INTRODUCTION

1. 31st International Conferenceand the Auxiliary Role of National SocietiesKimberly Nina RajaretnamICRCTraining Workshop on strengthening disaster laws andhumanitarian action11 October 2011Male, Maldives

2. INTRODUCTION GENERAL ASSEMBLY – 23- 25 Nov 2011 (186 NS & Federation meet to decide general policies) COUNCIL OF DELEGATES – 26 Nov 2011 (Movement meet to discuss matters concerning Movement and adopts agenda) 31ST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE – 28 Nov – 1 Dec 2011 (186 NS + ICRC + Federation + 194 State Parties to GCs)

3. OVERVIEW OF THE 31ST IC WHEN → 28th November to 1st December 2011 WHERE → Geneva, Switzerland WHO→ States Party to the Geneva Conventions and components of the Movement – the ICRC, the National Societies and their International Federation WHAT → Movement's supreme deliberative body that convenes every four years WHY → addresses evolving contemporary humanitarian challenges and the responsibilities of all Conference Members 3

4. Structure Version : 23 Aug 2011 Roll call for election 9:00 - 11:30 Drafting Committee Opening Ceremony 5th plenary session (closing) Drafting Report Adoption of Resolutions Comm. recommendations (Final SC election results) Drafting Committee 1st round SC Election Com A Com B Com C Com D 3rd plenary session Report on MoU (Election results 1st round) 1st plenary Formal opening (agenda/officers/speeches) 4th plenary session disaster laws issues 2nd plenary session IHL issues 13:30 – 16:00 2nd round SC Election(if need) Drafting Committee Com E Com C Com B Com A 16:30 – 19:00 Com D Com E Consolidation of resolutions and implementation guidance etc. Workshops 18:00 - 20:00 Workshops 18:00 - 20:00 Meet the SC candidates 5 commissions running twice Commission A: Migration: ensuring access,dignity,respect for diversity, social inclusion Commission B: Partnership for stronger NSs & volunteering development Commission C: Health care in danger Commission D: inequitable access to health care Commission E: IHL

5. OBJECTIVES Strengthening IHL and humanitarian actions Our world. Your move – for humanity • Strengthening IHL • Strengthening Legal Protection for Victims of Armed Conflicts • IHL & the challenges of contemporary armed conflicts • 4 year plan of action • Strengthening disaster laws • IDRL • Risk reduction legislation • Regulatory barriers to shelter • Strengthening local humanitarian action • Furthering auxiliary role: partnership for stronger NSs & volunteering development • Migration: ensuring access, dignity, respect for diversity & social inclusion Addressing barriers to health care • 'Health Care in Danger' • Addressing equitable access to health services Pledges

6. OBJECTIVE 1: STRENGTHENING IHL • WHAT IS IHL • -Geneva Conventions, Additional Protocols and Customary Law • WHEN DOES IHL APPLY? • - in international armed conflict • - in non-international armed conflict • - NOT in internal disturbances • WHO DOES IHL PROTECT? • - IHL protects those who are not, or no longer taking part in fighting (civilians, wounded, POWs, etc) • - IHL restricts the means and methods of warfare 6

7. OBJECTIVE 1: STRENGTHENING IHL • Two reports form basis of debate: • Strengthening Legal Protection for Victims of • Armed Conflicts and • 2. IHL and the Challenges of Contemporary Armed conflicts – the "Challenges Report" 7

8. OBJECTIVE 1: STRENGTHENING IHL • Four identified IHL areas for strengthening: • Protection for persons deprived of liberty * • Implementation of IHL* and reparations for victims of violations • Protection of IDPs • Protection of the natural environment 8

9. OBJECTIVE 1: STRENGTHENING IHL • Challenges Report: IHL & the challenges of contemporary armed conflicts: • - overview of current challenges to IHL • background document • includes proposals for strengthening the law • 4 year Plan of Action (2011-2015) • overall aim of improving respect for IHL • objectives and recommendations for action on implementation 9

10. OBJECTIVE 2: ADDRESSING BARRIERS TO HEALTH CARE • Respecting and Protecting Health in Armed Conflict and OSVs = Health Care in Danger (HCiD) • - addresses violence against health care workers, facilities • and beneficiaries • Movement to urge for better access – ensure with Parties the necessary guarantees / practice • HCiD Campaigndevelopment of practical measures 10

11. OBJECTIVE 3:STRENGTHENING LOCAL HUMANITARIAN ACTION • Furthering auxiliary role: partnership for stronger National Societies & volunteering development 11

12. AUXILIARY ROLE OF NATIONAL SOCIETIES • Role of the Auxiliary – IHL gives NS a special status - Geneva Convention 1- Article 26, etc. - Statutes for the Movement – Articles 3 (1) and 4(3) - 27th International Conference – Plan of Action - Resolution 2 from the 30th International Conference 12

13. AUXILIARY ROLE OF NATIONAL SOCIETIES • Plan of Action from the 27th IC called for “an in-depth study into the working relationship between States and National Societies, taking into account the changing needs in the humanitarian, health and social fields, the auxiliary role of National Societies and the evolving role of the State, the private sector and voluntary organizations in service provision”. 13

14. AUXILIARY ROLE OF NATIONAL SOCIETIES • Relationship between the State and National Society • - States have primary responsibility/ NS as a supporting role i.e. in disaster preparedness and response, community based health service, etc. • Cooperation between National Societies and the Movement • - NS role creates its own neutral, impartial, humanitarian space – allows access/operate freely • Fundamental Principles (Humanity, Impartiality and Neutrality) - NS obliged to adhere to the fundamental principles and States obliged to respect this obligation 14

15. ICRC Fundamental principles of the Movement • Humanity • Impartiality • Neutrality • Independence • Voluntary Service • Unity • Universality

16. EXPECTED RESOLUTIONS • Strengthening legal protection for victims of armed conflicts • Four-year action plan for IHL • Strengthening disaster laws • Respecting and Protecting Health Care in armed conflict and other situations of violence • Health inequities with a focus on women and children • Furthering the auxiliary role: partnership for stronger NSs & volunteering development • Migration: ensuring access, dignity, respect for diversity & social inclusion 16

17. PLEDGES • Commitments to carry out actions in support of the implementation of resolutions adopted by the Conference • By any participants, individually and/or collectively • Pledge guidelines sent with convocation in May • Model pledges • Participants are encouraged to submit their pledges from September onwards at http://www.rcrcconference.org/en/pledges-guidelines.html

18. MORE INFO @ www.rcrcconference.org

19. CONTACT PERSONS IFRC Mr Frank Mohrhauer, Head of Governance Support, Policy Implementation and Oversight Department, IFRC, Tel.: +41 22 730 42 55 e-mail: frank.mohrhauer@ifrc.org Ms Yulia Gusynina, Coordinator of the International Conference and Council of Delegates, IFRC, Tel.: +41 22 730 4525 e-mail: yulia.gusynina@ifrc.org ICRC Mr Bruce Biber, Head of the Division for Cooperation and Coordination within the Movement, ICRC, Tel.: +41 22 730 26 63 e-mail: bbiber@icrc.org Ms Victoria Gardener, Head of the Unit for Movement Meetings Tel.: +41 22 730 2110 e-mail: vgardener@icrc.org Standing Commission Ms Helena Korhonen, Head of Secretariat Tel.: +41 22 730 20 32, e-mail: h.korhonen @standcom.ch Commissioner of the 31 st International Conference H.E. Mr. Jean-François Paroz Tel.: +41 22 749 25 22, e-mail: jeanfrancois.paroz@eda.admin.ch