Background Report
In the lead-up to the 50th anniversary of the Fundamental Principles, adopted at the 20th International Conference of the Red Cross in Vienna in 1965, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement committed to do more than merely celebrate the importance of these Principles. It undertook to use the occasion to reflect critically on the contemporary challenges in today’s humanitarian contexts and the role these Principles play in providing essential and effective humanitarian assistance to those most in need.
An extensive consultation, followed by a series of regional workshops within the Movement, on the Fundamental Principles confirmed their continued operational and institutional relevance. Details of the results of this process are set out in this report. The role of States in ensuring respect for the Fundamental Principles is acknowledged as an essential consideration in strengthening the implementation of the Principles.
The conclusions show that the answers do not lie in producing more guidance or amending what already exists. Rather there is an overall feeling that continued good practice relies upon deepening the dialogue with States, investing more in contextualized and practical training on the Principles (including for external audiences) and encouraging the sharing of good practices and peer-to-peer exchange.
