Country: Switzerland, World
A livestreamed public conference was held on June 17, 2015 from 17:15 to 18:15 at the Humanitarium, Geneva. This side event of the 2015 UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Humanitarian Affairs Segment will be accompanied by an exhibition illustrating the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent. The event is also part of the Research and debate cycle on principles guiding humanitarian action.
The seven Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, adopted in 1965, provide an ethical, operational and institutional framework guiding its work at all times in both situations of armed conflict and disaster. The Principles, including neutrality and independence, are essential for the Movement to gain the acceptance of all, ensure access and work in proximity with affected communities. In turn, these gains are prerequisites for humanitarian effectiveness.
The United Nations system and its member states have endorsed the humanitarian principles through several policy statements and resolutions, including UN General Assembly resolution 46/182of 1991. By way of example, the ECOSOC Resolution on the strengthening of the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance of the United Nations of 25 June 2014, makes an explicit link between effectiveness, coordination and partnerships, and humanitarian principles.
However, abiding by the principles raises several challenges. On the one hand, humanitarian actors are expected to strengthen partnerships with actors that are not necessarily bound by the humanitarian principles, while ensuring that they adhere to these principles themselves. On the other hand, not all organizations have the same interpretation and consistent application of the principles, which can create confusion. Indeed, while humanity and impartiality remain relatively consensual, neutrality and independence are subject to greater divergences in their interpretation and degrees of application.
The panel discussion will be organized around the following questions:
- Are neutrality and independence guarantors of effectiveness for all actors, in all circumstances? Do all actors have the same interpretation of neutrality and independence?
- How might the approach to the application of the principles of neutrality and independence differ according to situations of conflict or disaster? Are there instances where the way neutrality and independence are interpreted and applied go against humanitarian effectiveness?
- To what extent actors that are neither neutral nor independent can engage in neutral and independent humanitarian action?
Welcome remarks
• Mr. Jean-Christophe Sandoz, Deputy Director of International Law and Policy, ICRC.
Panel
• His Excellency Mr. Jorge Lomónaco, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of Mexico to the United Nations.
• Mr. Georges Kettaneh, Secretary General of the Lebanese Red Cross.
• Dr. Daniel Eklu, Director for Humanitarian Affairs, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Chair
• Ms. Joelle Tanguy, Under Secretary General, Humanitarian Values and Diplomacy, International Federation.
The event is co-organized by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross.
The 2015 UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Humanitarian Affairs Segment addresses the theme of "The future of humanitarian affairs: towards greater inclusiveness, coordination, interoperability and effectiveness". This year also marked the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Red Cross Red Crescent Fundamental Principles.
Find the recordings of the conference here: https://www.icrc.org/en/event/principles-action-how-do-neutrality-and-independence-contribute-humanitarian-effectiveness
How to register:
Visit the website: https://www.icrc.org/en/event/principles-action-how-do-neutrality-and-independence-contribute-humanitarian-effectiveness