The Research Service helps the ICRC achieve the best possible understanding of its operational and institutional working environment. To that end, it uses a range of tools and internal and external resources to scan media and other public sources of information. It also provides comprehensive information on contexts in which the ICRC operates and offers guidance on sources of information. It plays an essential role in providing context-specific information for delegates before their departure for the field, and in drawing their attention to the services and information sources they can have access to while in the field.

A structured and systematic approach to tracking external trends and issues made it possible to provide pertinent and timely information to ICRC management and operational staff throughout 2008. In crisis situations, a daily synthesis of information is provided on public issues linked to communication and operational strategies. This support is organized and closely undertaken with regional delegations to enhance the ICRC’s capacity to monitor issues by drawing on local, regional and international information sources. In 2008, a methodology was developed to measure ICRC visibility in public information sources (print, audiovisual and online media, blogs), as a contribution to result-based management and to guide public communication strategies. A range of standard products (the newsletter ICRC in the Press, Information Bulletin and press reviews) were produced on a regular basis and distributed electronically both at headquarters and in the field. Documentary support was also provided for ICRC field operations in the form of ad hoc thematic and context-related research and environment-scanning products, issued on request or in response to events of particular significance for the ICRC and its work.

Through its library and related services, the ICRC promotes knowledge of its role as a reference organization for IHL and of its mandate and operations among students, teachers, civil society, the media and the general public by providing access to its collection of over 140,000 books, periodicals, photographs and videos. An online catalogue is accessible through the ICRC’s web-site. Virtual access is possible to 100 print titles from the ICRC library, and e-journals currently available internally will eventually be part of the electronic library on the ICRC website.