NEWS LETTER

nº 18 1st quarter 2014

The journey of the ‘Flag of Solidarity’ Page 8

ACTIVITIES VOLUNTEERS CORNER

‘Volunteering as a vector Salam Khorshid, Syrian Arab Red Crescent of social cohesion’ volunteer and Youth Commission member

page 4 page 6

Centre for the Cooperation in the Mediterranean

CONTENTS

page

EDITORIAL

Bridging the gap towards Intergenerational Dialogue 3

ACTIVITIES

Volunteering as a vector for social cohesion 4 Editorial Board CCM Youth Engagement and Leadership in Atlantis X 4

Briody J, Addison 6th Photo Contest for Youth in the Mediterranean: Youth Engagement in the Red Cross and Red Castriotta, Luigi Angelo Crescent Movement 5 Comas Uriz, Santiago

David, Isabelle

VOLUNTEERS CORNER Dézarnaud, Cédric

Fraile Rodríguez, Eduardo Salam Khorshid, Syrian Arab Red Crescent García Roca, Àngels volunteer and IFRC Youth Commission member 6

Llobet Méndez, Néstor PARTNERSHIP Pardo Fernández, Laura The journey of the ‘Flag of Solidarity’ 8

Vico Martínez, Sonia 9th European Regional Red Cross and Red Crescent Conference 10 With the collaboration of: Red Cross/Red Crescent Mediterranean Platform on Migration 10 Fatima Zahra Hadri, Moroccan Red Crescent PERCO Meeting 10 volunteer Plus Europe Association and CCM 11 Salam Khorshid, SARC volunteer, Youth CCM collaboration in the IFRC Youth Engagement Commission member Strategy (Y.E.S.) 11

Youth Engagement in North Africa through the words of Fatima Zahra Hadri - Moroccan Red Crescent 12 Photos by:

Elkabir, Abdessamie

Ficociello, Daniele

García, Jose Ramón

Malla, Ibrahim

Croatian Red Cross

IFRC Cover Photo: Delivery of the flag to the Syrian Arab Red Crescent ICRC volunteers (© Croatian RC; © Jose Ramón García; © Ibrahim Malla, IFRC)

2 Newsletter | nº 18 | 1st quarter | 2014 EDITORIAL

Bridging the gap towards intergenerational dialogue

In the context of the current economic crisis, the need to promote social inclusion and face emerging vulnerabilities, as stated in Strategy 2020 of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), is one of the urgent imperatives that National Societies are called to respond to, in the constant search for innovative and effective solutions that may improve communities' resilience.

Amongst those directly affected by the social effects of crisis are young adults, the elderly, and children who are living in poverty and struggling to have their basic daily needs covered, as underlined by the report recently published by Caritas* and concerning countries whose National Societies are part of the Mediterranean Conference such as Spain, Portugal, Greece and Cyprus.

In the given scenario, promoting volunteering as the essential backbone of our Movement and joining forces to implement new initiatives - as well as support the sustainability of programmes already underway - becomes crucial to face common challenges.

Following its mission to promote partnership and the exchange of experiences among Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies, and building on strategic alliances that may provide the floor for the replication of best practices at regional level, the CCM and the Spanish Red Cross will carry out the seminar 'Bridging the gap towards intergenerational dialogue: volunteering as a vector of social cohesion', to be held in Madrid from the 23rd to the 25th of May.

* According to the report, child poverty in the EU is increasing and now tops 22%. Child poverty in Spain reaches 29.9%. The country is ranked second after Romania. Bulgaria and Greece are ranked third and fourth (http:// www.caritas.eu/about-caritas-europa/publications).

3 ACTIVITIES Centre for the Cooperation in the Mediterranean

Volunteering as a vector of social cohesion

A seminar focused on social cohesion and The seminar, which will count, among others, on the intergenerational dialogue will be organized by the CCM participation of the IFRC, the European Anti-Poverty and the Spanish Red Cross between May 23rd and 25th. Network and the Vodafone Foundation, will take place in Madrid and it will be co-organized by the CCM and the Under the title “Bridging the gap towards intergenerational Spanish Red Cross (Volunteering Department, Spanish dialogue: Volunteering as a vector of Social cohesion" the Red Cross Youth, with the support of the Social programme will pay specific attention to the application Intervention Department as well as the Social Innovation and impact of information and communication technology Department). in volunteering and volunteer management, as well as in programme development. Through plenary sessions and by exchanging best practices, National Societies are

expected to acquire new skills and knowledge that will support them in the implementation of new programmes in their local context. This process could prove to be instrumental in improving living conditions and promoting the social inclusion of vulnerable groups.

As underlined in the Dubrovnik Declaration of the last Mediterranean Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, the economic crisis that has hit the

Mediterranean region in the past years has made exclusion and poor living conditions a reality for many people, and joint action at regional level is required to counteract the social effects of the economic crisis. However, we are also living in a digital era and this © Daniele Ficociello

seminar aims to delve into it to take a longer look at how information and communication technologies (ICT) may Date: 23-25 May make a difference in the fight against social exclusion and the promotion and management of volunteering as a Venue: Spanish RC Headquarters, means of social cohesion. Promoting interaction, mutual For further information visit the CCM webpage at: understanding and the exchange of knowledge among generations through volunteering may provide a soothing http://www.mediterraneumrc.org/portal/page? ground to counteract the effects of the crisis, and ICT _pageid=174,45008541,174_45008542&_dad=portal30&_schem prove to be a crucial tool in this process. a=PORTAL30

Youth Engagement and Leadership in Atlantis X

Youth leading by example and acting as agents of change The Camp programme aims to empower participants to within their communities are some of the aspects that will build and consolidate their leadership capacities while be tackled during the 10th edition of the annual RC/RC inspiring others to do the same. This empowerment will Mediterranean Youth Camp Atlantis, organized by the allow youth to truly engage with their communities and give CCM in collaboration with the under the them the necessary skills to put into practice new initiatives name “Red Cross/Red Crescent Youth as active leaders and creative ideas. The year 2014 marks the 10th in their National Societies and local communities”. From anniversary of Atlantis, and for this reason the Camp will th th June 18 to 26 , volunteers form the region will gather to be hosted by the Italian consolidate their capacities as leaders in Jesolo, near Red Cross which also Venice, at the Foresteria Casa di Croce Rossa. hosted the very first edition of Atlantis. Atlantis X places emphasis on promoting Youth leadership along with Youth engagement. Keep reading on the following page

4 Newsletter | nº 18 | 1st quarter | 2014 ACTIVITIES

Furthermore the CCM and the Italian Red Cross have thought of doing something very special to celebrate the anniversary, by giving participants the opportunity to take part in the 'Fiaccolata', the eight- kilometre torch lit walk which commemorates the distance walked by all those who, following the battle of Solferino in 1859, helped the injured on both sides of the battlefield (from the armies of imperial Austria and the Franco -Sardinian alliance) to reach Castiglione and receive aid, and which symbolises the birth of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement thanks to the initiative of Henry Dunant. © ICRC/M.Kokic/V-P-IT-E-00075 The CCM and the Italian RC will continue working hard in Date:18-26 Junio the next few weeks as Atlantis X approaches quickly. Venue: Foresteria Casa di Croce Rossa, Jesolo, Italy Much is left to be done to ensure that the Camp runs as For further information: smoothly as possible, and that the participants leave feeling better equipped to become leaders in their own http://www.mediterraneumrc.org/portal/page? communities. _pageid=174,45008504,174_45008505&_dad=portal30&_schem a=PORTAL30

6th Photo Contest for Youth in the Mediterranean: ‘Engaged Youth for Stronger National Societies’

Youth Engagement in the Red Cross and Red Crescent This experience will allow him or her to make valuable Movement was the theme of 6th edition of the connections while learning how to promote the Mediterranean Youth Photo Contest launched by the CCM. engagement, empowerment, and leadership of youth in In accordance with the IFRC’s Youth Engagement the region. During Atlantis the best photos will be exhibited Strategy, the CCM asked for photos displaying youth as for the entire week, demonstrating how youth can be leader, volunteers or beneficiaries, which represent the engaged in their society in a variety of different ways. three possible scenarios of active youth participation within the Movement. For further information:

The Photo Contest is aimed at promoting the idea of Youth http://www.mediterraneumrc.org/portal/page? _pageid=174,45008485,174_45008486&_dad=portal30&_schem as Agents of positive change. Participants are invited to a=PORTAL30 take their camera and observe and witness the positive effect of youth and volunteering in our Mediterranean surroundings.

Youth represent both the present and the future of the Movement and of National Societies, and this contest offered an opportunity for participants to reflect on the impact youth have on communities, and on how one’s personal actions may affect society. The winner, which will be officially announced in the weeks to come, will get the opportunity to participate in the Youth Camp Atlantis X to be held in Jesolo (Italy) this June, together with other young delegates from many other © Abdessamie Elkabir . Moroccan Red Crescent Winner of the 4th National Societies in the Mediterranean region. Photo Contest

5 VOLUNTEERS CORNER Centre for the Cooperation in the Mediterranean

Salam Khorshid, Syrian Arab Red Crescent volunteer and IFRC Youth Commission member

Salam Khorshid is a 28 years old Syrian Arab Red Crescent volunteer who has let aside her profession to work for the Movement. Graduated from the Higher Institute of Music, she has volunteered in SARC since 2005, and manages her time leading the Human Resources Department in Damascus, training International Humanitarian Law (IHL), coordinating the programme between the International Medical Corps and SARC and, since the Global Youth Conference in 2013, she is also a member of the IFRC Youth Commission.

When was your first international experience inside

the Movement?

In 2010 I went to the Mediterranean Conference held in Croatia, and I was a representative of SARC. I went there alone. At that time I was just a volunteer, I did not have any position. It was really scary, with all the Presidents of the National Societies, with all the youth leaders… but I spent 5 days there. When I returned to Syria I was like another person. It was the first time that I Toys collecting campaign, 2008 © SARC saw how big the Movement is, it was the first time that I was part of this. I had to do 2 presentations about SARC When did you start to volunteer in SARC? in front of all these people. I am a musician, I play on The first time I started volunteering was 2005, but I had the stages. But it is not the same when you stand and you idea for a long time before. I think I was 11 when first I represent your National Society in this Conference. I decided I wanted to be part of SARC. returned to Syria with much more confidence. I returned to Syria to tell other volunteers that everyone outside What happened when you were 11? Syria, that all the people, all the volunteers around the world know about them and I think the youth volunteers I was in an exhibition of books in Damascus, and there was in SARC have quite a reputation outside Syria; it is really a SARC media stand. They were giving a comic about a great reputation. Henry Dunant. I still have it with me. I decided that I wanted to be part of the history of Solferino and Henry Dunant, it Did you have any other international experience? If was really moving for me. That is when I decided that I so, what can you tell us about it? wanted to be a volunteer. I tried for many times, but you know, I was young, and the culture of being a volunteer is Yes, the second time it was in Geneva. It was my first not common here in Syria. But when I finished my school meeting with the Youth Commission. They have and I started my professional studies I was old enough, and international experience, because they have been I became volunteer in 2005. working in the Youth Commission for two years before me. So, I am trying to learn, I was observing, I was What do you do in the Syrian Arab Red Crescent? paying attention to everything, every little detail.

I am the Head of HR Department for Youth at the Damascus Branch and I am trainer of IHL courses inside SARC.

What is your current occupation?

I am the coordinator of the project between the International Medical Corps (IMC) and SARC for the first aid centres inside Damascus.

Do you have any other role inside the Movement?

I am a member of the IFRC Youth Commission, as representative of the Asia-Pacific and MENA zone. I was just appointed in November during the Global Youth Interview with the national TV about a children’s choir , 2010 Conference of the Movement held in Sydney, even if I could ©SARC not go there because I could not have the visa in time.

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Newsletter | nº 18 | 1st quarter | 2014 VOLUNTEERS CORNER

What is the most significant experience that you’ve What does it mean to receive the support from had? volunteers from other National Societies?

I have learnt so much form SARC, from the Movement. I Volunteers from SARC are really happy with this. We are changed a lot; I am not the same person that started working 24 hours 7 days a week. We are in danger, volunteering in 2005. The field work is the biggest everyone in Syria is in danger right now, but the experience I had. When you are working on the field you volunteers, they have this priority, we have to help people, get in contact with the people, with the people’s needs. As and we have to help anyone who needs help. So, any a volunteer, I had so many experiences during crisis, small action the other volunteers from other National during war, we had difficult situations. I think this is what Societies do, it is really big for volunteers from SARC. In changes the life of anyone, even if you live one situation our centres we have these photos, we have… I think, it is only. But no, we started with the Iraq war, Lebanon, Gaza, the ... they started this campaign and now the Syria crisis. You learn so much from this. You with the heart with your hands. They collected many gain confidence when you are volunteering in SARC or the photos. We printed those photos and put them in the Movement. You have the ability to help people in reality, it centres, so every time we are in the centre we look at is not only dreams. I can help; it is not just daydreaming them and we know we are not alone. Even if they are not about it. You have the chance to do this, to help people. there helping us physically, they are there emotionally. That’s it, the field work is the most significant experience. Even though we are from different National Societies, Unfortunately, I am not working in the field right now, but I there is this big thing that brings us together: the want to get back some day. Movement. We are the same. Did you find what you expected in SARC? All volunteers, the SARC volunteers, the Red Cross Honestly, no. Let’s go back to when I was 11 and to 2005. I volunteers from any place in the world, they share the was expecting the city of Plato (Utopia). I was searching same pain, they share the same hope, they share the for this city. I thought I would find it in the Movement, but same work, and they share the same principles. This is after I became a part of this Movement, I realised that we really important for SARC volunteers. are in the real world; there is no such thing as city of

Utopia. But we are trying as a Movement, I know, there are trying to be, to reach the perfection. We are trying to help people, 100%. But, this is reality.

Which message would you give to the volunteers?

You can say many things to volunteers.

After participating in all the activities that SARC did, I can say to the volunteers: be the change. You can be the change, you can do something, it is not only on

papers. The volunteers are Toys collecting campaign, 2008 © SARC the only thing that brings the words on the papers to actual work. They are the main force. Everything about Related links: this Movement is about the IFRC Youth Commission volunteers. They are the

most important asset in this http://www.ifrc.org/en/what - we- do/youth/youth - Movement, and they can development/youth-commission/ change everything they want, they can do anything First Aid training, 2008 ©SARC they want.

7 PARTNERSHIP Centre for the Cooperation in the Mediterranean

The journey of the 'Flag of Solidarity'

Source: CCM

A flag with messages of encouragement -crafted by the Kristina Repusic, a Croatian Red Cross volunteer, is the volunteers of the Croatian Red Cross- was delivered to mind behind the idea of the flag. Kristina participated in the the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) by the Vice- Youth Camp Atlantis VIII held in Andorra in 2012. President of the International Federation of the Red Cross During Atlantis, she participated in a session organized by and Red Crescent, Mr. Francesco Rocca. The flag was three former SARC volunteers who collaborate with the given to several SARC volunteers who were attending a CCM- in memory of the volunteers who lost their lives training in Sahnaya, south of Damascus, on the day that during the conflict in Syria. This session was organized to marked the 3rd year from the start of the conflict in Syria. explain the situation people are facing since the beginning Salam Khorshid, SARC volunteer and member of the of the conflict. IFRC Youth Commission, underlined the importance "of As of today, 34 SARC members, both volunteers and staff, all actions carried out by volunteers of other National have lost their lives while carrying out their humanitarian Societies" for the Syrian volunteers who "work 24 hours a mission. day and 7 days a week in danger, and with the priority of assisting anyone in need". She stressed the importance In Kristina's article -published in our Newsletter no.16- she for them of "knowing that they are not alone", and that stated that the session "brought to us a brutal picture of "even though we come from different National Societies, the reality that is affecting Syria". During the awareness there is something bigger that unites us: the Movement". session the volunteers from SARC that were helping their compatriots were remembered. "It was hard for me to accept the cruel actions that hit our colleagues in Syria" underlined Kristina.

When she returned home, Krisitna shared the story with her friends and, during a Red Cross Youth summer school of the Osječko-Baranjska branch, they gathered more than 150 messages of support and decided to put them together by making a flag shaped as a parchment. "We wanted them to know that we know their story and that we feel their pain". Atlantis VIII– Awareness session. © CCM

8 Newsletter | nº 18 | 1st quarter | 2014

Croatian RC volunteers of the Osječko-Baranjska branch showing the flag ©Croatian Red Cross

In 2013, the 9th edition of Atlantis was held in Bosnia and While holding the flag in her hands and seeing the Herzegovina, and Kristina took the occasion to bring the messages of support, Julia -one of the SARC volunteers- flag to the Camp, where she explained the story of the said that it is beautiful to see that we have friends, idea. She gave the flag to the CCM in order to make it brothers and sisters that think of us and support us". reach Syria, and to let SARC volunteers know that they are not alone.

Thanks to the precious help of the and of Ibrahim Malla, audio-visual delegate of the IFRC MENA Zone, the wish of Kristina and the Croatian Red Cross volunteers, endorsed by all Mediterranean Youth, come true. On March 13th 2014 the flag was delivered to SARC.

According to the words of Ibrahim Malla "the Vice- President Rocca expressed his joy stating that he was proud to serve as a bridge between the volunteers of the Atlantis IX– Awareness session. © Jose Ramón García Croatian Red Cross and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, to bring the message of young Europeans that appreciate and value their humanitarian work".

Delivery of the ‘flag of solidarity’ to the SARC volunteers in Sahnaya by IFRC Vice President, Francesco Rocca.

© Ibrahim Malla_ IFRC MENA Zone

9 Centre for the Cooperation in the Mediterranean

9th European Regional Red Cross and Red Crescent Conference

‘Humanitarian Consequences of the Economic Crisis’ is Amongst them was the ‘New aspects of Migration’ th the main theme around which the 9 European Regional workshop in which the CCM contributed, together with Red Cross and Red Crescent Conference will be PERCO; the Anti-trafficking Network, the Russian celebrated. Speaking Migration Network; the Psychosocial Support The Conference will be hosted by the Italian Red Cross in Network; the IFRC and the ICRC. the city of Florence, from the 4th to the 6th of June.

Following the regional priorities affecting a wider Europe - covering 53 national Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, as underlined in the IFRC ‘Think Differently. Act Differently’ Report - the structure and methodology of the 9th Regional Conference will allow tackling how the current crisis is affecting the needs of the most vulnerable, and how National Societies across Europe are responding to the worsening scenario in the constant search for innovative solutions.

Six main workshops will be developed under the themes: Date: June 3-6 2014 ‘How is Europe changing? and ‘Crisis as an opportunity’. The Spanish Red Cross was called among various Venue: Congress Palace, Florence National Societies to collaborate in the content drafting of For further information: www.rcrceuropeanconference.org the background papers of a number workshops.

Red Cross/Red Crescent Mediterranean Platform on Migration

Aiming to support the coordination, cooperation and partnership within the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in the Mediterranean with regards to migration, the CCM, together with the IFRC and the ICRC will convene a meeting in Tunisia in September.

The technical meeting, which will count on the participation of regional focal points on migration, will be hosted by the and it will aim to tackle the progress made by the platform's members in the domains of protection, assistance and advocacy, and how to coordinate joint actions to have a stronger impact in the Mediterranean to better respond to increasing needs of

migrants and communities in times of crisis. Date: September 2014

Venue: Tunis The next meeting will also be an opportunity to present the implementation of one of the Platform's action points: the exchange on migration programmes which will be For further information : implemented at the end of 2014 and will engage http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqSqlkKDjeQ Mediterranean Red Cross/ Red Crescent National Societies in 'in person' exchanges which, starting from a previous analysis made by National Societies, will aim to foster the exchange of expertise among focal points and coordinators of migration programmes to build and reinforce capacities in the domains mentioned above.

10 Newsletter | nº 18 | 1st quarter | 2014 PARTNERSHIP

PERCO Meeting Plus Europe Association and CCM PERCO (the Platform for European Red Cross The CCM and the PLUS EUROPE Association have Cooperation on Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Migrants) signed a collaboration agreement. nd met for its first annual meeting in Luxembourg from the 2 The PLUS EUROPE Association, is a civil entity that th to the 4 of April. The agenda included updates from the represents a contact point between citizens and European Platform, the IFRC, the RC/EU Office and the ICRC, as institutions. Its aim is that of promoting a new model of well as a number of working groups and a specific governance based on mutual respect and on an increased workshop on ‘Implementing safeguards at borders: the and more proactive civil participation of European citizens. role of Red Cross National Societies’, attended by –among Through the creation of strong networks of citizens, civil others - the Spanish and the Italian Red Cross. In the entities and professional and business organizations, it session ‘Update on the situation in the Mediterranean’, aims at creating a European Civic Alliance that may help following the presentation of the ‘Red Bell’ Campaign on build a more inclusive and democratic Europe. anti-trafficking by the , and the updates of the Spanish and the Italian Red Cross, the Both organizations have signed the collaboration agree- Centre for the Cooperation in the Mediterranean was ment with the aim of sharing the know-how and informa- given the opportunity to present the initiative regarding the tion that they have in their specific fields of action, and in Red Cross/Red Crescent Mediterranean Platform on order to join their efforts in the search for synergies that Migration and its first main action point: the in-person may help them reach common objectives. exchange of migration programmes to be implemented at the end of 2014. The PERCO meeting set the floor for For further information: further cooperation and engagement of Mediterranean National Societies and northern European National http://www.pluseuropeconference.com/ Societies’ support in the Platform, proving networking to be the best way to optimize resources and guarantee the exchange of information with regards to migration initiatives hence contributing to National Societies’ capacity building, in benefit of vulnerable migrants.

CCM collaboration in the IFRC Youth Engagement Strategy (Y.E.S.) Collaboration is the ability of working together towards a and graphic designer that closely collaborates with the common aim, building a relation that is based on trust and CCM. We are confident that the collaboration between the mutual understanding. These conditions are the basis on Youth Action and Volunteering Development Department which the CCM and the Youth Action and Volunteering will continue to grow in the future and we thank our col- Development Department have been working together in leagues at the IFRC for their proactive approach and for the last year and a half, and that have not only brought wanting the CCM on board on yet another occasion. great results, but also increased synergies and team spirit. Starting with the support in the translation of several For more information on the poster, and to download the documents, which also counted on the support of the file please visit the following Fednet link: Spanish Red Cross Youth, the collaboration has brought https://fednet.ifrc.org/CookieAuth.dll?GetLogon? the CCM to participate in the workshop on the global curl=Z2FPageFilesZ2F127529Z2FYES_12_02_14_print.pdf&rea consultation of the IFRC YES in June 2013, and has now son=0&formdir=2 moved one step further, with the development of a colourful and reader-friendly poster that gives a quick glimpse on Youth Engagement in the Red Cross and Red Crescent. This document, which could be considered as a summary/introduction guide to the main Youth related documents of the IFRC (Youth Policy, Youth Engagement Strategy, Guidelines for RCRC Youth networking), is a poster that gives readers an insight on the global situation of Youth Engagement as they gradually unfold it. The graphical design of the poster has been developed by Daniele Ficociello, a young Italian Red Cross volunteer

11 Centre for the Cooperation in the Mediterranean

Youth Engagement in North Africa …

After the Sydney Global Youth Conference, youth have Many young representatives of the Mediterranean region kept on moving forward. A positive example of their represented their National Society during the meeting, engagement and desire to do more and better is the therefore we would like to share the testimony of Fatima meeting of the young leaders of Red Crescent Societies in Zahra Hadri, the Moroccan Red Crescent delegate, for a North Africa who met in Tunis in February to discuss the closer glimpse on the meeting and the positive message implementation of Y.E.S 'Youth Engagement Strategy' in that youth have brought with them on their return home. their respective countries and in the region. …through the words of Fatima Zahra Hadri - Moroccan Red Crescent.

Working as National Youth Volunteer in the Moroccan Red Crescent, I have been able to apply the fundamental principles of the Movement and adopt the Humanitarian values on which the principles are based. My participation with the CCM and Mediterranean youth volunteers in the workshop on the promotion of a culture of non violence and peace has positively impacted and changed my personal life with my friend and family, it helped me get closer to the people in need and put myself in other people’s shoes, so I can feel what they feel and express myself honestly. © IFRC Peace, love, empathy, active listening, non violent Youth from the National Societies of Egypt, Libya, Morocco communication, cooperation, respect for diversity, skills and Tunisia gathered to discuss on a number of issues and values learnt in my peace journey, and applied in my and challenges that await them. daily life. The meeting, hosted by the Tunisian Red Crescent, The North Africa Youth Volunteers Meeting was an underlined the importance of having an active network that opportunity to represent Moroccan Youth Volunteers, and may support and reinforce the work carried out by youth in to exchange, share experiences, achievements, the region, as well as committed and empowered youth as challenges, and mapping the common priorities for a means for working effectively. 2014/2015 of the North Africa Region: protection of volunteers, motivation, recognition, innovation, dissemination of a culture of non violence and peace, humanitarian education, engaging youth leaders in decision making are the main priorities of the NA Youth Meeting. My participation in North Africa Youth volunteers meeting gives me the energy to sustain and to contribute in advocating for the most vulnerable, promoting youth engagement, © IFRC disseminating a culture of peace and being part of the change, and be inspired by learnt experiences. I am proud of being Moroccan Red Crescent © IFRC I am proud of being peace Ambassador in my National society”. Fatima Zahra Hadri, Moroccan Red Crescent volunteer

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The Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement

Humanity The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, born of a desire to bring assistance without discrimination to the wounded on the battlefield, endeavours, in its international and national capacity, to prevent and alleviate human suffering wherever it may be found. Its purpose is to protect life and health and to ensure respect for the human being. It promotes mutual understanding, friendship, cooperation and lasting peace amongst all peoples.

Impartiality It makes no discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions. It endeavours to relieve the suffering of indi- viduals, being guided solely by their needs, and to give priority to the most urgent cases of distress.

Neutrality In order to continue to enjoy the confidence of all, the Movement may not take sides in hostilities or engage at any time in controversies of a political, racial, religious or ideological nature.

Independence The Movement is independent. The National Societies, while auxiliaries in the humanitarian services of their governments and subject to the laws of their respective countries, must always maintain their autonomy so that they may be able at all times to act in accordance with the principles of the Movement.

Voluntary service It is a voluntary relief movement not prompted in any manner by desire for gain.

Unity There can be only one Red Cross or one Red Crescent Society in any one country. It must be open to all. It must carry on its humanitarian work throughout its territory.

Universality The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, in which all Societies have equal status and share equal responsibilities and duties in helping each other, is worldwide.

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Humanity Impartiality Neutrality Independence Voluntary service Unity Universality