The Principles and the Movement

Strategies and Policies

The most important Strategy related to the promotion of the Movement’s principles and values is Strategy 2010, specifically point 6.3.1, which establishes the promotion of the Principles and values as the first core area for focus by the Federation and its member National Societies.

Strategy 2010 is complemented by and runs concurrently with the Strategy for the Movement and the Agenda for Humanitarian Action of the 28th International Conference.

Policies provide detailed direction for the International Federation's humanitarian action in specific areas. They serve as a point of reference to ensure consistency in decision-making worldwide. Policies define the boundaries for the conduct of the Federation and the people working within it. Strategy 2010 provides the overall direction for the Federation's action in the years to come, and is at the centre of the policy framework.

The Fundamental Principles are the pivotal point of all Red Cross and Red Crescent thinking and policies. Many policies of the Federation and the Movement derive from or complete the Fundamental Principles. The Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and NGOs in Disaster Relief is an example of the Fundamental Principles and values in action in the field.

In a number of cases, Fundamental Principles can and should be used to decide which action should be taken by a component of the Movement, at any level. This is the very purpose of principles: to give directions for action when no specific policy or decision applies.