RCRC Conference

 What is the International Conference?

The Statutes of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement state: ?The International Conference is the supreme deliberative body for the Movement. At the International Conference, representatives of the components of the Movement meet with representatives of the States Parties to the Geneva Conventions, the latter in exercise of their responsibilities under those Conventions and in support of the overall work of the Movement in terms of Article 2. Together they examine and decide upon humanitarian matters of common interest and any other related matter? (Article 8).

The Conference meets ? in principle ? every four years. It brings together the

• Recognized Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (183)
• States party to the Geneva Conventions (192)
• International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
• International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (Federation)

 How does it work?

It takes its decisions in the form of resolutions. The Conference has the sole authority to interpret and revise the Statutes of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (RCRC Movement).

The Conference ensures Red Cross/Red Crescent unity of effort and respect for the Fundamental Principles. The Conference ?shall endeavour to adopt its resolutions by consensus? (Article 11/7 Statutes of the Movement).

The Fundamental Principles ? humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary status, unity and universality ? adopted by the 20th International Conference (Vienna 1965) are mandatory for all Red Cross and Red Crescent bodies. Representatives of the States party to the Geneva Conventions, who attend the Conference, must thus respect the principles in the same way as all Movement delegations.

The principles constitute the Movement?s basic charter and they are read out at the opening of every Conference.

National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies