FINAL REPORT of the 11Th MEDITERRANEAN CONFERENCE of the RED CROSS and RED CRESCENT SOCIETIES 17‐19 March 2010, Cavtat ‐ Dubrovnik ‐ (Croatia)

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FINAL REPORT OF THE 11th MEDITERRANEAN CONFERENCE OF THE RED CROSS AND RED CRESCENT SOCIETIES 17‐19 March 2010, Cavtat ‐ Dubrovnik ‐ (Croatia)

Under the auspices of Her Excellency Mrs. Jadranka Kosor Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia

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Croatian Red Cross hosted the 11th Mediterranean Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Cavtat – Dubrovnik ‐ , Croatia from 17 to 19 March 2010. The Conference was organized by the Croatian Red Cross with the collaboration of the Centre for the Cooperation in the Mediterranean and under the slogan “Mediterranean: Values in Action”. All sessions were plenary and simultaneous translation from and into four languages (English, French, Spanish and Arabic) was provided throughout the Conference.

Themes  Migrants  Climate change and environment  Social effects of world economical crisis  Youth

Participants  Delegations of the National Societies of: Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Egypt, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Palestine, Portugal, San Marino, Serbia, Spain, Syrian Arab Republic, Tunisia and Turkey and the Centre for the Cooperation in the Mediterranean.

 Representatives from: Standing Commission of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, International Committee of the Red Cross, Austrian Red Cross, Bulgarian Red Cross, Hungarian Red Cross, Norwegian Red Cross and Venezuelan Red Cross, Platform for European Red Cross Cooperation on Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Migrants – PERCO ‐ , the Red Cross/Red Crescent Climate Centre, Youth Commission of the Red Cross and Red Crescent.

 Guests: Barcelona City Council, City of Dubrovnik, Department of Health – Autonomous Government of Catalonia ‐ , Euro‐Med Youth Platform, European Institute of the Mediterranean – IEMed ‐ , International Organization for Migration.

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 Apologies:

Algerian Red Crescent, Lebanese Red Cross and Slovenian Red Cross.

Steering Committee Meetings

Two meetings were held, one prior to the Conference and the other succeeding the Conference.

Tuesday, 16 March 2010

At the meeting prior to the Conference preparations were discussed and finalised. Agenda included:

 Draft programme/agenda of the 11th Mediterranean Conference

 changes in the Rules of Procedure

 nomination of the Drafting Committee

 proposal ‐ Bureau of the Conference

Friday, 19 March 2010

At the meeting succeeding the Conference some pending issues were discussed:

 arrangements for the next meeting of the Steering Committee

 host of the 12th Mediterranean Conference

 new Rules of Procedure – suggestion for the new Steering Committee to consider adoption of the new Rules of Procedure

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FINAL AGENDA

17 March 2010

Opening Ceremony

Chaired by: Dr. Nenad Javornik – Executive President, Croatian Red Cross Reported by: Ms. Deniz Solen – Coordinator for Governance Services and International Relations, Turkish Red Crescent Society  Addresses were delivered by:

. Executive President of the Croatian Red Cross – Dr. Nenad Javornik

. Mayor of the City of Dubrovnik – Dr. Andro Vlahusic

. Vice President of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies – Governor Paul Birech . Vice President of the International Committee of the Red Cross – Ms. Christine Beerli . Chairman of the Standing Commission – Dr. Massimo Barra  Roll Call  Election of the Bureau of the Conference

First session Chaired by: Dr. Nenad Javornik – Executive President, Croatian Red Cross Reported by: Ms. Deniz Solen – Coordinator for Governance Services and International Relations, Turkish Red Crescent Society  Adoption of the Agenda  Election of the Drafting Committee  Rules of Procedure  Current challenges in the Mediterranean – Introductory speaker of the Conference, Mr. Senén Florensa Palau – General Director, European Institute of the Mediterranean from Barcelona  Report on the 10th Mediterranean Conference – Hellenic Red Cross and Follow‐up of resolutions – Centre for the Cooperation in the Mediterranean

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 Update International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies  Update International Committee of the Red Cross

Second session – Migrants Background paper prepared by: French Red Cross Chaired by: Mr. Dejan Ukropina – Member of the PERCO Executive Board Reported by: Mr. Flavio Ronzi – General Affairs and Governance Support Department, Italian Red Cross

 Keynote speakers: Mr. Thomas Linde – Special Representative on Migration, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and Mr. Peter Schatzer, Regional Director for the Mediterranean – International Organization for Migration

 Panellists – interventions/presentations: French Red Cross, Moroccan Red Crescent, Croatian Red Cross, Spanish Red Cross, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies – Middle East and North of Africa Zone Office ‐ , Turkish Red Crescent Society, Red Cross of the Republic of San Marino, Malta Red Cross Society, International Committee of the Red Cross

18 March 2010

Third session Chaired by: Mr. Younis Al Khatib – President, the Palestine Red Crescent Society Reported by: Dr. Abdel Karim Bensiali – Director, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies – Middle East and North of Africa Zone.

 Report on the activities of the Centre for the Cooperation in the Mediterranean (2007 – 2010), presented by Centre for the Cooperation in the Mediterranean

 Report from Youth members on the Atlantis Youth Camps, III, IV and V and advance of VI – presentations by representatives of: Syrian Arab Red Crescent, the Red Cross of Serbia, Moroccan Red Cross, French Red Cross

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 “Atlantis Camps and Millennium Development Goals”, presentation by Egyptian Red Crescent

Fourth session – Youth Background paper prepared by: Centre for the Cooperation in the Mediterranean Chaired by: Mr. Cristopher Lamb – Honorary member, Croatian Red Cross Reported by: Mr. Ljubomir Miladinovic – Head of International Relations Department, the Red Cross of Serbia

 Keynote speaker: Ms. Marvic Debono – Program Officer, EuroMed Youth Platform

 Panellists – interventions/presentations: Principle and Values Department of the International Federation, International Committee of the Red Cross, Autonomous Government of Catalonia – Department of Health‐ , Youth Commission, Egyptian Red Crescent – member of the Middle East and North of Africa Youth Network ‐ , Italian Red Cross – member of the European Coordination Committee ‐ , Syrian Arab Red Crescent, Croatian Red Cross.

Fifth session – Climate change and environment

Background paper prepared by: Moroccan Red Crescent Chaired by: Dr. Mohamed Assouali – National Programme Coordinator, Moroccan Red Crescent Reported by: Dr. Taher Cheniti – Secretary General, Tunisian Red Crescent

 Keynote speaker: Ms. Madeleen Helmer – Head, Red Cross and Red Crescent Climate Centre

 Panellists – interventions/presentations: The Red Cross Society of Bosnia and Herzegovina, International Committee of the Red Cross, Red Cross of Montenegro, Libyan Red Crescent, Portuguese Red Cross, Red Cross of Monaco.

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19 March 2010

Sixth session – Social effects of world economical crisis

Background paper prepared by: Spanish Red Cross Chaired by: Mr. Andreas Potamianos – Member of the Board of the Hellenic Red Cross Reported by: Ms. Katija Damjanovic – Assistant Executive President and Head of Executive President's Office, Croatian Red Cross

 Keynote speaker: Mr. Børge Brende – Secretary General, Norwegian Red Cross

 Panellists – interventions/presentations: Barcelona City Council, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies – Europe Zone Office ‐ , Albanian Red Cross, Spanish Red Cross, Malta Red Cross Society.

Seventh session – Open debate Chaired by: Dr. Massimo Barra – Chairman of the Standing Commission

Reported by: Ms. Maja Antonić – Officer in the International Relations Department, Croatian Red Cross

 Open debate

Eighth session ‐ Adoption of the Final Document and Closing of the Conference

Chaired by: Dr. Nenad Javornik – Executive President, Croatian Red Cross

 Adoption of the final document

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Side event: meeting with the Heads of Delegations

Action 4: Strategy of the Movement

Main findings from the interviews with the leader from National societies

Chaired by: Dr. Massimo Barra, Chairman of the Standing Commission of the Red Cross and Red Crescent

Social activities offered by the Croatian Red Cross

 16 March: cocktail offered by the Executive President of the Croatian Red Cross at Hotel Croatia

 Lunches offered on 17, 18, 19 and 20 March

 Official dinner for the participants on 17 March with live traditional music

 Cocktail for the participants offered by the Mayor of the City of Dubrovnik at Sponza Palace in Dubrovnik on 18 March

 Farewell dinner offered at Konoba Vinica on 19 March

 Excursion to the Cities of Dubrovnik and Ston and botanical garden Trsteno

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Opening ceremony

Reported by: Ms. Deniz Solen, Turkish Red Crescent Society

The 11th Mediterranean Conference, hosted by the Croatian Red Cross, was organized from 17 to 19 March 2010 in Cavtat, Croatia. The Conference began with the observance of a minute of silence in order to pay tribute to the recently deceased Manuel Fiol, a lifelong Red Crosser, a member of the Spanish Red Cross. Dr. Nenad Javornik, the Executive President of the Croatian Red Cross, in his speech expressed welcome to all the participants. He explained that the three topics of the conference – social effects of world economical crises, rising numbers of migrants and climate changes and their influence on the environment – present a heavy burden for the contemporary world. The fourth topic, youth, is linked to hope and new energy and the solutions that the young can bring for the mentioned problems. Although faced with a world in a mess, Dr. Javornik pointed out that our Movement stays stronger than ever. The fact that the role of the Red Cross Red Crescent was once again recognized as auxiliary to the public authorities of the respective countries in which National Societies are active only contributes to the unity of the world's largest humanitarian organization. Dr. Andro Vlahusic, the Mayor of Dubrovnik, underlining the Mediterranean character of his city and its openness to the region, pointed out that this factor contributed to the tolerance which is nourished by the inhabitants of Dubrovnik, and in fact of the Croatian people towards other cultures. Referring to the hardships that the inhabitants of Dubrovnik had to endure during the recent war, the Mayor expressed his gratitude to the Red Cross for its contribution to alleviating sufferings of the people of Dubrovnik. Mayor's speech was followed by the reading out of the letter of Her Excellency Mrs. Jadranka Kosor, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, addressed to the Conference. In her letter, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of the Movement in times of crises and underlined the significance of the auxiliary role of the National Societies to the public authorities in their countries.

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Mr. Paul Birech, the Vice President of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, in his capacity ‐ representing the President of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies during the Conference, elaborated on some issues contained in the Strategy 2020. He indicated that moving forward to do more, to do it better and to reach further is the commitment of humanitarian workers. He pointed out the necessity of working in a manner which requires a transformation in mindsets and attitudes in order to change the way we live and the way we relate to each other and to the planet that we all share. He dwelt on the greater than ever humanitarian needs and on the growing demands and expectations from humanitarian organizations for their responses to these needs, stressing the importance of moving forward decisively in order to find lasting solutions to the humanitarian challenges of today and tomorrow, by eradicating the underlying causes and factors that contribute to the creation of risks and vulnerability. Ms. Christine Beerli, the Vice President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, commending the Croatian Red Cross for the most valuable services it extended to the people who were negatively affected by the wars of the 1990s in this region, also praised other National Societies in the wider region for their contributions to the establishment of peace and stability and for reconciliation. Mrs. Beerli said that the cooperation and coordination that exist today among the National Societies are testimonies to solidarity in the region. Dr. Massimo Barra, President of the Standing Commission, began his address by stating that at this moment in time we are again facing a range of issues with severe humanitarian consequences, namely the tragic earthquakes in Haiti and Chile, with the ever continuing movement of people seeking a better future and with the sometimes confusing effects of climate change. He also underlined the main feature of the Mediterranean Conference which represents the respect that should be accorded to diversity, tolerance, peaceful coexistence and cooperation among the Red Cross Red Crescent National Societies, which in fact reflect different legacies in terms of history, culture and life habits. After elaborating on the phenomena and the causes of large scale and different forms of migration, Dr. Barra emphasized that discussions on this topic

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should not exclude discussions on the issue of discrimination. He therefore expressed the need to focus on the increasing intolerance, even xenophobia, in the Mediterranean region. Following these welcoming remarks, roll call was conducted (22 delegations were present; Algeria, Lebanon and Slovenia were not represented). Subsequently, the Conference, in accordance with Article 5 of the Rules of Procedure, unanimously elected the Bureau of the Conference. The Bureau was composed of the following: . President – appointed by the host National Society – Dr. Nenad Javornik, Executive President of the Croatian Red Cross; . 2 Vice Presidents – Prof. Jean‐François Mattei, French Red Cross and Prof. Mamdouh Gabr, Egyptian Red Crescent; . Secretary – Mr. Nikola Jagic, Croatian Red Cross; . General Reporter – Dr. Mohamed Assouali, Moroccan Red Crescent. After the adoption of the agenda, the Conference, in accordance with Article 6 of the Rules of Procedure, on the proposal of the Steering Committee, elected the Drafting Committee, which was composed of the General Reporter and one reporter for each of the topics of the Conference. The General Reporter, Dr. Mohamed Assouali from the Moroccan Red Crescent, was elected as a member of the Bureau of the Conference. The Steering Committee proposed membership to the Drafting Committee as follows: Turkish Red Crescent Society (Ms. Deniz Solen), Italian Red Cross (Mr. Flavio Ronzi), International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies – Middle East and North of Africa Zone Office ‐ (Dr. Abdel Karim Bensiali), The Red Cross of Serbia (Mr. Ljubomir Miladinovic), Tunisian Red Crescent (Dr. Taher Cheniti), Croatian Red Cross (Ms. Katija Damjanovic) and Centre for the Cooperation in the Mediterranean (Ms. Amelia Marzal). Additional members proposed by the Conference were: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies – Europe Zone Office (Mr. Tore Svenning) and International Committee of the Red Cross (Mr. Stéphane Hankins). The Drafting Committee, as proposed, was elected by the Conference.

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Following this, the issue of partial modification to the Rules of Procedure was discussed. The following revisions were proposed to the Conference:

 in Article 1 and Article 14 ‐ new article number, which deals with regional conferences, was added  in article 2, year 2010 was deleted, suggestion from Steering Committee (both version)  in the whole text (articles: 2, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15 and 16 ‐ in front of word Federation word “International” in English and French version was added  in the whole text, in English version word “Statutes” was replaced with word “Constitution". The proposal of the current Steering Committee that the Rules of Procedure should be subjected to overall review and, accordingly, amendments should be introduced and that this should be the task of the forthcoming new Steering Committee was approved by the Conference. The introductory speech of the Conference was delivered by Mr. Senén Florensa Palau, the General Director of the European Institute of the Mediterranean from Barcelona, focusing on the current challenges in the Mediterranean. He said the following: "This initiative of the European Union seeks to build mutual understanding, partnership and cultural dialogue among the different cultures on the Mediterranean Basin and to ensure peace and security there. Establishing complementarities between the different cultures of the Mediterranean Basin in terms of potentials and disadvantages, such as the ageing European population and the young population of the south, is of a paramount value. The prospects in this vein are ample. The gap between the rich and the poor in the Mediterranean Basin does not widen and this reality does facilitate it for countries of the region to continue and further develop their economic relations. The 1995 Barcelona Declaration instigated transformation in the Euro‐Med relations and in fact paved the way for two new initiatives starting from the year 2007. These are: Development of bilateral relations within the context of the European Neighbourhood Policy, and Development of multilateral relations within the context of the European Union’s Euro‐Mediterranean Partnership Project."

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Ms. Angeliki Kanata from Hellenic Red Cross presented the report of the Xth Mediterranean Conference that was held in Athens in March 2007. Ms. Marta Corachan Cuyás provided the Conference with information about the Centre for the Cooperation in the Mediterranean (CCM). Director of CCM, Ms. Amelia Marzal made a presentation about the activities and the objectives of the Centre. Ms. Anitta Underlin, Director of the Europe Zone Office of the International Federation, said that following the Xth Mediterranean Conference held in Athens, two major developments occurred: ‐ Introduction of the zonal approach. With the establishment of the zones, the distance between the International Federation and the National Societies drastically shortened. ‐ Adoption of the Strategy 2020, which forms the essential framework for National Societies. Dr. Abdel Karim Bensiali, Director of the Middle East and North of Africa Zone Office of the International Federation, gave information about the essential activities within the Middle East and North of Africa Zone, its achievements and key issues. He put forward the plan of action of the zone by indicating the following points: ‐ Develop better planning & synergy on how to interact with National Societies, ‐ Increased and better engagement with National Societies in the Mediterranean, ‐ Streamline support to National Societies and increase impact and effectiveness, ‐ Zone Strategy: facilitate better alignment of Declarations with strategic planning and implementation. Dr. Bensiali underlined the consolidation of the networks, the monitoring of effectiveness/efficiency, the widening partnership, the securing of funding for field projects, the shaping up of a better future with youth and communities and the development of better capacities as the topics for the future. Mrs. Christine Beerli, Vice President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, deliberating on the power of the unity and universality of the Movement, and the importance of the Movement’s modes of operations based on neutrality, impartiality and independence, commended the invaluable cooperation and support the International

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Committee of the Red Cross has received from the Palestine Red Crescent Society, the Magen David Adom and other National Societies in the Middle East and beyond, in responding to the humanitarian consequences of the continuing hostilities in and around the Gaza Strip and the occupied Palestinian Territories. Mrs. Beerli spoke favourably of the leading role being played by the International Committee of the Red Cross in Restoring Family Links. Referring to the adoption of the new Movement Policy on Internal Displacement in Nairobi, she reminded that the Policy calls for stronger operational partnerships within the Movement in order to affectively fulfil responsibilities, adding that the Policy is being put to the test in Haiti. She also referred to the Nairobi Council of Delegates' Resolution on respecting and protecting health care in armed conflicts and other situations of violence, underlying the importance of a communication campaign being developed by the International Committee of the Red Cross on this issue in which the National Societies and the International Federation are expected to play a central role.

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Session: panel Migrants Reported by: Mr. Flavio Ronzi, Italian Red Cross

I. Thematic introduction “Background paper: Strengthening cooperation and capacities to address the needs of migrants in transit in the Mediterranean area”, prepared by the French Red Cross A) OVERVIEW In the introduction, the Mediterranean Basin phenomenon of “mixed migration” was emphasized. Every year, thousands of migrants and asylum seekers pass through the countries in region. All the migrants in transit generally remain in the shadow. The “invisibility” exposes them to an increased risk of abuse and exploitation. Since the framework of humanitarian needs is often considerable and urgent, humanitarian action poses a challenge in terms of needs assessment and operational planning. The General Assembly of the International Federation in Nairobi (November 2009), identified the importance of exchanging information on the situation of migrants in transit by strengthening the capacities of National Societies in countries along the migratory trails. It was acknowledged that the activities of National Societies in favour of migrants require a clear focus on those most vulnerable and in need. National Societies actively seek dialogue with the public authorities of their respective countries on the humanitarian dimensions of measures and policies impacting the access of migrants to assistance and services, with a particular regard to migrants who, due to their legal status, may be excluded from such assistance.

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B) GOALS In general terms, the goals taken by the National Societies require well‐structured cooperation based on: a) the identification of critical humanitarian needs arising from transit migration, b) the definition of requirements for support (including planning and advocacy), c) the transfer of expertise and capacities d) the development of additional skills through coordinated efforts, where required. Another important aspect of the cooperation in the Mediterranean region is the activity of Restoring Family Links. It is fundamental to recognize the importance of Restoring Family Links services for transient migrants and the necessity to provide these services all along the migratory trails. National Societies have to strengthen their knowledge of the migrants' needs for Restoring Family Links services and to reinforce the mobilisation of the Family Links network of National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross all along the migratory trails, as well as reinforce links between other National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross. Furthermore, National Societies have to explore the procedures and practices put in place by their national authorities to properly manage and identify the human remains of the deceased migrants and to inform their families and, when necessary, to study how the Movement could support them.

C) FORMAT Representative of the Platform for European Red Cross Cooperation on Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Migrants (PERCO) chaired the session. Innovative actions:  Humanitarian action for and with migrants in need, irrespective of their legal or administrative status.  Legal considerations do matter to anyone who wants to address the humanitarian dimensions of migration in an intelligent way.  Politics do influence, create or reduce vulnerabilities in migrants' populations, which means that it is important to be politically intelligent.

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 Building two pillars for the strategy: 1) we must gain, through our action and our proximity on the ground, an understanding of the life‐world of migrants in our countries. 2) the “contextual intelligence” means that we can develop our intelligence about the environment in which migration takes place today in the Mediterranean region, and understand how the migrants' needs and vulnerabilities evolve in today’s environment. The question of irregular migrants is a phenomenon of growing importance in the Arabic speaking countries of the region as well as in Turkey and Israel. There is no doubt that the pressures on migrants who are considered irregular are of increasing humanitarian concern. Today’s policies push migrants increasingly into a clandestine “shadow‐world”, so those migrants are considered as illegal and unwelcome and are to be excluded from humanitarian attention. We must take irregular migration into account as a very crucial subject in designing our strategies. We must analyze mechanisms in our countries that exclude migrants deemed irregular from humanitarian access, and develop systematic approaches (country‐by‐ country) to intervene with our public authorities on the needs and vulnerabilities arising from such mechanisms of exclusion. This is the meaning of putting “contextual intelligence” into our humanitarian action. The growing mobility or fluidity of migration: there are population pressures in force, from younger, more dynamic populations in the south to the more stable demographic variations in north. These include the growing demand for cheap and mobile labour. With regard to this trend, there is a paradoxical mechanism, in which on the one hand, governmental policies want to curb migration, and on the other hand the economy demands for migrant labour often in informal or illegal employment. That trend promotes the availability of young, highly mobile and cheap migrant work force. Actually, the more mobile they are, the more difficult it is for migrants to reach humanitarian services. This is meant when we are talking of the increasing “invisibility” of migration.

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The contextual intelligence would clearly suggest that to address humanitarian dimensions of migration today, as it becomes more and more mobile, it is required of National Societies that they themselves become increasingly flexible and reactive on the ground. It is of prime importance that National Societies of the region realize this potential, associate migrant communities with their work, make them participate; integrate young migrants in to the ranks of their volunteers. It will be decisive if we want to move towards a living and concrete humanitarian cooperation, “hand‐in‐hand and all along the migratory trails”.

Focus on migrants as people – What can we do? As the Mediterranean has in recent years experienced enormous growth in numbers and diversity of migratory flows, such cooperation is increasingly called for. There are significant changes in how migration is perceived by policy makers and the general public. The decrease of arrivals in Italy can essentially be explained by the fact that, since May 2009, Libya accepts to take back all migrants who were rescued in international waters. At the same time controls at Libyan shores have halted most new departures. This has in turn exacerbated pressures inside Libya where the already difficult situation in detention centres requires critical support. That pressures remain strong is also evident at the Turkey/Greece route. The large majority of migrants in an irregular situation in Europe actually do arrive as tourists, overstay their visa or use forged documents. After that some live on the margins of economies and societies that offer just enough monetary or non‐monetary benefits to survive. However, many others do find remunerated employment and manage to send the money to their families back home. Legal avenues would thus appear as the logical complement to combating smuggling, illegal stay and work in the underground economy. The question is: what pushes millions of people to look for a better future in Europe?

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Demography is certainly a key factor. Especially young persons moving into labour markets where insufficient and mostly badly remunerated jobs are offered are every policy maker’s nightmare. To resolve this problem, a pro‐active approach will have to include measures to expand labour market participation through measures such as:  higher retirement age,  higher labour force participation rates of women, particularly in Southern Europe and in the new European Union member states of Central and South‐Eastern Europe,  higher labour force participation rates of migrants: in many European Union member states immigrants and refugees have lower employment rates than native‐born population, especially women migrants ,  active family policy: examples of France and some Scandinavian countries show that a mix of material incentives provided by the state that allows mothers to stay in the work force and to secure their own income, and an independent claim to an old age pension, can influence reproductive patterns. Migrants contribute about 6% to the GDP of Italy. The contribution of irregular migrants to the hidden economies of Europe is without doubt important as well, but difficult to quantify. In fact, these workers are contributing to the social and economic well‐being of our societies. Organizations such as Red Cross Red Crescent Movement or International Organization for Migration can through their networks and knowledge share these facts and inform authorities that are grappling with this major challenge. The common approach to understanding the migrants, first as individuals, as members of a family, of social, cultural, and religious networks, as a potentially positive factor to the development of host and home societies, is a definite asset in this endeavour. The presentation of good practices of National Societies highlighted above, underlined the key role of an auxiliary action between the National Societies. Through the work in partnerships, mainly promoted by the Centre for the Cooperation in the Mediterranean based in Barcelona, it could be possible to sort out the difficulties linked to providing

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assistance to transit migrants. The other important key role in cooperation is played by the youth in political integration.

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Session: Report on the activities of the Centre for the Cooperation in the Mediterranean (2007‐2010) Report on the Atlantis Youth Camps III, IV, V and advance of VI

Reported by: Dr. Abdel Karim Bensiali –IFRC MENA Zone Office

Presentation by the Centre for the Cooperation in the Mediterranean, its Director, the Vice President of the Centre and the Youth Officer covered the Mission and the Plan of Action of the Centre, activities, Strategy and the objectives of the Atlantis camps. There was particular emphasis on the themes at the previous, Xth conference in Athens.

Representatives from the Centre for the Cooperation in the Mediterranean mentioned the Questionnaire addressed to National Societies which gave good data on Youth and how they are organised, their involvement in National Societies, the participation and contribution to gender equality, major programmes, youth exchanges, planning, National Societies' decision making and field activities.

The report highlighted other pertinent issues like resources. There was emphasis on the Union for the Mediterranean (whose mission is to promote the development in the Mediterranean area) and its relationship to Anna Lindh Euro‐Mediterranean Foundation, which is shared and resourced by 41 Euro‐Mediterranean countries to promote cultures and respect for diversity.

The second part of the session included presentations about the Youth Atlantis Camps which were initiated in October 2005 as an initiative of the Italian Red Cross launched at the Cairo Conference in 2004. Presentations were delivered by the three National Societies that hosted the last three Atlantis camps held in Syria (2007), Serbia (2008)

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and Morocco (2009). In conclusion on the Atlantis camps, Camille Mortreux, the youth representative of the French Red Cross, gave a brief on the preparations and organisation of the upcoming VI Atlantis camp in Grans (Marseille) from 24‐31 July 2010.

The last presentation of the session was by Dr. Yahya Tomoum of Egyptian Red Crescent which compared and contrasted the importance and relevance of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals to the International Federation's Strategy 2020 (S2020) and its three Strategic Aims and how they relate to the content of all the Atlantis camps. The speaker highlighted how 8 Millennium Development Goals intertwine with 3 International Federation's Strategic Aims and the various themes and topics addressed in and over the last 5 Atlantis youth camps. The presentation highlighted the importance that the Centre for the Cooperation in the Mediterranean takes the lead to support National Societies to deal with the multitude resolutions, decisions, etc. that emanate from the variety of Red Cross Red Crescent events such as International Conference, Council of Delegates and General Assembly. The work of Centre for the Cooperation in the Mediterranean was praised and the appeal from the Vice President of the Centre and its Director was noted and in return representatives from both Europe and Middle East and North of Africa Zone Offices of the International Federation expressed their full support to the Centre and urged all National Societies to lend a hand through funding, support and resources.

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Session: panel Youth

Reported by: Mr. Ljubomir Miladinović, the Red Cross of Serbia

I. Thematic introduction “Background paper on Youth”, prepared by the Centre for the Cooperation in the Mediterranean General objective of this panel was to enhance the development of Red Cross and Red Crescent Youth and prevent social exclusion of young people at the Mediterranean level. Keynote speaker was Ms. Marvic Debono, Programme Officer in the EuroMed Youth Platform. Panellists were: Dr. Katrien Beeckman, Head of Principles and Values Department of the International Federation; Ms. Christine Beerli, Vice President of the International Committee of the Red Cross; Mr. Joan Colom, Director of the Program on substance abuse in the Department of Health of the Autonomous Government of Catalonia; Ms. Camilla Helgesen, member of the Youth Commission of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies; Dr. Amal Emam from Egyptian Red Crescent – member of the Middle East and North of Africa Youth Network ‐ ; Mr. Rosario Valastro from Italian Red Cross – member of the European Coordination Committee; Ms. Salam Khorshid, Youth Representative from the Syrian Arab Red Crescent and Prof. Ljerka Čačić, Head of Youth Department in the Croatian Red Cross. The panel was chaired by Mr. Christopher Lamb, Honorary Member of the Croatian Red Cross. Keynote speaker, panellists and presentations themselves motivated many very useful interventions. There were a lot of examples of excellent practices, offering a diversity of positive solutions. Through discussion multiple roles of the Youth were identified: as contributors ‐ and acknowledging their skills as innovators, inter‐cultural ambassadors and peer‐to‐peer facilitators ‐ young people are educated, enabled and empowered to be active in leading

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and participation in voluntary activities and in the governance, management and services of their National Society. In order to profit from youth potential with the aim to improve the excellence of delivering Red Cross and Red Crescent services inside the community Youth requires: - to be recognized as agents of change; - to encourage the unique abilities and skills that young people alone can bring to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, such as intercultural communication and innovative use of technology; - to include youth in decision‐making and in program development and implementation to empower their communities; - to increment the exchanges, partnerships and youth camps focusing on formal and non‐formal education. During discussion the participants took into account that the exchange of visions and lessons learnt are in the basis of the Mediterranean Conference as a first step in the process of building up solid bridges, based on reciprocal knowledge between National Societies. Indeed, the exchanges must enable, in the future, the implementation of joint youth programmes and activities. In fruitful discussion participants of the Mediterranean Conference were asked to implement and put into action the Strategy 2020, in relation with the subjects focused on youth. National Societies strongly commit themselves to take into serious consideration reinforcement of the role and the action of the youth, as key agents for social change and economic development and the importance to further promote youth volunteering as a way for the young people to become aware of the benefits of civic engagement (Pledge 129), both on national as well as on international level as a part of the Movement. National Societies warmly welcomed the understanding of the International Committee of the Red Cross', as a component of the Movement, readiness and to take a joint action in improvement of the role and the action of the youth. National Societies were invited to introduce new tools like new technologies which allow Movement to make a wider space for exchanging information and making

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networks of the youth (Euro‐Med Youth Platform, Middle East and North of Africa Youth Network). National Societies should support youth members in participating in the process of revision of the Youth Policy of the International Federation. Youth are not a problem, youth are solution, and they are active members of the National Societies. Youth is a process where we have to work daily. At last but not at least youth are not only the future of the Movement but also the present.

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Session: panel Climate change and environment

Reported by: Dr. Taher Cheniti, Tunisian Red Crescent

I. Thematic introduction “Background paper on Climate change and environment”, prepared by the Moroccan Red Crescent. During the session, the participants discussed the humanitarian impact of the Red Cross Red Crescent on the most vulnerable populations in the light of the report made by the Red Cross/Red Crescent Climate Centre and of the positive experiences which were shared by some National Societies. Two main questions have arisen:  Are we equipped to react efficiently to climate change?  Are we ready to fulfil our advocacy role with the national governments in order to change mentalities and raise risk awareness? Scientific studies show that climate is constantly changing and this is clearly visible from the frequent occurrence of natural disasters. Gases emitted into the atmosphere deteriorate the situation even further. As a response to the commitments agreed upon during the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Conference in 2007, we need to:  Be prepared for unpredictable situations and develop appropriate mechanisms  Assess the risks and integrate the assessment into the planning of programmes  Protect vulnerable populations  Enter specialized partnerships  Reinforce the dialogue with national governments while taking into account our role as auxiliaries to our governments  Seek solutions on the regional and national level  Keep in mind that timely alerts lead to timely actions  Participate in further education so as to be able to react better

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 Mobilize resources in order to fulfil our commitments from the Conference held in 2007

Experiences shared by several National Societies which are active in the field (such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Libya, Portugal and Morocco) have shown that:  There is a need for raising public awareness on the danger posed by anti‐personnel mines during forest fires and/or floods  There is a need to protect water sources and the environment so as to reduce needs and vulnerability  It is necessary to reinforce partnerships between the National Societies, the Climate Centre, the United Nations, governments and specialized institutions  It is necessary to protect cultivable land and to fight against erosion and desertification  There is a need to intensify training and education related to environment protection  It is necessary to introduce measures related to environment degradation and for the protection of the most vulnerable populations into the national programmes  We need to elaborate strategies for raising awareness and for helping populations act in response to humanitarian challenges (creating a sense of responsibility)  There is a need to include young people in the programmes related to preserving the environment  It is necessary to promote training and education related to the use of renewable sources of energy (e.g. the project The Fountain of Light which is based on photovoltaic energy)  There is a strong need to raise awareness on climate change (wide‐scale impact of nuclear risk on environment degradation)  It is necessary to prepare for the 2011 Conference (integration of the Red Cross Red Crescent in strategic plans, dialogue with the governments and integration of the humanitarian aspect).

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Session: panel Social effects of world economical crisis

Reported by: Ms. Katija Damjanović, Croatian Red Cross

I. Thematic introduction “Background paper on Social effects of world economical crisis”, prepared by the Spanish Red Cross Chair Mr. Andreas Potamianos in his introductory speech stressed the importance of action in favour of groups most affected by recession. Keynote speaker, Mr. Børge Brende, in his intervention focused on global trends that have made all of us more vulnerable to economic recession. He commented the fiscal barriers and global consequences of national stimuli packages that were implemented during the crisis. Mr. Brende also brought to attention the main concern that the crisis might have further consequences for the budgets of the humanitarian organizations. He spoke about Red Cross Red Crescent response and possibilities for increasing funding by the means of employing Humanitarian Diplomacy, which is also highlighted in Strategy 2020 as the key working method for the Movement while the consequences of the global economical crisis are identified as key challenges. Mr. Carles Gil spoke of the response of the Barcelona City Council to the crisis, specially stressing the need and institutional commitment for the joint work of the public and private sector. He stressed the importance of networking, from local to global, and enumerated different programmes that are implemented in Barcelona. Mr. Gil also explained the Municipal Plan for Social Inclusion, Citizen’s agreement for an inclusive Barcelona and different aspects of action networks on social subjects. Impact of the crisis, increase in demands, emerging new profiles of vulnerability, relations with other stakeholders, difficulties, expectations and challenges were presented in the “Follow up ‐ trend paper on Economic Crisis Report” given by Mr. Tore Svenning, Special Adviser for Humanitarian Diplomacy of the International Federation. He also introduced the report based on the feedback from the National Societies on this issue, explained the origins, methodology (10 questions were asked) and findings such

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as: increasing demand for services, widening vulnerability, threat to social cohesion in many countries etc. National Society perspective was presented by the examples from the Albanian Red Cross and Spanish Red Cross. Mr. Zamir Muca, Secretary General of the Albanian Red Cross explained how Albanian Red Cross, through its humanitarian activity, assists the vulnerable mobilising the humanitarian power of the society. He spoke about the most affected vulnerable groups in Albania, and about the Albanian Red Cross activities in social field as well as about the challenges that Albanian Red Cross will be faced with in near future. This includes especially: strengthening of the organizational capacity and increasing the provision of community services, designing new projects that are going to respond to the needs raised by new economic situation and new target groups. Dr. Manuela Cabero, Vice President of the Spanish Red Cross, talked about strategies implemented by the civil society for dealing with the economical crisis and the risk of social exclusion. She brought to our attention financial, economical and social causes and consequences of crisis, explaining whom does the crisis affect and what are the effects of the crisis. She mentioned some of the effects, such as increase in the population facing problems of debt; incapacity of social services to cater for the increase in demand; intensification of pre‐existing situations of vulnerability; negative impact on mental health; loss of social protection, deterioration of acquired rights, especially labour rights and increase of labour exploitation etc. Dr. Cabero explained the role of the Social Initiative institution and introduced the survey conducted by Spanish Red Cross on the situation and response to the crisis at territorial level, pointing out “Red Cross Solidarity Fund” as a mechanism to support the territorial network in confronting the crisis which could also be of use for National Societies that are facing similar challenges. Mr. Glen Cachia from Malta Red Cross Society spoke about challenges in social exclusion and poverty as well as how to assist those at risk with the minimal resources. As the other reporters mentioned, the importance of the background document, which was for this topic prepared by the Spanish Red Cross, should be especially stressed.

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Session: Open debate

Reported by: Ms. Maja Antonić, Croatian Red Cross

Chair, Dr. Massimo Barra, called upon the delegates of all National Societies to participate in the open discussion and give their suggestions on the important points to be included in the final document. He also emphasized the importance and the great work that the Centre for the Cooperation in the Mediterranean from Barcelona is doing for the Mediterranean Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies. Dr. Javornik, from the Croatian Red Cross, pointed out the importance of finding new ways for the better distribution of values in the world of changes and challenges. President of the Palestine Red Crescent Society, Dr. Al Khatib, suggested that the biggest challenge of reaching further with fewer sources should be addressed by using the power of volunteers and therefore National Societies should invest in the training of the youth and volunteers. Chair, Dr. Barra, suggested that volunteer networks should play an important role in this, not only on national but also on international level. Youth Director from the Spanish Red Cross, Mr. Murciano, underlined the importance of enabling the youth to participate in all international decision making processes. The youth should be given more opportunities to voice their ideas. Some National Societies have many young volunteers and the others should strive to follow their example because the young are the pillars of the society. Representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Mr. Hankins, pointed out the need for the dialogue between the National Societies as well as between the International Committee of the Red Cross and the National Societies, and National Societies and the governments of their countries that could contribute to addressing the violence in the modern world and assisting the neglected and most vulnerable groups. Prof. Gabr, Secretary General of the Egyptian Red Crescent, said that more should be invested in networks, especially youth networks. He also suggested that in future the Mediterranean Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies should focus even more on sharing of experiences.

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Vice President of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Gov. Birech, highlighted the need for finding new financing resources and starting new initiatives. He also said that the National Societies should authorize and encourage the youth to be able to contribute to the work of the Red Cross and Red Crescent. The discussion was closed by the address of the Youth Officer from Barcelona, Ms. Roberta Fusacchia, who thanked all the National Societies for sending the information on the situation in their countries regarding the youth and expressed her hope that more youth representatives from each National Society will attend the upcoming Atlantis.

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Session: Adoption of the final document and closing of the Conference

General Reporter of the Conference, Dr. Assouali from the Moroccan Red Crescent, read the final document that was adopted unanimously by all delegations.

At the end Dr. Javornik expressed gratitude to all delegations for their contribution to the success of the Conference as well as to the Centre for the Cooperation in the Mediterranean for the support provided during the preparations.

The electronic version of this final report and all the related documents of the Conference (Final Declaration, list of participants, final agenda, background documents, and presentations) are available at the CCM web page (www.cruzroja.es/ccm) and FedNet.