International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
humanitarian organisations, often known simply as the Red Cross, after its original symbol.
The movement consists of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and 178 individual national societies. On October 29, 1863 sixteen countries finished meeting in Geneva and agreed to form the International Red Cross.
The organisation has more than 115 million volunteers.
Fundamental principles of the movement
- Humanity
- Impartiality
- Neutrality
- Independence
- Voluntary service
- Unity
- Universality
The emblem debate
Article 38 of the First Geneva Convention of August 12 1949 recognized three emblems for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement:
The Red lion and sun has not been used since 1980.
The organisation currently (as of 2003) accepts three religious symbols and refuses to recognize additional religious symbols, requiring all organisations to accept either the Red Cross or the Red Crescent emblems. For this reason, it is proposed to create a new emblem which will be acceptable by all nations regardless of their culture or religion. The new emblem was at one point thought to be the Red Diamond, which would be neutral yet simple and recognisable.
For more information, you may visit the following sections of the official www.redcross.int website:
See also
