Responsibilities

Standing Commission members' duties, as defined under Article 18 of the Statutes of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, encompass the following administrative, executive and governing responsibilities:

- to establish the provisional agenda of the International Conference,

- to establish by consensus the list of observers to the Conference,

- to promote the Conference and secure optimum attendance,

- to further the implementation of the resolutions of the Conference,

- to prepare the provisional agenda of the Council of Delegates,

- to establish by consensus the list of observers to the Council,

- to promote harmony in the work of the Movement and, in this connection, coordination among its components,

- to settle, pending final decision of the Conference, any difference of opinion which may arise as to the interpretation and application of the Statutes and Rules of Procedure,

- to settle, pending final decision of the Conference, any question which may be submitted to it by the ICRC or the Federation in connection with any difference which may arise between them,

- to select recipients of the Henry-Dunant Medal,

- to establish by consensus ad hoc subsidiary bodies to assist it in its work and to nominate its members.

The forthcoming elections of the five persons who are members of different National Societies, each elected in a personal capacity, affords an opportunity to choose candidates best qualified to fulfill the responsibilities of carrying out the statutory functions of the Standing Commission. To that end the Advisory Commission has elaborated the following profile of candidate for election to the Standing Commission:

Profile of membership: Qualifications required

The ideal qualities for membership on the Standing Commission can be categorised as those of leadership, motivation, character, knowledge, experience and availability to attend meetings and handle Commission affairs.

1. Leadership

The candidate should have a vision both for the Movement and for its role and influence within the larger international humanitarian community; to be capable and willing to address with creativity and determination. challenges facing the Movement; to be able to motivate and inspire fellow Commission members and other leaders of the Movement, to constructive and positive action in carrying out that vision.

2. Motivation

Membership on the Commission should not be sought for reasons of personal ambition, prestige or as an honorary position within the Movement nor for private ambition. Candidates should be motivated to act together with other members to serve in a personal non-partisan capacity, the sole interests of the Movement in the fulfilment of its humanitarian ideal and goals.

3. Integrity

Candidates should have a high consciousness of the ethical and professional responsibilities and commitment that membership on the Commission implies towards the Movement and beyond it. They should be inspired at all times in their decisions and actions by the Red Cross Red Crescent fundamental principles.

4. Character

The candidate should possess independent judgement; be sensitive to, and respect the concerns and opinions of others; be resolute and non-partisan in making decisions, and tolerant in carrying them out; have the courage to recommend what is right, even if that choice may not be popular; be reliable in meeting responsibilities and deadlines; be ready to work with team spirit to build within the Commission, conditions promoting unity and harmony among the components.

5. Knowledge

The candidates should be familiar with the Fundamental Principles of the Movement; the provisions of the Geneva Conventions and their additional Protocols and other relevant instruments of the Laws of War, of the Law of Human Rights, of the Law of Refugees; know the origins and historical development of the Movement; and both know and respect the Statutes , and Rules of Procedure of the Movement

Understanding of the functioning of the various components of the Movement, particularly Federation and ICRC functioning, is required.

The candidate should understand and respect the purpose and functions of the Standing Commission, and its inter-relationship with other bodies of the Movement; the purpose, functions, and inter-relationships of other components of the Movement; the relationship between the Movement and States party to the Geneva Conventions; and the role of the Movement within the larger international humanitarian community, in particular its relations with the United Nations system.

Fluency in English would facilitate communication among members of the Commission and knowledge of at least one other official language of the Movement is desirable.

6. Experience

Extensive experience with a National Society is desirable but, in its absence, a willingness to learn quickly through review of written materials is required.

Beyond experience in Red Cross - Red Crescent national and international affairs, the candidate should be unusually discerning concerning human events and actions, particularly within the larger international community; have experience of cross-cultural relations; have an interest to understand and keep informed on developments in international socio-economic and political affairs having direct impact on the Movement activities.

Candidates should have experience and understanding in matters of governance.

7. Availability

The candidate must have the availability to attend meetings of the Commission and to carry out Commission assignments.

It is advisable that the five members of different National Societies, each elected in a personal capacity, should not simultaneously hold other elective functions in the Federation to preserve their availability and to ensure their independence of judgement when dealing with matters before the Commission related to differences which may arise between the ICRC and the Federation.

(Extract from the Report of the Policy and Planning Advisory Commission "Future of the Mouvement", Geneva, December 1995)