50 years ago, the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement adopted the Fundamental Principles (Neutrality, Independence, Impartiality, Humanity, Universality, Unity, Voluntary Service) at the 20th International Conference of the Red Cross in held Vienna, Austria. These principles remain more than ever relevant, not only as a daily challenge for Red Cross Red Crescent action in the field, but also in the framework of the upcoming World Humanitarian Summit.
That is why the ICRC and the Red Cross EU Office engaged with the Standing Rapporteur on Humanitarian Aid of the European Parliament, member of the European Parliament Enrique Guerrero, to organise a panel debate on this subject. This debate took place on September 21 in the European Parliament Information Office in Belgium. MEPs Enrique Guerrero and Linda McAvan exchanged views with Florika Fink-Hooijer, Director of the European Commission at the Directorate General for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection, Alexander Matheou, Director of Programmes at the British Red Cross, and Stéphane Kolanowski, Senior Legal Advisor at the ICRC Brussels delegation. Leon Prop, Director of the Red Cross EU Office, moderated the debate.