Henry Dunant Medal 2024
The Henry Dunant Medal is the highest distinction that the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement can bestow on an individual member to reward outstanding services and acts of great devotion, mainly of international significance, to the cause of the Red Cross and Red Crescent. In October 2024, the Standing Commission decided to award the medal to four individuals for their outstanding achievements:
- Massimo Barra of the Italian Red Cross
- Dora Athalyne James of the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Red Cross
- Greg Vickery AO of the Australian Red Cross
- Margareta Wahlström of the Swedish Red Cross
The Standing Commission warmly congratulates the award recipients, their families and the organizations under which they have worked so wholeheartedly to help accomplish the Movement’s humanitarian mission. It thanks all the nominating Societies and their co-sponsors for submitting many nominations of high quality and diverse profiles.
Massimo Barra
Former president of the Italian Red Cross, founder of Villa Maraini.
Massimo Barra’s dedication to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement began in 1955, when he joined at the age of eight. Since then, he has actively promoted peace and humanitarian dialogue, participating in over 400 missions across 120 countries, often in sensitive contexts. He has held key positions, including president of the Italian Red Cross, vice-president of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and chair of the Standing Commission.
A doctor by training, Dr. Barra has focused on providing treatment for marginalized groups. He became a leader in the field of substance abuse recovery and public health strategies, founding the Villa Maraini Drug Recovery Centre in 1976, which has helped over 60,000 people. His work in harm reduction has influenced organizations inside and outside the Movement, providing technical support for drug recovery programs.
Dr. Barra’s efforts extend beyond substance abuse to HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and hepatitis advocacy. His leadership in improving health services for vulnerable populations reflects his deep commitment to humanitarian solutions.
In recognition of his lifelong service and dedication to the Movement’s Fundamental Principles, the Standing Commission of the Red Cross and Red Crescent awarded Massimo Barra the Henry Dunant Medal, the Movement’s highest honor.
Dora Athalyne James
Director General of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Red Cross.
Dora Athalyne James joined the Movement in 1970 at the age of ten. Since then, she has been deeply committed to the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Red Cross. Over the years, she has held many roles, including district leader, first-aid and CPR instructor, disaster coordinator, and manager of her district relief hub. She has served on both the Central and Management Committees and was vice-president of the National Society from 2011 to 2017. Today, she continues to volunteer as director-general of her National Society.
Ms. James strongly believes in peer-to-peer support and spearheaded efforts to raise funds for the Junior Red Cross, creating a youth camping program involving the Saint Vincent, Saint Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago Red Cross Societies. She also helped establish an outreach program to provide meals for the elderly people. Ms. James is also a founding member of the Global Network of Women Leaders (GLOW Red), promoting the inclusion of women in decision-making within the Movement.
Her leadership has been vital in disaster management, especially in response to natural disasters like the 1979 and 2021 eruptions of La Soufrière volcano, where she led rescue and evacuation operations despite being an evacuee herself.
Ms. James embodies the spirit of volunteerism, consistently going above and beyond to serve her community. Her lifelong dedication to helping others and promoting the Movement’s ideals has earned her the Henry Dunant Medal, the highest honor in the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
Greg Vickery AO
Former president of the Australian Red Cross
Greg Vickery, a lawyer specializing in corporate governance and ethics, has been a member and volunteer of the Australian Red Cross since 1973. He served on the Queensland Divisional Board from 1975 to 2002, including as Chair from 1999-2002, and on the National Board from 1998 until 2011.
Mr. Vickery has made significant contributions to the integrity, ethics, and governance of the Movement through his work with the Australian Red Cross, the IFRC, and the Standing Commission. As President of the Australian Red Cross from 2003 to 2011, he led a transformation of the organization from a federated structure to a modern, unified one capable of stronger national and international representation.
On the IFRC Governing Board, Mr. Vickery’s focus on governance and ethics led to the establishment of the Audit and Risk Commission, initially as a sub-committee of the Finance Commission. He also founded the Pacific Governance Network, giving the region greater international visibility.
A promoter of harmonious relations within the Movement, he has worked to create coherence among its various bodies. His ability to foster dialogue, even in difficult situations, has been instrumental in resolving conflicts.
Through his leadership and diplomatic skills, Mr. Vickery has helped build a more inclusive, ethical, and well-governed Movement. In recognition of his commitment to the Movement’s ideals, the Standing Commission awarded Greg Vickery the Henry Dunant Medal, the Movement’s highest honor.
Margareta Wahlström
Former president of the Swedish Red Cross, and founder of the GLOWRed, network for women leaders within the movement.
Margareta Wahlström has been a key figure in the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement for 25 years. She began her career in 1987 with the Swedish Red Cross as a desk officer for southern Africa. In 1989, she joined the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), where her expertise quickly positioned her as a leader in crisis management. From 1995 to 2000, she served as under-secretary-general for disaster response and operations at the IFRC, where she enhanced staff development, improved managerial training, and worked with national and local organizations in countries facing socio-economic crises. Mrs. Wahlström later served as president of the Swedish Red Cross from 2017 to 2021 and remains active in her local branch.
One of her most notable achievements is founding the Global Network of Women Leaders (GLOW Red), promoting the inclusion of women in decision-making within the Movement. Through her advocacy for gender equity, Mrs. Wahlström has influenced the participation of women in governing bodies and management roles. A respected mentor and coach, she has supported countless women and humanitarians globally, generously offering her experience and guidance.
Her dedication to gender equity and emerging leaders has left a lasting impact within the Movement and beyond, inspiring many to drive change in their communities. For her commitment to the Movement’s Fundamental Principles, Margareta Wahlström was unanimously awarded the Henry Dunant Medal, the highest distinction in the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.