newsletterccm no.18_eng
DESCRIPTION
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.TRANSCRIPT
ACTIVITIES VOLUNTEERS CORNER
N E W S L E T T E R
page 6 page 4
nº 18 1st
quarter 2014
‘Volunteering as a vector
of social cohesion’
Salam Khorshid, Syrian Arab Red Crescent
volunteer and Youth Commission member
The journey of the ‘Flag of Solidarity’
Page 8
Centre for the Cooperation in the Mediterranean
2
CONTENTS
page
EDITORIAL
Bridging the gap towards Intergenerational Dialogue 3
ACTIVITIES
Volunteering as a vector for social cohesion 4
Youth Engagement and Leadership in Atlantis X 4
6th Photo Contest for Youth in the Mediterranean:
Youth Engagement in the Red Cross and Red
Crescent Movement 5
VOLUNTEERS CORNER
Salam Khorshid, Syrian Arab Red Crescent
volunteer and IFRC Youth Commission member 6
PARTNERSHIP
The journey of the ‘Flag of Solidarity’ 8
9th European Regional Red Cross and Red Crescent
Conference 10
Red Cross/Red Crescent Mediterranean Platform on
Migration 10
PERCO Meeting 10
Plus Europe Association and CCM 11
CCM collaboration in the IFRC Youth Engagement
Strategy (Y.E.S.) 11
Youth Engagement in North Africa through the words
of Fatima Zahra Hadri - Moroccan Red Crescent 12
Editorial Board
CCM
Briody J, Addison
Castriotta, Luigi Angelo
Comas Uriz, Santiago
David, Isabelle
Dézarnaud, Cédric
Fraile Rodríguez, Eduardo
García Roca, Àngels
Llobet Méndez, Néstor
Pardo Fernández, Laura
Vico Martínez, Sonia
With the collaboration of:
Fatima Zahra Hadri,
Moroccan Red Crescent
volunteer
Salam Khorshid,
SARC volunteer, Youth
Commission member
Photos by:
Elkabir, Abdessamie
Ficociello, Daniele
García, Jose Ramón
Malla, Ibrahim
Croatian Red Cross
IFRC
ICRC
Cover Photo: Delivery of the Croatian Red Cross flag to the Syrian Arab Red Crescent
volunteers (© Croatian RC; © Jose Ramón García; © Ibrahim Malla, IFRC)
Newsletter | nº 18 | 1st quarter | 2014
3
EDITORIAL
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).
Bridging the gap towards intergenerational dialogue
Centre for the Cooperation in the Mediterranean
4
ACTIVITIES
A seminar focused on social cohesion and
intergenerational dialogue will be organized by the CCM
and the Spanish Red Cross between May 23rd
and 25th.
Under the title “Bridging the gap towards intergenerational
dialogue: Volunteering as a vector of Social cohesion" the
programme will pay specific attention to the application
and impact of information and communication technology
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
seminar aims to delve into it to take a longer look at how
information and communication technologies (ICT) may
make a difference in the fight against social exclusion and
the promotion and management of volunteering as a
means of social cohesion. Promoting interaction, mutual
understanding and the exchange of knowledge among
generations through volunteering may provide a soothing
ground to counteract the effects of the crisis, and ICT
prove to be a crucial tool in this process.
The seminar, which will count, among others, on the
participation of the IFRC, the European Anti-Poverty
Network and the Vodafone Foundation, will take place in
Madrid and it will be co-organized by the CCM and the
Spanish Red Cross (Volunteering Department, Spanish
Red Cross Youth, with the support of the Social
Intervention Department as well as the Social Innovation
Department).
Date: 23-25 May
Venue: Spanish RC Headquarters,
For further information visit the CCM webpage at:
h t t p : / / w w w . m e d i t e r r a n e u m r c . o r g / p o r t a l / p a g e ?
_pageid=174,45008541,174_45008542&_dad=portal30&_schem
a=PORTAL30
Youth leading by example and acting as agents of change
within their communities are some of the aspects that will
be tackled during the 10th edition of the annual RC/RC
Mediterranean Youth Camp Atlantis, organized by the
CCM in collaboration with the Italian Red Cross under the
name “Red Cross/Red Crescent Youth as active leaders
in their National Societies and local communities”. From
June 18th to 26
th, volunteers form the region will gather to
consolidate their capacities as leaders in Jesolo, near
Venice, at the Foresteria Casa di Croce Rossa.
Atlantis X places emphasis on promoting Youth
leadership along with Youth engagement.
The Camp programme aims to empower participants to
build and consolidate their leadership capacities while
inspiring others to do the same. This empowerment will
allow youth to truly engage with their communities and give
them the necessary skills to put into practice new initiatives
and creative ideas. The year 2014 marks the 10th
anniversary of Atlantis, and for this reason the Camp will
be hosted by the Italian
Red Cross which also
hosted the very first
edition of Atlantis.
Keep reading on the following
page
© Daniele Ficociello
Youth Engagement and Leadership in Atlantis X
Volunteering as a vector of social cohesion
Newsletter | nº 18 | 1st quarter | 2014
5
ACTIVITIES
This experience will allow him or her to make valuable
connections while learning how to promote the
engagement, empowerment, and leadership of youth in
the region. During Atlantis the best photos will be exhibited
for the entire week, demonstrating how youth can be
engaged in their society in a variety of different ways.
For further information:
http://www.mediterraneumrc.org/portal/page?
_pageid=174,45008485,174_45008486&_dad=portal30&_schem
a=PORTAL30
Youth Engagement in the Red Cross and Red Crescent
Movement was the theme of 6th edition of the
Mediterranean Youth Photo Contest launched by the CCM.
In accordance with the IFRC’s Youth Engagement
Strategy, the CCM asked for photos displaying youth as
leader, volunteers or beneficiaries, which represent the
three possible scenarios of active youth participation within
the Movement.
The Photo Contest is aimed at promoting the idea of Youth
as Agents of positive change. Participants are invited to
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
National Societies in the Mediterranean region.
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.
The CCM and the Italian RC will continue working hard in
the next few weeks as Atlantis X approaches quickly.
Much is left to be done to ensure that the Camp runs as
smoothly as possible, and that the participants leave
feeling better equipped to become leaders in their own
communities.
6th
Photo Contest for Youth in the Mediterranean: ‘Engaged Youth for Stronger National Societies’
Date:18-26 Junio
Venue: Foresteria Casa di Croce Rossa, Jesolo, Italy
For further information:
h t t p : / / w w w . m e d i t e r r a n e u m r c . o r g / p o r t a l / p a g e ?
_pageid=174,45008504,174_45008505&_dad=portal30&_schem
a=PORTAL30
© ICRC/M.Kokic/V-P-IT-E-00075
© Abdessamie Elkabir . Moroccan Red Crescent Winner of the 4th
Photo Contest
Centre for the Cooperation in the Mediterranean
6
Salam Khorshid, Syrian Arab Red Crescent volunteer and IFRC Youth Commission member
When did you start to volunteer in SARC?
The first time I started volunteering was 2005, but I had the
idea for a long time before. I think I was 11 when first I
decided I wanted to be part of SARC.
What happened when you were 11?
I was in an exhibition of books in Damascus, and there was
a SARC media stand. They were giving a comic about
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
was really moving for me. That is when I decided that I
wanted to be a volunteer. I tried for many times, but you
know, I was young, and the culture of being a volunteer is
not common here in Syria. But when I finished my school
and I started my professional studies I was old enough, and
I became volunteer in 2005.
What do you do in the Syrian Arab Red Crescent?
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
Conference of the Movement held in Sydney, even if I could
not go there because I could not have the visa in time.
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
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
in front of all these people. I am a musician, I play on
stages. But it is not the same when you stand and you
represent your National Society in this Conference. I
returned to Syria with much more confidence. I returned
to Syria to tell other volunteers that everyone outside
Syria, that all the people, all the volunteers around the
world know about them and I think the youth volunteers
in SARC have quite a reputation outside Syria; it is really
a great reputation.
Did you have any other international experience? If
so, what can you tell us about it?
Yes, the second time it was in Geneva. It was my first
meeting with the Youth Commission. They have
international experience, because they have been
working in the Youth Commission for two years before
me. So, I am trying to learn, I was observing, I was
paying attention to everything, every little detail.
VOLUNTEERS CORNER
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.
Toys collecting campaign, 2008 © SARC
Interview with the national TV about a children’s choir , 2010
©SARC
Newsletter | nº 18 | 1st quarter | 2014
7
VOLUNTEERS CORNER
What is the most significant experience that you’ve
had?
I have learnt so much form SARC, from the Movement. I
changed a lot; I am not the same person that started
volunteering in 2005. The field work is the biggest
experience I had. When you are working on the field you
get in contact with the people, with the people’s needs. As
a volunteer, I had so many experiences during crisis,
during war, we had difficult situations. I think this is what
changes the life of anyone, even if you live one situation
only. But no, we started with the Iraq war, Lebanon, Gaza,
and now the Syria crisis. You learn so much from this. You
gain confidence when you are volunteering in SARC or the
Movement. You have the ability to help people in reality, it
is not only dreams. I can help; it is not just daydreaming
about it. You have the chance to do this, to help people.
That’s it, the field work is the most significant experience.
Unfortunately, I am not working in the field right now, but I
want to get back some day.
Did you find what you expected in SARC?
Honestly, no. Let’s go back to when I was 11 and to 2005. I
was expecting the city of Plato (Utopia). I was searching
for this city. I thought I would find it in the Movement, but
after I became a part of this Movement, I realised that we
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
the only thing that brings the
words on the papers to
actual work. They are the
main force. Everything about
this Movement is about the
volunteers. They are the
most important asset in this
Movement, and they can
change everything they
want, they can do anything
they want. First Aid training, 2008 ©SARC
What does it mean to receive the support from
volunteers from other National Societies?
Volunteers from SARC are really happy with this. We are
working 24 hours 7 days a week. We are in danger,
everyone in Syria is in danger right now, but the
volunteers, they have this priority, we have to help people,
and we have to help anyone who needs help. So, any
small action the other volunteers from other National
Societies do, it is really big for volunteers from SARC. In
our centres we have these photos, we have… I think, it is
the Netherlands Red Cross... they started this campaign
with the heart with your hands. They collected many
photos. We printed those photos and put them in the
centres, so every time we are in the centre we look at
them and we know we are not alone. Even if they are not
there helping us physically, they are there emotionally.
Even though we are from different National Societies,
there is this big thing that brings us together: the
Movement. We are the same.
All volunteers, the SARC volunteers, the Red Cross
volunteers from any place in the world, they share the
same pain, they share the same hope, they share the
same work, and they share the same principles. This is
really important for SARC volunteers.
Related links:
IFRC Youth Commission
h t t p : / / w w w . i f r c . o r g / e n / w h a t - w e - d o / y o u t h / y o u t h -
development/youth-commission/
Toys collecting campaign, 2008 © SARC
Centre for the Cooperation in the Mediterranean
8
PARTNERSHIP
The journey of the 'Flag of Solidarity'
A flag with messages of encouragement -crafted by the
volunteers of the Croatian Red Cross- was delivered to
the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) by the Vice-
President of the International Federation of the Red Cross
and Red Crescent, Mr. Francesco Rocca. The flag was
given to several SARC volunteers who were attending a
training in Sahnaya, south of Damascus, on the day that
marked the 3rd
year from the start of the conflict in Syria.
Salam Khorshid, SARC volunteer and member of the
IFRC Youth Commission, underlined the importance "of
all actions carried out by volunteers of other National
Societies" for the Syrian volunteers who "work 24 hours a
day and 7 days a week in danger, and with the priority of
assisting anyone in need". She stressed the importance
for them of "knowing that they are not alone", and that
"even though we come from different National Societies,
there is something bigger that unites us: the Movement".
Source: CCM
Kristina Repusic, a Croatian Red Cross volunteer, is the
mind behind the idea of the flag. Kristina participated in the
Youth Camp Atlantis VIII held in Andorra in 2012.
During Atlantis, she participated in a session organized by
three former SARC volunteers who collaborate with the
CCM- in memory of the volunteers who lost their lives
during the conflict in Syria. This session was organized to
explain the situation people are facing since the beginning
of the conflict.
As of today, 34 SARC members, both volunteers and staff,
have lost their lives while carrying out their humanitarian
mission.
In Kristina's article -published in our Newsletter no.16- she
stated that the session "brought to us a brutal picture of
the reality that is affecting Syria". During the awareness
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
Newsletter | nº 18 | 1st quarter | 2014
9
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
Herzegovina, and Kristina took the occasion to bring the
flag to the Camp, where she explained the story of the
idea. She gave the flag to the CCM in order to make it
reach Syria, and to let SARC volunteers know that they
are not alone.
Thanks to the precious help of the Lebanese Red Cross
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
Croatian Red Cross and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, to
bring the message of young Europeans that appreciate
and value their humanitarian work".
Atlantis IX– Awareness session. © Jose Ramón García
While holding the flag in her hands and seeing the
messages of support, Julia -one of the SARC volunteers-
said that it is beautiful to see that we have friends,
brothers and sisters that think of us and support us".
Delivery of the ‘flag of solidarity’ to the
SARC volunteers in Sahnaya by IFRC
Vice President, Francesco Rocca.
© Ibrahim Malla_ IFRC MENA Zone
Centre for the Cooperation in the Mediterranean
10
9th
European Regional Red Cross and Red Crescent Conference
‘Humanitarian Consequences of the Economic Crisis’ is
the main theme around which the 9th European Regional
Red Cross and Red Crescent Conference will be
celebrated.
The Conference will be hosted by the Italian Red Cross in
the city of Florence, from the 4th to the 6
th 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:
‘How is Europe changing? and ‘Crisis as an opportunity’.
The Spanish Red Cross was called among various
National Societies to collaborate in the content drafting of
the background papers of a number workshops.
Amongst them was the ‘New aspects of Migration’
workshop in which the CCM contributed, together with
PERCO; the Anti-trafficking Network, the Russian
Speaking Migration Network; the Psychosocial Support
Network; the IFRC and the ICRC.
Date: June 3-6 2014
Venue: Congress Palace, Florence
For further information: www.rcrceuropeanconference.org
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
Tunisian Red Crescent 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.
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
implemented at the end of 2014 and will engage
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.
Date: September 2014
Venue: Tunis
For further information :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqSqlkKDjeQ
Newsletter | nº 18 | 1st quarter | 2014
11
PARTNERSHIP
PERCO (the Platform for European Red Cross
Cooperation on Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Migrants)
met for its first annual meeting in Luxembourg from the 2nd
to the 4th of April. The agenda included updates from the
Platform, the IFRC, the RC/EU Office and the ICRC, as
well as a number of working groups and a specific
workshop on ‘Implementing safeguards at borders: the
role of Red Cross National Societies’, attended by –among
others - the Spanish and the Italian Red Cross. In the
session ‘Update on the situation in the Mediterranean’,
following the presentation of the ‘Red Bell’ Campaign on
anti-trafficking by the Red Cross of Serbia, and the
updates of the Spanish and the Italian Red Cross, the
Centre for the Cooperation in the Mediterranean was
given the opportunity to present the initiative regarding the
Red Cross/Red Crescent Mediterranean Platform on
Migration and its first main action point: the in-person
exchange of migration programmes to be implemented at
the end of 2014. The PERCO meeting set the floor for
further cooperation and engagement of Mediterranean
National Societies and northern European National
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.
PERCO Meeting
The CCM and the PLUS EUROPE Association have
signed a collaboration agreement.
The PLUS EUROPE Association, is a civil entity that
represents a contact point between citizens and European
institutions. Its aim is that of promoting a new model of
governance based on mutual respect and on an increased
and more proactive civil participation of European citizens.
Through the creation of strong networks of citizens, civil
entities and professional and business organizations, it
aims at creating a European Civic Alliance that may help
build a more inclusive and democratic Europe.
Both organizations have signed the collaboration agree-
ment with the aim of sharing the know-how and informa-
tion that they have in their specific fields of action, and in
order to join their efforts in the search for synergies that
may help them reach common objectives.
For further information:
http://www.pluseuropeconference.com/
Plus Europe Association and CCM
CCM collaboration in the IFRC Youth Engagement Strategy (Y.E.S.)
Collaboration is the ability of working together towards a
common aim, building a relation that is based on trust and
mutual understanding. These conditions are the basis on
which the CCM and the Youth Action and Volunteering
Development Department have been working together in
the last year and a half, and that have not only brought
great results, but also increased synergies and team spirit.
Starting with the support in the translation of several
documents, which also counted on the support of the
Spanish Red Cross Youth, the collaboration has brought
the CCM to participate in the workshop on the global
consultation of the IFRC YES in June 2013, and has now
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
and graphic designer that closely collaborates with the
CCM. We are confident that the collaboration between the
Youth Action and Volunteering Development Department
will continue to grow in the future and we thank our col-
leagues at the IFRC for their proactive approach and for
wanting the CCM on board on yet another occasion.
For more information on the poster, and to download the
file please visit the following Fednet link:
https://fednet.ifrc.org/CookieAuth.dll?GetLogon?
curl=Z2FPageFilesZ2F127529Z2FYES_12_02_14_print.pdf&rea
son=0&formdir=2
Centre for the Cooperation in the Mediterranean
12
Youth Engagement in North Africa …
After the Sydney Global Youth Conference, youth have
kept on moving forward. A positive example of their
engagement and desire to do more and better is the
meeting of the young leaders of Red Crescent Societies in
North Africa who met in Tunis in February to discuss the
implementation of Y.E.S 'Youth Engagement Strategy' in
their respective countries and in the region.
Youth from the National Societies of Egypt, Libya, Morocco
and Tunisia gathered to discuss on a number of issues
and challenges that await them.
The meeting, hosted by the Tunisian Red Crescent,
underlined the importance of having an active network that
may support and reinforce the work carried out by youth in
the region, as well as committed and empowered youth as
a means for working effectively.
© IFRC
Many young representatives of the Mediterranean region
represented their National Society during the meeting,
therefore we would like to share the testimony of Fatima
Zahra Hadri, the Moroccan Red Crescent delegate, for a
closer glimpse on the meeting and the positive message
that youth have brought with them on their return home.
…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.
Peace, love, empathy, active listening, non violent
communication, cooperation, respect for diversity, skills
and values learnt in my peace journey, and applied in my
daily life.
The North Africa Youth Volunteers Meeting was an
opportunity to represent Moroccan Youth Volunteers, and
to exchange, share experiences, achievements,
challenges, and mapping the common priorities for
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,
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
I am proud of being peace Ambassador in my National
society”.
Fatima Zahra Hadri,
Moroccan Red Crescent volunteer
© IFRC
© IFRC
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.
With the support of:
Centre for the Cooperation in the Mediterranean
Av. Portal de l’Àngel 7, 4th floor 08002 Barcelona
Tel: +34 93 302 15 85 | Fax: +34 93 302 20 75
Follow us on :
www.cruzroja.es/ccm Centre for the Cooperation in the
Mediterranean
www. medyouthpotral.org
Humanity Impartiality Neutrality Independence Voluntary service Unity Universality