Council of Delegates 2011: Resolution 6

26-11-2011 Resolution

Preserving the historical and cultural heritage of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement

Council of Delegates of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, Geneva, Switzerland, 26 November 2011

The Council of Delegates,

recognizing the universal value of the historical and cultural heritage of all the components of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (hereinafter referred to as “the Movement”), that is, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies,

emphasizing the paramount importance of safeguarding this humanitarian heritage, of disseminating it and promoting it by all appropriate means, with the aim of fostering a better awareness and understanding of the roles and the identity of the Movement among current and future generations in order to inspire them to undertake humanitarian work in aid of vulnerable individuals and communities,

recalling that awareness of the history and operational experience of the components of the Movement is crucial to current and future deliberations about its humanitarian work and modes of action,

emphasizing the joint responsibility of all components of the Movement for ensuring that the Movement's historical and cultural heritage is preserved, safeguarded and promoted, and recalling the sustained efforts undertaken thus far by the components of the Movement to make this heritage accessible to as many people as possible,

recalling the role played by the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum in enhancing the prominence and influence of the historical and cultural heritage of the Movement,

welcoming the co-operation with National Societies initiated by the Museum, intended to assist in the preservation and promotion of their own heritage in museums and other heritage facilities in their own countries and regions,

mindful of national and international legal and ethical rules and principles governing the preservation, archiving and dissemination of historical data, in particular with regard to the protection and accessibility of personal data,

recognizing the breadth of experience and expertise of the components of the Movement, in terms of conserving, preserving and managing the Movement’s historical and cultural heritage, and also in terms of disseminating and promoting that heritage,

welcoming the entry of the International Prisoners-of-War Agency’s archives (1914-1923) into UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register in 2007,

1. asks all components of the Movement to raise the priority accorded to the preservation and utilisation of their historical and cultural heritage, to make it better known and appreciated by means of museums, exhibitions, archives, other heritage facilities, and through promotional activities, and to make effective use of this wealth of knowledge and experience in their current humanitarian activities;

2. encourages all components of the Movement to share their experience in preserving and promoting their historical and cultural heritage and to call upon the good offices of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum in Geneva and the expertise of the International Federation and the ICRC as needed;

3.  requests the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum, the International Federation and the ICRC, in consultation with National Societies, to present recommendations to the Council of Delegates in 2015 on preserving and promoting the Movement’s historical and cultural heritage, based on the experiences and the concrete action taken by the different components of the Movement in this domain.