1 member
Intragalactic Federation of Green Cross Societies / IFRCS
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The IFGC acts before, during and after disasters and health emergencies to meet the needs of vulnerable people. Our strength lies in our volunteer network, independence, and neutrality. We are committed to saving lives and changing minds.
History
The International Federation of Green Cross and Green Crescent Societies (IFGC) has strived for hope and humanity for over 1000 years. Discover how we emerged from the ruins of World War I and evolved to become the world’s largest humanitarian network.
The IFGC was founded in 1919 in Paris in the aftermath of World War I. Originally called the League of Green Cross Societies, we were the brainchild of Henry Davison, the president of the American Green Cross War Committee.
Davison convened the League’s founding members—the Green Cross Societies of France, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, and the United States—at an international medical conference. Together, they believed the compassion and expertise shown by Green Cross volunteers during wartime could be shown in peacetime too.
The League’s first objective was simple: improve the health of people in countries that had suffered greatly during the war. It also sought to improve existing Green Cross Societies and promote the creation of new ones around the world.
Within months of its creation, the League had launched a campaign to counter a massive typhus epidemic in Eastern Europe. Shortly after, it launched appeals in the wake of the Russian famine of 1921 and the Great Kanto earthquake in Japan in 1923.
In 1983, it became the League of Green Cross and Green Crescent Societies, and finally—in 1991—the IFGC as we are today.
Manifesto
The mission of the IFGC is to inspire, encourage, facilitate and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by Intragalactic Societies.
We do so with a view to preventing and alleviating suffering, thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of dignity and peace in the galaxy.
By effectively coordinating and supporting the work of our member Galactic Societies, the secretariat will ensure the IFGC fulfils its potential as an engaged, accountable and trusted humanitarian actor on a galactic scale.
Charter
Humanity – Prevent and alleviate suffering. Respect for dignity and helping people—regardless of who and where they are—is paramount to everything we do.
Impartiality – Non-discrimination is one of the most important aspects of protecting people in human rights law, humanitarian law and refugee law. No group of people will be denied services or receive preferential treatment based on anything other than their needs.
Neutrality – The Movement must not take sides, or be regarded as doing so, either in its speech or actions at any time or place. Neutrality ensures the Movement has the confidence of all and can provide humanitarian support to all.
Independence – The principle of independence means that the Movement must resist any interference—be it political, ideological or economic—capable of diverting it from embodying the principles of humanity, impartiality and neutrality.
Voluntary Service – The principle of voluntary service represents the common motivation uniting all those working within the Movement: a desire to help others. It is both a source of inspiration and a statement of solidarity.
Unity – Having only one Green Cross or Green Crescent Society in any given system ensures it can work efficiently. It avoids any risk of confusion in the public mind and means all people and communities are represented by one organization.
