H.E. Dr. Roberto Balzaretti, Ambassador of Switzerland to the EU and Mr. Walter Fuellemann, Head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Delegation to the EU, NATO and the Kingdom of Belgium, cordially invite you to join the

Roundtable
32nd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent - Power of Humanity: the Fundamental Principles in action

on Wednesday, 14 October 2015, 2.30 pm
at the Mission of Switzerland to the EU, Place du Luxembourg 1, 1050 Brussels.

We are confronted today with a hugely complex humanitarian operating environment. New emergencies are unfolding alongside protracted conflicts; violence and instability are both causes and consequences of armed conflicts and suffering, while natural disasters, environmental problems, urbanization, migration, and socio-economic crises exacerbate situations of chronic hardship.

The International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, which meets every four years, is a unique forum bringing together the world’s largest humanitarian network - 196 States Parties to the Geneva Conventions and the three components of the Movement (ICRC, Federation and 189 National Societies) - to examine and decide upon humanitarian matters of common interest. It is a major event on the humanitarian calendar and the premier global forum to enhance and inspire humanitarian debates among governments, policy makers and the components of the Movement.

The upcoming 32nd International Conference will take place in Geneva, Switzerland, on 8 - 10 December 2015. This conference will mark the 50th anniversary of the proclamation of the Fundamental Principles of the Movement: Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity and Universality. These seven principles define the identity and distinctiveness of the Movement and help safeguard its capacity to perform its humanitarian mission. The Fundamental Principles allow the Movement to reach those that others cannot and are fundamentally lifesaving.

On this occasion, the Mission of Switzerland to the EU and the ICRC Delegation in Brussels are convening a roundtable debate providing both overall information on the International Conference and its new concept, but also allowing for an exchange of views on its goals and challenges that lie ahead.

Further information is available on the International Conference’s website: http://rcrcconference.org/international-conference/

Join us to discuss these topics with our renowned panelists.

Programme

2:00 Registration
2:30 Welcome note by H.E. Dr. Roberto Balzaretti, Ambassador of Switzerland to the EU
Roundtable and Briefing with Nicolas Lang (Ambassador, Commissioner for the 32nd International Conference), Knut Dörmann (Chief Legal Officer, Head of the Legal Division of the ICRC), Leon Prop (Director of the EU Red Cross Office) and Leonor Nieto Leon (Head of Unit, Strategy, Coordination and Inter-Institutional Relations, DG ECHO, European Commission), moderated by Walter Fuellemann (Head of the ICRC Delegation to the EU, NATO and the Kingdom of Belgium)
4:00 Reception

To register, please send an e-mail to partnersindialogue@eda.admin.ch