Globalization Redcross Text

Development of Humanitarian Works under the Globalization

Bonnie SoHead of International & Relief Service Hong Kong Red Cross

Framework

Foundation of Red Cross Movement – a global humanitarian organizationWhat is Globalization?How Globalization Lead to Better Living?How Globalization Lead to Better Humanitarian Work?Globalization & Humanitarian IssuesGlobal RC Work

Foundation of Red Cross Movement

Battle – Solferino on 24 June 1859Book – Memory of SolferinoMan – Henry Dunant

*World RC Day : 8 May

Red Cross Movement

ICRC – International Committee of the Red Cross (conflict)

IFRC – International Federation of Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies (Natural Disaster)

NS- National Societies (181 NSs)

Geneva Convention

To safeguard our Neutrality:

Four Geneva Convention in 1949Two additional Protocols in 1977

1st Geneva Convention

Wounded soldiers on the battlefields

2nd Geneva Convention

Wounded and shipwrecked at sea

3rd Geneva Convention

Prisoners of War (PoW)

4th Geneva Convention

Civilians under enemy control

Additional Protocols

1st protocol – International conflict

2nd protocol – non-international conflict

International Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies

Govts signed the GVA Con

ventions

Int’l Conference

Basic Seven Principles

HumanityImpartialityNeutralityIndependenceVoluntary ServiceUnityUniversity

人道人道 HumanityHumanity

Prevent and Prevent and alleviate alleviate human human sufferingsuffering

公正公正 ImpartialitImpartialityy

Give priority Give priority to the most to the most urgent cases of urgent cases of distressdistress

中立中立 NeutralityNeutrality

Not take sidesNot take sides

獨立獨立 IndependenceIndependence

Act in Act in accordance accordance with the RC with the RC principlesprinciples

志願服務志願服務 Voluntary ServiceVoluntary Service

No desire of No desire of gaingain

統一統一 UnityUnity

One RC in one One RC in one country and country and open to allopen to all

普遍普遍 UniversityUniversity

All RC have All RC have equal status equal status and share and share equal dutiesequal duties

Humanitarian Works

Without discriminationInternational and nationalPrevent and alleviate human sufferingProtect life and healthEnsure respect for the human being

What is Globalization?


Emergence of a global society in which economic, political, environmental, and cultural events in one part of the world quickly come to have significance for people in other parts of the world.


It describes the growing economic, political, technological, and cultural linkages that connect individuals, communities, businesses, and governments around the world.


Globalization is result of advances in communication, transportation, and information technologies.

I would said the world is “globalizing”

e.g. Changes in the speed of transport

1500-1840: horse-drawn coaches/sail ships (16kph)1850-1930: steamships and locomotives (56-104 kph)1950s : propeller air (480-640 kph)1960s: jet air (800-1120 kph)

e.g. Changes in communication3000 BC -First World War(1914-18) : Pigeon post1837 : telegraph1876 : telephone1955 : the first radio facsimile transmission was sent across the continent late-1970's and 1980's : BBS & email1988: Digital cellular phone

How Globalization Lead to Better Living?


Globalization with solidarity

There is a shared responsibility to assist countries and people excluded from or disadvantaged by globalization. Globalization may help to overcome inequality both within and between countries and contribute to the elimination of poverty.


Greater accountability to people

Public and private actors at all levels with power to influence the outcomes of globalization must be democratically accountable for the policies they pursue and the actions they take. They must deliver on their commitments and use their power with respect for others.


Deeper partnerships

Many actors are engaged in the realization of global social and economic goals – international organizations, governments and parliaments, business, labor, civil society and many others. Dialogue and partnership among them is an essential democratic instrument to create a better world.


An effective United Nations A stronger and more efficient

multilateral system is the key instrument to create a democratic, legitimate and coherent framework for globalization….”

How Globalization Lead to Better Humanitarian Work?

Quick Information

DMIS – Disaster Management Information System

SMSEMAILTeleconference


Quick Resources Mobilization

FACT- Field Assessment & Coordination TeamERU – Emergency Respond TeamRDRT – Regional Disaster Response Team


Experience Exchange across borders

Regional and international workshopsStudy tripsShared of training manuals and promotional materialsStandardization of work practice, e.g. first aid, disaster management


Communications among humanitarian organizations, business sectors and governments


Example from Gujarat earthquake in 2004

Example from Tsunami in 2004

Globalization & humanitarian issues

1. Need Driven or Media Drivene.g. Philippine Typhoon vs Tsunami Forgotten disasters

2. Need Driven or Donors Drivene.g. corporate donations; designated donations; enthusiast

ic volunteers

3. Peer Pressure


3. Language Barrier4. Culture Barrier5. Political Sensitive

*train up people in the region to serve the region


Some study revealed that the gap between the richest and poorest countries, and between the richest and poorest groups of individuals in the world, has increased => some groups become economically/socially more vulnerable

Richest : poorest – 1:30 in 1960 to 1:80 in 1995


Spreading of vulnerable factors following to greater regional economic integration:

e.g. along the Mekong River Basin, the problems of drugs, HIV/AIDS, child trafficking, environmental degrading is spreading particularly along areas benefit from globalization

International Red Cross work in global resources re-distribution

Where more than 80% of donation raised from affluent countries, most of these resources is targeted to the most vulnerable countries in humanitarian work.

No of IFRC appeal since 1919

Global Red Cross campaign for the deprived

Global Red Cross campaign – advocacy on prohibition of use of landmine


Global Red Cross campaign – Even Wars have limits


International Red Cross Red Crescent Centre on Climate Change and Disaster Preparedness - Monitoring and study on global climatic change

www.climatecentre.org


International Red Cross Regional network in Asia and Africa on HIV/AIDS prevention and care


International Red Cross Africa initiative in improving health condition in Africa

Know more about Red Cross!

Hong Kong Red Crosshttp://www.redcross.org.hk

International Red Crosshttp://www.ifrc.orghttp://www.icrc.org

Documents

Globalization Redcross Text