2. Help promote the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent

3. Help strengthen the ICRC's image

4. Enable the ICRC to benefit from their personal and professional experiences

5. Give the ICRC feedback on how its humanitarian action is perceived

6. Be at the disposal of future delegates and of delegates who are leaving the ICRC

7. Be able to propose that the Association set up or fund specific projects

Adopted by the General Assembly of the Association

Geneva, 17 May 2003

Comments on the Charter

The Association of Former ICRC Delegates (AFD) was founded in 1983. It is open to all those who have carried out at least one mission under contract with the ICRC and wish to remain in touch with the world of humanitarian action.

The AFD Committee sees to it that the Statutes of the Association are respected and maintains a regular dialogue with the ICRC.

For the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Association, the General Assembly has decided to strengthen the role of the AFD and its network by drawing up a Charter that members of the Association will implement in an informal way. The seven points of the Charterare to be understood as follows:

1. By encouraging public and private enterprises to implement ethical and socially responsible policies, former delegates will contribute, in their new duties and responsibilities, towards promoting an attitude that furthers respect for human beings and the environment

2. With a view to promoting the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, former delegates can raise awareness of these principles among their circles of friends and professional acquaintances. The Association will encourage its members to hold informal talks and give presentations (in schools, universities and professional settings) on the origins of the ICRC and the challenges of humanitarian action.

3. By furthering understanding of the ICRC's action in the field, former delegates will help strengthen the ICRC's image and support ad hoc recruitment drives. Moreover, they will prompt people to engage in and fund humanitarian action.

4. To contribute to the ICRC's development, former delegates will enable the organization to benefit from their personal and professional experiences, the main aim being to facilitate the exchange of information with the outside world.

5. As members of civil society, former delegates can give the ICRC feedback on how its action is perceived and suggest ways in which it could improve its image.

6. The network made up of former delegates will remain at the disposal of future delegates and of delegates who are leaving the ICRC. It can provide these people with advice and support, informally helping the relevant ICRC services to facilitate their professional transition.

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The Charter, the original French-language version of which has been translated into English and German, must be brought to the attention of every new member of the Association.

The Charter will remain an internal document. Members must propose their initiatives during the meetings of the regional and national assemblies.

The Charter was drawn up in consultation with the ICRC. A copy was presented to ICRC Vice-President Forster at the official ceremony held in Bern on 3 October 2003 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Association.