
and respect for diversity", This focus is strategic and pragmatic,
to facilitate common understanding and endeavour between National
Societies in this potentially very wide area. It is not a value
judgement regarding the other values mentioned in Strategy 2010,
rather it is believed that by focusing on reducing discrimination,
respect for diversity and promoting tolerance, the other values
such as “mutual understanding” and “respect for
the human being” will also be promoted. Is this current focus the final word on humanitarian values? The current focus on discrimination represents the area that currently most in common between National Societies, as well as being a response to the need for focussed and common action and understanding regarding the humanitarian values component of the core area. As the global context changes, and as National Societies priorities change, so will the Federation focus adapt accordingly. It is also important to note that other programmes within the definitions of Strategy 2010 mentioned earlier are also still considered to be humanitarian values programmes. It is useful to remember that the fundamental
principles took over 100 years to reach their current format, after
the first formulation in 1875. (See history
of the fundamental principles) How is this focus on discrimination being promoted? By creating, capturing, sharing and using knowledge based on good and best practices by National Societies, regional delegations and other organisations, and to support the work of National Societies and their interaction with governments and others in the community in their work to reduce discrimination and violence in the community. Please visit the web
pages of the Reducing Discrimination Initiative for much more
detail, including many examples of National
Society programmes related to the theme of reducing discrimination,
as well as regional
actions. How are humanitarian values implemented in Red Cross Red Crescent programmes? There are two common ways in which National Societies are implement humanitarian values:
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