The plenary commission began its work yesterday under the chairmanship of Ambassador Boris Shikhmuradov. During the morning it received two reports and then began debate on theme one of the draft Plan of Action.

Professor Lucius Caflisch, chairman of the First Periodical Meeting on International Humanitarian Law, gave a brief summary of his report on the meeting, held in Geneva in January 1998. Outlining its two main themes, namely the security of humanitarian workers, and armed conflicts linked to the disintegration of state structures, Professor Caflisch remarked: “These subjects are particularly topical now. At the meeting we put forward a broad range of ideas and this conference is entrusted with the task of following them up.” He explained that participants discussed the problems caused by the lack of respect for humanitarian personnel and the absence of state structures, before proposing ways to remedy those problems. Professor Caflisch suggested that the validity of these remedies is confirmed by the current international scene. He said: “In my view, it is necessary to apply and enforce the conclusions I suggested, but we must also hold further periodic meetings. Implementation of IHL calls for tireless daily effort and despite any fatigue, it is vital we persevere.”
In 1995, the UN General Assembly assigned the Russian Federation and the Netherlands the task of carrying out the preparatory work for the Third International Peace Conference. In May and June of this year, celebrations marking the centennial of the First Peace Conference were co-hosted in The Hague and St. Petersburg, respectively. The discussions in The Hague focused on disarmament, international humanitarian law and the peaceful settlement of disputes, while debates in St. Petersburg centred on the implementation of international norms and existing regulations. The report on the conclusions of the centennial celebrations was introduced at the 54th session of the General Assembly. Summing up the report, the Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation, Mr Vasily Sidorov, said: “Progress along the road to disarmament, arms limitations and control, development of the rules of IHL and effective use of mechanisms for dispute settlement are closely linked with strengthening the system of international law.
” Ambassador Hans Heinemann of the Netherlands underlined the importance of prevention: “In this day and age we need to realize that it is our duty to prevent conflicts, and to contribute to their resolution before situations deteriorate, and indeed before the application of international humanitarian law becomes necessary.”
Tuesday’s session of the plenary commission also debated the first theme of the Plan of Action 2000-2003: Protection of victims of armed conflict through respect of international humanitarian law. More than 50 delegates joined in the debate, representing National Societies, governments and observers, as well as the ICRC.

There are five goals of theme one, which it is hoped will be achieved through specific actions laid out in the plan. These goals are:

• Full compliance by all the parties to an armed conflict with their obligations under IHL to better protect and assist the civilian population and other victims.
  
• An effective barrier against impunity through the combination of international treaties and national laws concerning the repression of violations of IHL, and the establishment of an equitable system of reparations.
  
• Universal acceptance of IHL and the adoption of all necessary measures by states at the national level to ensure the implementation of their treaty obligations.
  
• Integration, by all states, of IHL in the procedures and training of armed and security forces and its promotion to relevant organisations, professional bodies and educational institutions.
  
• An end to the human tragedy caused by landmines and the establishment of effective controls on the availability of arms and ammunition.

A report on the work of the plenary commission will be presented to the conference’s plenary meeting on Friday morning. The two other themes before the commission – humanitarian action in times of armed conflict and other disasters, and strategic partnership to improve the lives of vulnerable people – will be debated on Wednesday and Thursday.

The drafting committee, under the chairmanship of Ambassador Philippe Kirsch, also began its work on Tuesday, starting with discussion of theme one of the Plan of Action. In the afternoon a working group of the drafting committee, under the chairmanship of Ambassador Marika Fahlén, reviewed theme two of the Plan of Action.

All National Societies and government representatives are entitled to attend the open-ended drafting committee, which will propose the wording of the final Plan of Action and the conference Declaration for adoption by the conference on Saturday.
In the last ten years, the worldwide volunteer force of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent has dropped by more than 50 per cent. According to a new study by the Federation, the number of volunteers has dropped from 220 million in 1990 to 105 million.

Falling numbers of members and volunteers is not limited to the Movement, but part of a global trend affecting churches, trade unions and humanitarian organizations. This trend is driven by changing social and political factors. The growth of individualism, the fall of communism with its system collective volunteering, and a shift of attitude away from volunteering as a civic duty to a leisure activity, have all contributed to a drop worldwide.

The photo exhibition 105 million volunteers, in the CICG lobby, is an appreciation of the work of the volunteers, who are the life blood of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

Christopher Black, a 30 year old Canadian, is the photographer behind the exhibition. In three months, he took photos of 255 people from 56 different countries. 105 of the images appear on a poster produced to coincide with the conference.

“I feel very privileged to have met so many people from such diversity. To me, this is the power of the Movement,”Christopher Black says.

Ten of the images of the volunteers are also available as postcards. They are on sale in packs of five at the publications stand in the foyer.
Yesterday the following pledges were presented:
Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement: Armenia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Canada, Congo, Czech Republic, Finland, Gabon, Ireland, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mali, Myanmar, Nordic countries, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Syria, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan, Yemen, Yugoslavia

Governments: Albania, Croatia, Estonia, Finland, France, Gabon, Holy See, Laos, Madagascar, Nordic governments, Sweden, Turkmenistan, United Kingdom, United States

Observers: Eritrean Government
Now on the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement website (www.redcross.alertnet.org www.redcrescent.alertnet.org), the Opening Show of Oct 31st -- "The power of humanity".

The show features a variety of artists from around the world, including; Vanessa-Mae, Riverdance, Manu di Bango and Cirque du Soleil.Choreographed especially to launch the 27th International Conference, this unique event is now available on the Movement’s new website.
On the first two days of the conference, the press office accredited more than eighty journalists representing media from all over the world. Newspapers, agencies and other media from as far afield as Japan, Turkey and the United States have sent reporters to cover the conference proceedings. The Swiss and European media were also well represented. The press office is run jointly by the Federation and the ICRC with support from the Bulgarian and British National Societies.
Fight against AIDS in developing countries - from 5.00 pm in room B1, ITU building
The aim of this workshop is to enable participants to share their experiences and further promote the Movement's action concerning the fight against AIDS. AIDS prevention, education and improving access to treatment will be some of the topics discussed.

Ensuring respect for international humanitarian law: towards appropriate mechanisms - at 5.00 pm in room B2, ITU building
The creation of a mechanism for the exchange of information on international humanitarian law and a re-examination of the role of ‘protecting power’ will be the two main themes for discussion at this workshop.

The SirUS project and reviewing the legality of new weapons - from 5.00 pm in room A, EFTA Building
The ‘superfluous injury or unnecessary suffering (SirUS) project’ is based on a medical study of the injuries suffered by more than 26,000 victims of weapons. The history and content of this project will presented together with a description of how the approach is already being integrated into arms reviews in different states.

A forum on promoting a culture of peace: root causes of violence will also be held today. Discussions will centre on gender and violence - from 1.00 pm to 5.00 pm in the Omega Auditorium, International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum
A video featuring the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement’s response to the Kosovo crisis will be screened in the main auditorium at 12.30pm today. The nine-minute production entitled Uncertain future, will be shown in English.

The director of the Federation’s Europe department, Bjorn Eder and Angelo Gnaedinger, the ICRC’s delegate general for Europe, Middle East and North America will introduce the film.

The video is available in English, French, Spanish and Arabic. To order copies, please leave your name at the press desk next to the internet café on the ground floor.
Respect for International Humanitarian Law, a handbook for parliamentarians produced jointly by the ICRC and the Inter-Parliamentary Union, will be officially launched at a press conference at 3.00pm today in salle 17.
Alleviate the stiffness of sitting in meetings by doing some simple exercises. Start with your feet: rotate each foot slowly in a clockwise direction five times, then repeat in an anticlockwise direction.

Raise both your shoulders then let them fall. Raise only the left shoulder and let it fall, then do the same with the right shoulder. Repeat this sequence five times.

For your head and neck: rotate your head slowly in a circle, three times clockwise, and three times anticlockwise. Then let it fall slowly to the front, to the left, to the right and finally back. Repeat this 10 times.

This bulletin is for information purposes only. It does not constitute an official record.