Council of Delegates 2007: Resolution 7

24-11-2007 Resolution

Strategy for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement

Council of Delegates of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, Geneva, Switzerland, 23-24 November 2007

The Council of Delegates,

recalling Resolution 6 of the 2005 Council of Delegates, which adopted the updated Strategy for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement) reinforcing the ambition of building a stronger Movement through enhanced cooperation for effective humanitarian action throughout the world,

taking note with appreciation of the consolidated implementation report by the Standing Commission,the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (International Federation), and in particular of the initial work done by the Standing Commission on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of meetings within the Movement to “enhance dialogue and consultations within the Movement through better use of existing fora, and improved coordination of the agendas of statutory and other meetings,”as per Action 4 in the Strategy,

welcoming the Study on Operational and Commercial and other Non-operational Issues Involving the Use of the Emblems (the Study) prepared by the ICRC,

reaffirming the validity of the existing rules governing the use of the emblems, notably those contained in the 1949 Geneva Conventions, their Additional Protocols and the 1991 Regulations on the use of the emblem1 by the National Societies, and emphasizing the vital importance of respect for those rules to guarantee the protective value of the emblems and access to people in need of protection and assistance and to strengthen the identity of the Movement as a neutral and independent humanitarian actor,

further welcoming the report of the Joint ICRC/International Federation Commission for National Society Statutes emphasizing that the adoption of a strong legal base is a crucial element allowing National Societies to perform their mandate efficiently and in compliance with the Fundamental Principles,

acknowledging the continued relevance and importance of the Strategy for the Movement,

bearing in mind the need for ongoing analysis on how the components of the Movement can improve their individual and collective functioning in response to changing contexts and new challenges,

 

1.    urges all the components of the Movement to continue and, if possible, increase their efforts to implement the 10 Actions of the Movement’s Strategy and to report on their achievements, through the International Federation and, when relevant, through the ICRC, to the Standing Commission for an updated report to the 2009 Council of Delegates;

2.    urges the National Societies, the ICRC and the International Federation to generate better links to the local communities to which our humanitarian action is addressed, so that our mission is accomplished with quality and efficiency with full recognition of victims and vulnerable persons as an integral part of the Strategy;

3.    invites the International Federation, the ICRC and the Standing Commission to continue to monitor the implementation of the Strategy, with greater focus on measurable progress made by National Societies, and to submit a consolidated implementation report to the 2009 Council of Delegates along with recommendations as necessary;

On Action 3

Monitor and protect the integrity of the components, and ensure that every component complies with the Fundamental Principles

4.    urges all National Societies, as requested under Action 3 of the Strategy for the Movement, to examine and update their Statutes and related legal texts by 2010, in accordance with the Guidance for National Society Statutes and relevant International Conference resolutions;

On Action 4

Enhance dialogue and consultations within the Movement through better use of existing fora, and improved coordination of the agendas of statutory and other meetings

5.    invites National Societies, the ICRC, the International Federation and the Standing Commission, involved in the organization of international meetings within the Movement, to take into account the recommendations submitted by the Standing Commission:

  • to increase the efficiency of meetings and to ensure better articulation and continuity between different statutory and non-statutory meetings within the Movement, and
  • to enhance the involvement of National Societies in preparations, discussions and follow-up relating to meetings within the Movement;

6.    requests the Standing Commission to continue its work on Action 4, including making further recommendations in the way it finds appropriate;

On Action 10

Strengthen the components of the Movement’s relationship with the private sector

7.    invites the components of the Movement to utilize the recommendations of the Study to enhance the implementation of the rules governing the use of the emblems and to provide feedback to the ICRC on the content and use of the Study;

8.    requests the ICRC to continue its work on the Study, taking into account feedback received from the components of the Movement and further extending its consultations to States, and to inform the Council on progress made.

 

1. Regulations adopted by the 20th International Conference (Vienna, 1965) and revised by the Council of Delegates (Budapest, 1991)

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