DECISION 4 – APPOINTMENT OF THE DRAFTING COMMITTEE
One woman, Ms. Helen Durham (Australian Red Cross) was appointed to the four-member Drafting Committee
DECISION 14 – GENDER POLICY
The General Assembly,
Recalling Decision 29 (Gender Perspectives) of the 11th session of the General Assembly (1997),
Taking note of the recommendation contained in the report of the Development Commission,
Acknowledging the extensive preparatory work and consultations undertaken by the Development Commission and the Secretariat,
Adopts the Gender Policy of the International Federation,
Urges all National Societies:
- to review existing policies with a gender perspective,
- to put in place institutional procedures to ensure that gender analysis is part of programming,
- to conduct self-assessments with regard to the participation of men and women as staff and volunteers at headquarters and local branches,
- Requests the Secretary General:
- to develop the necessary guidelines which need to accompany the Policy, provided that the necessary resources are available,
- to gather and share information and good practices of National Societies with regard to mainstreaming a gender perspective in Red Cross and Red Crescent work,
- to monitor the implementation of the Policy and report to the 13th session of the General Assembly in 2001.
DECISION 45 – FEDERATION PLEDGE FOR THE 27TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE RED CROSS AND RED CRESCENT
The General Assembly,
Having noted that all members of the International Conference – States, National Societies, the International Federation and the ICRC – are invited to make a pledge to the 27th International Conference,
Recognising the need for the Federation to define its own pledge, and that the pledge chosen should address an issue of importance to all National Societies as well as the Federation collectively,
Also recognising the importance of volunteers for National Societies, and the focus on the development of volunteering in Strategy 2010,
Confirms the following pledge of the International Federation to the 27th International Conference:
Volunteers are the most important strength of any National Society; they are “the power of humanity” and the champions of Red Cross/Red Crescent humanitarian values. The International Federation therefore pledges the following:
- to review the current situation of volunteers and identify areas where change is needed to improve services to beneficiaries, the status of volunteers and their role in the organization;
- to develop clear policies, guidelines and best management practices for volunteers which focus on
- human resources development;
- to ensure equal opportunities for men and women of all ages as volunteers in service delivery and National Society leadership, to bring about greater involvement of marginalized groups, and to provide the required support by paid staff;
- to cooperate with governments to broaden the existing legal, fiscal and political bases for volunteering, and to mobilize increased public support;
- to expand cooperation with other volunteer organizations at all levels, and playa significant role in the International Year of Volunteers in 2001.
Encourages all National Societies to present their own pledges to the International Conference and to motivate their governments to do likewise.
