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Book review
'Beyond Conflict'
The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies 1919 - 1994
A.B. The International Federation of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent Societies connects, co-ordinates, supports and promotes the National member societies' actions not only in wartime, but 'beyond conflict', i.e. in times of peace. It is an important instrument for humanitarian work in today's world; its support is essential to keep the many National societies together who are each faced with extremely disparate political, human and humanitarian demands in their countries. The rather complex history of the Federation and its predecessor, the League of Red Cross Societies, between the two World Wars is largely unknown to the present generation. In Beyond Conflict (1997), the Federation has provided such an honest and worthy account of its own history that one can warmly recommend this book to every interested reader. It is regrettable that it has not yet been translated into all the main world languages.
Founded in 1919 by only five member Societies, although already during World War I more volunteers had been active in the Red Cross movement than there had been combatants in the war, the Federation today has a membership of 171 national Societies, over 122 million volunteers and about 284,000 employees. The aftermath of World War I with severe famine, the typhoid epidemic in Eastern Europe and the earthquake in Japan in 1923, which killed 200,000 people, intensified the determination to have a humanitarian structure at hand in peace-time, too.
The history of the Federation throws light on the relations between the several bodies of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, between the national Societies and their governments, and between the Federation and the United Nations, who themselves sought to become involved in humanitarian work and thus made matters even more complicated.
The book brings the history of the last century to life, remarkable in its range. It is primarily a history of people, people forced to endure and put up with war, extreme poverty, epidemics, economic crises, and again and again wars of different types. The photographs often speak for themselves. It is an appeal to work for more humanity in this world and an appeal which nobody can evade and one that young people above all will also not want to evade. Used as a teaching aid it would be appropriate for History, Political Science, English, RE and Moral Education lessons at high schools and should be accessible in every school library.
It ought to be required reading-together with the Geneva Conventions of the Red Cross and the history of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement-for every politician and member of parliament who wants to make a statement about solidarity and humanitarian aid in this world, particularly if it is to be done with sincerity and real substance.
Preface
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has worked for the victims of all kinds of disaster, on five continents, for over seventy-five years. It has matured and extended its activities on behalf of humanity throughout the world during these exceptionally difficult times and is now, without doubt, valued and respected everywhere. This book is a fitting tribute to its history, and it is with pride and humility that I, as president, contribute to this preface.
It is not easy to summarize something so extensive as the history of the International Federation. Ever since its modest beginnings in 1919, then the League, the Federation has established and expanded programmes and services designed to meet the humanitarian needs of today's world, focusing its attention on assistance to the most vulnerable people. Over time, its work has become increasingly more complex and difficult as the expectations of mankind and nations grow. As a result, the Federation has under-gone change and become an ever present and unique network of humanitarian cooperation.
The National Societies, which make up the Federation, are its cornerstone. This is why this new historical work focuses on how they have pooled their efforts and adapted to changing times over those seventy-five years. This book is therefore a tribute to each and every National Society. The parts and the whole have played their role and are deserving of tribute.
'Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof', as the old but wise saying goes, prompts us to move with the times. Our institution has done so, and taken action to keep up with events. In view of the fast pace of the world today, we are constantly faced with new challenges. At the same time, growing international cooperation provides unique opportunities for men and women who want to serve humanity in times of peace. The nature of fighting and conflict has also changed. Faced with this mixture of difficulties, we must be creative if we wish to carry out our mission fully.
It has also been said that 'the present is the past and the future'. Therefore, as we read the history of what bas been achieved, we are basically seeking to draw lessons in order to confront new challenges. This is particularly relevant in our rapidly evolv-ing world. It is, simply put, the importance of this book.
Two aspects come to the fore. Firstly, the national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, with decades of experience and the dedicated, selfless work of their volunteers, have learned better than anyone to use available resources rationally in order to respond to the specific needs of their communities. Secondly, the special contribution of the Federation has been to unite the efforts of National Societies to assist the most vulnerable sectors of the world's population in times of peace. Through these efforts over seventy-five years, it has assisted millions of victims in thousands of disasters around the world. And it is still dedicated to become constantly better.
The message I wish to leave, in tribute to an outstanding institution which is working for the future of mankind, is that it is an evolving force. It depends on tremendous generosity and constant and continuing solidarity in support of its work for peace, health, justice and freedom. I know that the national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, and the Federation which brings them together and represents them world-wide, will fulfil their challenging mission, and ensure a noble and certain future for this unique organization.
MARIO VILLARROEL LANDER, Geneva, September 1997
Beyond conflict, The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, 1919-1994, from D. A. Reid and P. F. Gilbo, Geneva, 1997, ISBN 92-9139-041-0
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Corrigendum
The Red Cross or Cubistic Affectations?
By Dr Annemarie Buchholz, historian
Current Concerns of January 2002 (Special Supplement, p.1):
Based on information from the USA, it was stated in the above article that Dr Healey, former President of the American Red Cross, is a member of the Jewish Community. After the article had been published in English, Mrs Jill Kowalkowski, Officer of the Humanitarian Advocacy Department of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, informed us that this was not the case.
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