Making Humanitarian Values Yours!
Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, as recognised auxiliaries to the public authorities in the humanitarian field, enjoy a strong and positive dialogue relationship with their countries’ governments on all humanitarian matters relevant to equality and discrimination. The International Federation, similarly, works closely with the United Nations system and other members of the international community towards the same ends.
The RC has identified discrimination and disrespect for diversity as among the key challenges facing the global community. This was one of the reasons for the decision by the International Federation to lodge a Pledge on "Non discrimination and respect for diversity" during the International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent in December 2003 – a Pledge which is supported by all National Societies, and which forms an important part of their own dialogue with governments on this important subject.
Through this document, the RC committed itself to:
- Take the initiative to learn about and understand better the trends that fuel intolerance, violence, discrimination and lack of respect for diversity and actions that can combat these trends;
- Integrate respect for diversity and the promotion of non-discrimination into its programmes;
- Develop public dialogue and advocacy, promoting tolerance, non-discrimination and respect for diversity at national and international level;
- Develop partnership and promote dialogue with stakeholders involved.
European National Societies, including all those from EU Member States, specifically, addressed the subject in 2002 at their 6th Regional Conference in Berlin and committed themselves, within the framework of the Fundamental Principles, to advocate actively to protect the basic rights of groups and individuals at risk in their countries and, where necessary, to work with partners, including government agencies, to create conditions of safety for people endangered by violence and discrimination.
In order to promote the translation of such commitments into concrete actions at global and local levels alike, the RC launched and developed the international programme Action to reduce discrimination. The overall goal of this programme is to develop effective communication with public authorities and communities to influence the reduction of adverse discrimination and violence in the community and promote respect for diversity.
At RC/EU Office level, in 2004, both the National Operations Directors, as well as the Secretaries General of the EU National Societies re-affirmed the importance of fighting discrimination and promoting tolerance as a core activity of the RC/EU Office.
