Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2009. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - 22 June 2009
22 JUNE 2009 - GENEVA, SWITZERLAND More than 150 Red Cross and Red Crescent societies from around the world are sending youth representatives to Solferino, Italy, to address today's most pressing humanitarian challenges. Following the theme "Youth on the Move", the attendees will meet for four days of training focused on global and local challenges such as HIV/AIDS, climate change, migration and discrimination.
"Of the tens of millions of Red Cross Red Crescent volunteers, more than half are considered youth so this type of global training is necessary for the future of the Red Cross Red Crescent," notes Trygve Nordby, under secretary general for humanitarian diplomacy at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). "This is not a celebration, but an investment in capacity building and knowledge sharing."
This meeting will take place on the site of the Battle of Solferino where, 150 years ago, Henry Dunant saw the suffering and agony of thousands of soldiers on the battlefield. In response, he mobilized nearby villagers to care for the wounded, regardless of their nationality.
"The actions of Dunant directly led to the creation of the Red Cross Red Crescent," says Nordby. "One hundred and fifty years later, we return to this site to discuss the Solferinos of today and how the youth can address these and future challenges."
The seminars and sessions will include social media, effects of climate change, social justice and gender balance. Each session will assist in the development of a formal declaration that will be presented to governments, the United Nations, international non-governmental organizations and leadership of the Red Cross Red Crescent.
With the goal of sharing this meeting with a global audience, youth attendees will be live-blogging, posting videos and tweeting throughout the events.
"As many of our attendees check their Facebook page more often than they pick up a daily newspaper, it only makes sense to place the story-telling in their hands," says Stephen Ryan, IFRC communications officer for youth and volunteers. "Attending youth will have access to wifi, computers and video cameras, and we can't wait to see what they produce."
The youth meeting is one of a series of events highlighting the 150-year anniversary of the Battle of Solferino. Other Red Cross Red Crescent events include:
ò 24 - 27 June: Humanitarian Boulevard: Free and open to the public, this open air boulevard will feature a series of activities and exhibits highlighting disaster response and preparedness, health and safety, and humanitarian values. On 26 June, the Red Cross Red Crescent will conduct a live disaster and relief exercise, with audience participation.
ò 27 June: Fiaccolata: The torch-lit procession, following the footsteps of those who took injured soldiers from the battlefield to the first medical outpost in Castiglione, will conclude the commemorations of Solferino.
ò 28 June -3 July: Journey of an Idea and Declaration: Led by the Swiss Red Cross, a group of representatives from the youth meeting will travel from Solferino to Geneva, Switzerland, tracing the return path of Henry Dunant, to present their declaration to Swiss authorities, and representatives of the United Nations and international organizations.
The events taking place in Solferino are led by the Italian Red Cross and support the Our world. Your move. campaign, a global call to action to improve our shared world with small, individual gestures. This is co-led by the IFRC and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). More information about Our world. Your move. is available online at http://ourworld-yourmove.org.
To follow the youth meeting online:
BLOGS: http://ourworld-yourmove.org/blog
PHOTOS: http://flickr.com/ourworldyourmove
VIDEOS: http://youtube.com/yourmove09
TWEETS: http://twitter.com/yourmove09
FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/ourworldyourmove
MYSPACE: http://myspace.com/ourworldyourmove
For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact:
Zach Abraham, communications campaign manager: +41 79 308 9804
Amanda Mark, social media focal point: +41 79 217 33 32
The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian activities of 186 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies among vulnerable people. By coordinating international disaster relief and encouraging development support, it seeks to prevent and alleviate human suffering. The Federation, National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross together, constitute the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
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