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Special note on Pledges at the 31st International Red Cross and Red Crescent Conference
14-07-2011
The formal outcomes of the International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (Conference) are Resolutions. Conference members also have the opportunity to make Pledges to carry out actions in support of the implementation of resolutions adopted by the Conference.
Any member or observer of the Conference can make individual Pledges. Collective pledges can be made with other members or observers of the Conference.
Pledges – the benefits
Pledges, which were introduced during the 2003 International Conference, have become increasingly popular and are widely perceived as positive outcomes of the Conference. During the 30th International Conference in 2007, Movement components, governments and observers turned goodwill into specific and measurable humanitarian commitments through pledges. In total, 71 governments, 121 National Societies, the IFRC and the ICRC as well as three observers submitted 340 individual and collective pledges for the period 2008-2011.
The development and follow up of collective pledges can provide a useful platform for Movement components (National Societies, the IFRC and ICRC) to have local discussions with Governments on the successes and challenges of implementing particular pledges and resolutions. The development of pledges speaks to the world-wide power of the Movement.
Pledges can also provide a way for governments to show active recognition of and particular engagement with their own National Society on a number of Conference issues. Where a National Society wishes to develop a collective pledge with its government, it is recommended that the National Society sits with relevant government departments before, during and after a Conference to work on humanitarian themes and topics of mutual interest and concern.
Engaging in such a dialogue before the Conference can serve to highlight to both parties the practical benefits of co-operation. This dialogue continues during the Conference to ensure that the National Society and the government are both comfortable with and supportive of the substance of the planned pledge(s) and any direct or indirect obligations that will follow.
After the Conference, the National Society and the government will need to work together to monitor and review progress in the implementation of the pledge(s). The entire process can increase cooperation and direct activities between a National Society and its public authorities.
31st International Conference – pledges on Strengthening IHL and humanitarian action
For the 31st International Conference, pledges are expected to support the main themes of the Conference: Strengthening legal protection for victims of armed conflicts; strengthening disaster law; strengthening local humanitarian action and addressing barriers to health care.
'Model' or example pledges covering specific activities in these areas can be developed by Conference members (including ICRC and the IFRC) and will be circulated to other members with the opportunity to join (see guidelines below).
Model pledges offer opportunities for components of the Movement to work together and with their own authorities in a streamlined and focused approach to resolving humanitarian problems. Model pledges can support Movement components and Governments to approach issues on a national level or as part of wider approach, which may involve a number of countries or a region. Carefully crafted model pledges allow the substance to be concise enough to be genuinely useful and broad enough to take into account the diversity of the components of the Movement and Governments.
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