History of the Red Cross Movement
Henry Dunant's book A Memory of Solferino was a huge success. Written after Henry had witnessed the aftermath of the Battle of Solferino, it ultimately led to the creation of the International Red Cross and the Geneva Conventions. Translated into virtually all the European languages and read by the most influential people of his time, a Committee of five was then established to bring Henry's vision of trained volunteers aiding in times of war to fruition. This committee, which comprised Gustave Moynier, Henry Dunant, General Guillaume-Henri Dufour, Dr Louis Appia and Dr Théodore Maunoir, was initially called the International Committee for Relief to the Wounded. However, it later became known as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). It met for the first time on 17 February 1863! To learn more in English please click here.
In the summer of 2020, the project ‘Fragments of Red Cross History’ was shared with the public for the first time. The project had been created by Mrs. Maria Enrica Monaco, member of the Italian Red Cross History Faculty and Head of History Section within the RC Regional Committee of Tuscany. The project was delivered with the support and cooperation of the Historic Office of Tuscany and History Tutors of the Italian Red Cross. The project explains the History, Fundamental Principles and Human Values of the Red Cross through short videos that are intentionally simple and accessible to all, particularly during the Covid 19 pandemic. Below you will find five informative videos (in English), one for each member of the Committee of Five. The sixth video (in English) is about the February 17, 1863 meeting of the Geneva Committee of Five.
Further videos were created in 2021/22 to reach a wider, international audience. Maria Grazia Baccolo, delegate for the principles and humanitarian values in Trento and member of the Red Cross History Dept., suggested that we could translate the videos into several languages and share them with Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers and staff in all national societies. This would help everyone increase their knowledge of each member of the Committee of Five and the Meeting of 17th February 1863 in Geneva.
Click here to access the translated videos in Italian (more languages to follow).
Clicca qui per accedere ai video in lingua originale italiana.
In the summer of 2020, the project ‘Fragments of Red Cross History’ was shared with the public for the first time. The project had been created by Mrs. Maria Enrica Monaco, member of the Italian Red Cross History Faculty and Head of History Section within the RC Regional Committee of Tuscany. The project was delivered with the support and cooperation of the Historic Office of Tuscany and History Tutors of the Italian Red Cross. The project explains the History, Fundamental Principles and Human Values of the Red Cross through short videos that are intentionally simple and accessible to all, particularly during the Covid 19 pandemic. Below you will find five informative videos (in English), one for each member of the Committee of Five. The sixth video (in English) is about the February 17, 1863 meeting of the Geneva Committee of Five.
Further videos were created in 2021/22 to reach a wider, international audience. Maria Grazia Baccolo, delegate for the principles and humanitarian values in Trento and member of the Red Cross History Dept., suggested that we could translate the videos into several languages and share them with Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers and staff in all national societies. This would help everyone increase their knowledge of each member of the Committee of Five and the Meeting of 17th February 1863 in Geneva.
Click here to access the translated videos in Italian (more languages to follow).
Clicca qui per accedere ai video in lingua originale italiana.