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Home > Issues > Future Generations > Red Cross Conference Future Generations
29th International Conference of Red Cross/Red Crescent in GenevaGeneva, 19-21 June 2006The General Assembly of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Geneva (June 21 – 22, 2006) dealt with the issue of recognition of "Magen David Adom" as an official constituent of the Red Cross, along with the Red Cross and Red Crescent. The assembly was convened in order to vote on the adoption of the Third Amendment to the General Convention. This amendment involved the establishment of a new neutral symbol, the Red Crystal. A neutral symbol was proposed to both promote the universality of the movement and to better ensure the safety of health and aid workers by eliminating religious symbols from vehicles. The additional emblem will appear as a red frame in the shape of a square on edge, on a white background, and is free from any religious, political or other connotation. Ahead of the crucial voting, the World Jewish Congress sent a special PR delegation to Geneva comprised of young professionals (YPDC) from around the world. The delegates engaged in political and diplomatic lobbying in order to convince the assembly members to vote in favor of merging the MDA into the Red Cross. The young professionals in Geneva were previously involved in a seminar and workshop on "Diplomatic Strategy and Tactics". The seminar was aimed mainly at discussing the admission of Magen David Adom to the International Federation and the inaugural session of UN Human Rights Council (opening addressed by Secretary General Kofi Annan). Young Professionals Preparations The young professionals endeavored to assist the MDA by gaining relevant support and information from the delegates of both governmental and national organizations (ICRC). Informational meetings were held with the Magen David Adom, the US Red Cross, Israeli government and ambassadors concerning the nature of the conference and the adoption of the Third Amendment. . The YPDC activities at the General Assembly consisted of three phases Phase One YPDC activists tried to ensure that governments and national societies supported the admission of Magen David Adom by consensus and rejected calls for a vote. Phase Two When it was decided that a vote would take place, the YPDCs worked to convince governments to vote in favor of the package or at least to vote the same they did at the December 2006 Diplomatic Conference (i.e., those abstaining last December were asked to abstain again if they could not vote in favor of the proposal). Phase Three YPDC activists collected information concerning individual national societies and governments on the floor of the General Assembly; helped clarify difficult points to national societies and governments; helped the Israeli delegation, the US Red Cross, and Magen David Adom monitor the opinions of other delegations; and explained the position of the WJC to the various delegates. YPDCs not only met with a number of representatives from Brazil, Romania, Pakistan and Canada, they also engaged in lengthy conversations with members of the other delegations. Some of these meetings led to useful information for the delegations assisting the Magen David Adom, including the Israelis and the Red Cross delegation of the United States.
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