Reference :
V-P-IT-E-00072
Date :
26/06/2009
Caption :
Solferino. The ICRC had its own tent put up for the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Solferino battle.
Confidentiality level :
public
Publication restrictions :
publication without restrictions
Description :
Extracts from the 23-06-2009 ICRC operational update
Our world. Your move. Events in Solferino
From 22 June to 27 June, Red Cross Red Crescent staff and volunteers from more than 150 countries will come together, in Solferino, to reflect on 150 years of action and to examine tomorrow's challenges.
On 24 June, 1859, Henry Dunant, a Geneva businessman travelling through Italy, witnessed the horrors of war at the Battle of Solferino. He reached out to help the wounded soldiers, regardless of which side they had fought on, and organised volunteers to provide relief. It was there that the idea of the Red Cross and Red Crescent was born. Dunant suggested that relief societies be established to care for the wounded during wartime – an idea that would lead to the world's largest humanitarian network. A century and a half later, the International Red Cross Red Crescent Movement continues to protect and care for the vulnerable in 186 countries worldwide.
From 23 June to 27 June, Red Cross Red Crescent staff and volunteers from more than 150 countries will come together, in Solferino, to reflect on 150 years of action and to examine tomorrow's challenges.
These activities are tied together under the global theme: Our world. Your move.
22 June: Run to Solferino: ICRC and IFRC staff will set off from Geneva on a five-day run to Solferino in northern Italy.
23 – 27 June: Youth on the Move meeting in Solferino: Hundreds of young people from more than 150 countries will gather in Solferino to discuss their vision for tackling today's and tomorrow's humanitarian challenges. The meeting will result in a declaration to be presented to the international community, Swiss officials and the leadership of the Red Cross Red Crescent on 2 July.
24 – 27 June: Humanitarian Boulevard in Solferino: 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.
26 June: Disaster exercise in Solferino: During the morning, the Red Cross Red Crescent will demonstrate, on Humanitarian Boulevard, how it responds to disasters using ERUs (emergency response units).
26 June: ICRC and IFRC runners arrive in Solferino after covering nearly 500 km from Geneva. They will join another group of runners from the French Red Cross, who ran from Paris. Arrival scheduled for 18:00 in the Humanitarian Village.
27 June: Fiaccolata: The torch-lit procession, following the footsteps of those who took injured soldiers from the battlefield of Solferino to the first medical outpost in Castiglione, will conclude the commemorations of Solferino. Thousands of supporters will march under one call to action: Our world. Your move.
28 June – 3 July: Journey of an Idea and Declaration: The Swiss Red Cross is organising a group of young people who will travel from Solferino to Geneva to present a declaration, outlining their vision of today's humanitarian challenges, to Swiss authorities and representatives of the United Nations and international organisations. Youth will provide updates each day of the journey. The presentation ceremony starts at 19:00 on 2 July at the Place St Antoine in Geneva.
Original material :
digital
Resolution :
5616x3744
Orientation :
landscape
Colour/B&W :
colour
