HENRY DUNANT AND HUMANITY

The Red Cross emerged from the desire to offer help, without discrimination. Across the world
the organisation works according to the same seven fundamental principles: humanity,
impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.

The mission of the Red Cross is to prevent and decrease human suffering wherever possible,
protect the lives and health and guarantee respect for humans. The Red Cross does so by
mobilising the power of compassion and solidary. She creates spaces in which vulnerable
humans, voluntary aid workers and donors meet and embody our responsibility to support
others.

The historical origins of the Red Cross can be traced back to the Swiss citizen Jean Henri
Dunant (1828-1910). While on a business trip in 1859, he was witness of the aftermath of the
battle at Solferino in North Italy. France, Austria and Sardinia were involved, fighting over the
independence of Italy. After the battle some 40.000 dead or wounded remained at the
battlefield. Dunant was shocked by what he saw and worked three days and nights to help the
wounded. With his message Tutti Fratelli! (“We are all brothers”) he mobilised women, church
members and other volunteers.

Three years afterwards, in 1862, Dunant published A memory of Solferino in which he

proposed to organise permanent national help organizations with volunteers who would care
for the wounded during times of war and conflict. His plea was soon answered as already in
February 1863, the international committee of the Red Cross met for the first time in Geneva.
Apart from Henri Dunant, it consisted of Louis Appia, Guillaume-Henri Dufour, Théodore
Maunoir and Gustave Moynier. They adopted the red cross on a white background as their
symbol, the inverse of the Swiss flag.
The principles were laid down officially in the first Geneva Convention in 1864. This
established humanitarian war law. It was later followed by updates of the Geneva convention
(e.g. to expand it to war at sea) and international humanitarian law, such as the universal
declaration of human rights.

Henry Dunant received the very first Nobel prize for peace in 1901 for these achievements.
The organisation he established was since rewarded three additional Nobel prizes (in 1917,
1944 and 1963). Since 1863, the Red Cross and its affiliated Red Crescent movement have
grown into a movement of more than 190 national organisations and almost 100 million
volunteers and staff, among them the Red Cresent in 1876 and the American Red Cross
established by Clara Barton in 1881.
They are committed to help not only those harmed by war and armed conflict, but also to raise
awareness and knowledge about first aid, being available as first aid responders at mass
gatherings (sport events, manifestations, …) and advocating for humanitarian treatment of
people even when society is under pressure, at times when normal legal systems and social
security safety nets don’t function optimally. Other activities include providing help to
refugees, re-establish family links among refugees, work on a sustainable living environment
(supply of water!) in conflict areas, visits to political prisoners.

The international committee of the Red Cross is based in Geneva, its office building also
hosting the beautiful International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum and the archive of
these organisations.

1. Are we losing our humanity?

2. How does technology affect what it means to be human?
3. How do the humanities impact business?
4. Does humanity have a future beyond Earth?