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REFUGEES/INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS
Forced Migrationrefers to the coerced movement of a person or persons away from their home or home region.
Refugeeis a person who, due to fear of being persecuted on account of race, religion, nationality, particular social group, economics or politics is outside the country of their nationality, and is unable or unwilling to avail him/herself of the protection of that country.
Internally Displaced Persons(IDPs) are people forced to flee their homes but who remain within their country's borders.
Thursday April 22, 2010
MONTEREY INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
Irvine Auditorium, McCone Building
6-9 p.m.
Friday April 23, 2010
SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY
500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara
Benson Student Center, California Mission Room
9:30-11:30 a.m.
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SANTA CRUZ
College Nine, Namaste Lounge
3-5 p.m.
Saturday April 24, 2010
STANFORD UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL
Crown Quadrangle, 559 Nathan Abbott Way
Classroom Wing, Room 290
10-12 Noon
To Register in Advance or for Further Information Regarding Attendance at any of these Events, Contact Jill Hofmann, ARC Monterey Bay jhofmann@ARCMontereyBay.org or (831) 566-8841
SPEAKERS
Dr. Jean-Pierre Revel
Keynote Speaker
Physician, Former Medical Delegate and Head of Sector, Health Unit, Assistance Division for International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
Dr. Jean-Pierre Revel spent most of his 35-year career in the humanitarian sector, dealing with emergency response after disasters or refugee migrations, as well as long-term development projects. He spent the last ten years with the ICRC, responding to the needs of people affected by conflicts and violence, in particular, Sri Lanka, South Caucasus, Pakistan and the Philippines. He played a significant role in the development of psychological support for victims and rescue workers in disaster situations and was a pioneer in the development of specific response to humanitarian consequences of technological disasters, including Chernobyl.
Rosa Rosales
National President, League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)
Rosa Rosales leads the largest and oldest Hispanic civil rights organization in the United States. Prior to holding this position, she served as Office Director of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). Growing up in the barrios of San Antonio, she helped her father and mother advance la causa of La Union Fraternal Latino Americana, a mutual aid society which her father led for 25 years. When she took over as head of LULAC, one of her goals was to “let our senators and congressmen know that we want a meaningful immigration reform law,” that addresses civil rights, labor rights and “treats immigrants with respect and dignity and affords them a pathway to citizenship.”
Dr. Neil Boothby
Allan Rosenfield Professor of Clinical Forced Migration & Health
Director, Program on Forced Migration and Health, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University
Neil Boothby, EdD is an internationally recognized expert and advocate for children affected by war and displacement. As a senior representative of UNICEF, UNHCR and Save the Children, he has worked for more than 20 years with children in crises in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe. As director of the Program on Forced Migration and Health and Professor of Clinical Population and Family Health at the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University, his research focuses on the psychosocial consequences of organized violence on children.
Adjunct Professor, Monterey Institute of International Studies and University of Oregon. Retired Colonel, U.S. Special Forces.
William G. (Bill) Hillar is a retired Colonel of the U.S. Army Special Forces. He holds a B.A. in Psychology, an M.A. in Education, a Ph.D. in Health Education, and an honorary doctorate in Intercultural Relations. Col. Hillar leads many workshops and courses at colleges and universities in the area of Human Trafficking, International Terrorism, Security Careers (Intelligence Community), Transnational Drug Smuggling, and International Crime. He also works with firefighters and other first-responders where quick reaction and rapid recovery are essential for survival.
Sara Westrick Schomig
Public Affairs Officer for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Washington DC
Sara Westrick Schomig is Public Affairs Officer as well as the ICRC liaison to the humanitarian and human rights NGOs and think-tank communities. Her duties include tracking policy issues such as civil-military relations, protection of civilian populations and the reform of US foreign assistance. She has recently returned from working in Haiti. Prior to her ICRC work, Ms. Schomig conducted numerous international emergency relief missions of the U.S. Agency for International Development and served as U.S. advisor on humanitarian affairs at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations during the 60th UN General Assembly.
The Monterey Bay International Services Committee (ISC) is a subgroup under the Monterey Bay Area Chapter of the American Red Cross. The ISC strives to uphold and reflect the historic and world renowned mission of the International Red Cross movement. We are a part of the world’s largest humanitarian network with 181 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and more than 100 million volunteers. In all our work, we abide by the seven fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.
MISSION & MEMBERS
In partnership with International Service at National Headquarters of American Red Cross and in accordance with the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, we will advocate for the relief of human suffering and for the education, support and development of impartial relief efforts, including the promotion of International Humanitarian Law.
International Services Committee Members (from left to right):
• Renate Rudolph, Director of Programs and Services
• Daniella Zapata, Director of Administration
• Les Kadis, Disaster Client Services Manager
• Jill Hofmann, International Services Committee Chair
Not Pictured:
• Sharon Crino, CEO Monterey Bay Area Chapter
• Lawrence V. Levine, President of Monterey Bay United Nations Association of the USA
• Teresa Strutner, Teacher
BACKGROUND
The history of the Monterey Bay Area Chapter's ISC is the history of the International Red Cross Movement. According to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), this movement all started in June of 1859 at the Battle of Solferino in northern Italy. A young Swiss man named Henry Dunant (pictured right) was traveling through the area to meet with Napoleon III and came upon the scene of more than 9,000 wounded. Unable to forget what he witnessed, he became an advocate for humanitarian aid during times of war and conflict and started the modern international humanitarian law. It called for internationally agreed upon rules and conditions that were upheld to all conflicts; specifically guaranteeing assistance for the wounded, sick, prisoners, and civilians.
This movement continued and laid the foundation for the creation of the ICRC (1863) and first Geneva Convention (1864). ICRC mission statement is: The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is an impartial, neutral and independent organization whose exclusively humanitarian mission is to protect the lives and dignity of victims of war and internal violence and to provide them with assistance. After the ICRC was formed, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the world’s largest humanitarian organization was also created in 1919 after World War I. The mission of the IFRC is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity. It does this by providing assistance without discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions. As a result, of one’s man compassion saved millions of lives and created a movement with the purpose of providing humanitarian assistance.
Why was ISC created at ARC Monterey Bay Area Chapter?
The Monterey Bay Area Chapter's ISC was established in January 2005 as a result of volunteers wanting to contribute toward the Asian Tsunami Crisis and the Measles Initiative and help bring awareness about international issues to Monterey Bay and surrounding communities. The Monterey Bay Area Chapter's ISC is a part of the International Red Cross movement, and it adheres to the seven founding principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.
Why is ISC important for Monterey Bay and our Surrounding Communities?
In recent years the world has experienced a renaissance of violence, terrorism, war, and natural disasters on such a devastating scale. From the September 11, 2001 World Trade Attacks in New York to the war in Iraq , there are millions of people killed, hurt, or devastated by the violence. The need for humanitarian actions is great, as well as understanding international humanitarian laws. In addition, there are incidents such as the Abu Ghraib prison scandal where seven soldiers were convicted of committing inhumane abuses to Iraqi prisoners. This incident was directly the result of individuals not knowing or understanding international humanitarian laws. Furthermore, in these difficult times, how are youth coping with these violent incidents and natural disasters? Do they understand the international humanitarian laws and what to do in times of emergency?
What can our communities do to help students better understand these complicated events and the significance of humanitarianism?
The answer lies within the goals and mission of the Monterey Bay Area Chapter's International Services Committee.
ISC & IRC CURRENT GLOBAL ISSUES
Asian Tsunami
On December 26, 2004, an earthquake hit off the coast of Indonesia registering a 9.0 magnitude. It was the strongest quake to hit in the past 40 years and produced the devastating tsunami. The response to the Asian tsunami has become the world's biggest relief operation. The countries affected were: India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Seychelles, Somalia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
To date, the Monterey Bay Area Chapter's ISC responded by keeping Carmel and the area communities informed, raised awareness, and collected donations. For more information on the Asian Tsunami, please visit the IFRC's website.
Measles & Malaria
Measles is one of the leading killers of children worldwide. An estimated 540 children die each day from the disease. It is easily preventable with a safe and effective vaccine. It costs less than $1 to vaccinate a child.
Since 2001, the Measles Initiative has saved lives by supporting the vaccination of more than 600 million children in more than 60 countries. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the countries affected by measles are a also involved in this fight against measles. Recently, the Measles Initiative was started in Aceh, Indonesia after the Asian Tsunami and mosquito net was dispensed with the vaccinations.
The Monterey Bay Area Chapter's ISC has joined in this program by fund raising and promoting awareness of this issue in the community. Red Cross Youth clubs in the high school also raise funds. For more information, please visit the Measles Initiative website.
Refugee/Displacement
Their needs are the basic needs for survival: shelter, food, medicine, basic supplies, and security. The majority of refugees and internally displaced persons are usually women, children, and the elderly. There are numerous problems for these
refugees. One of the many examples is women in Sudan, who are forced to leave camps to gather food, firewood, and water. In order to obtain these essential supplies, they risk their safety and are often victimized.
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), there are approximately 19.2 million refugees, asylum-seekers and others of concern in the world today. Due to natural disasters such as drought, or war/conflict, these people are forced to move away from their homes in order to protect themselves. For more information about refugee/displacement, please visit the IFRC and UNHCR websites.
HIV/AIDS
HIV/AIDS is Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. It will kill more people this decade that all the wars and disasters in the past 50 years. Since the AIDS epidemic began, 25 million people have died and more than 40 million are now living with HIV and AIDS. In 2001 alone, five million people became infected worldwide.
AIDS can be prevented. The fight against the disease must be waged at the local level. Individuals and communities can cope with the spread of HIV/AIDS by being properly informed, assessing accurately the factors that put them at risk of infection and by subsequently acting to reduce those risks.
For more information about HIV/AIDS, please visit the following websites:
International Federation of Red Cross
Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS
World Health Organization
Food Crisis
Right now, there are about 8 million people in Niger, Mali, Mauritania, and Burkina Faso of Africa that have no food drought and locust invasion. The situation is devastating, especially in Niger, where 28% of its population (3.8 million) are affected.
As a result of this food crisis, people are becoming malnourished and insecure about the long term food supply. It is essential that logistical problems be overcome and that food and supplies can be distributed to the threatened population. For more information about the African food crisis, please visit the IFRC website.
Maternal Health
For information about current maternal health issues, please visit the IFRC and WHO websites.
CURRENT PROJECTS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Exploring Humanitarian Law Curriculum
EHL course encompasses both humanitarian principles and international treaties that seek to save lives and alleviate suffering of combatants and non-combatants during armed conflict. As disaster, humanitarian crisis, and terrorist incidents can occur at any time or any place, knowing these important laws is crucial. By understanding IHL, one helps strengthen these humanitarian rules and principles.
EHL program was designed by ICRC in Switzerland and adapted by education experts and the International Services Division of the American Red Cross. It is a flexible curriculum that can be adapted to any level of junior, high school, or college; or to fit any subject such as science or math.
Our goal is to successfully bring to completion the EHL program in accordance with out mission and the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. We hope to develop youth leadership and prepare them to make a difference in the future global community.
Currently, the Exploring Humanitarian Law programs have been implemented within two local schools and is educating and empowering the local youths in regard to understanding international humanitarian laws, their significance, and events that relate to IHL. Click here to read the latest edition of the EHL Newsletter.
To learn more about the EHL initative, watch the short video below.
International Humanitarian Law Class
Offered two times a year and is open to the public and volunteers of the chapter. A four hour course that is a comprehensive overview of IHL and the guardianship that ICRC provides for the rules of engagement in armed conflict.
President Obama recently spoke of the importance of international humanitarian law in is Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech.
"Let me make one final point about the use of force. Even as we make difficult decisions about going to war, we must also think clearly about how we fight it. The Nobel Committee recognized this truth in awarding its first prize for peace to Henry Dunant -- the founder of the Red Cross, and a driving force behind the Geneva Conventions.
Where force is necessary, we have a moral and strategic interest in binding ourselves to certain rules of conduct. And even as we confront a vicious adversary that abides by no rules, I believe that the United States of America must remain a standard bearer in the conduct of war.
That is what makes us different from those whom we fight. That is a source of our strength. That is why I prohibited torture. That is why I ordered the prison at Guantanamo Bay closed. And that is why I have reaffirmed America's commitment to abide by the Geneva Conventions. We lose ourselves when we compromise the very ideals that we fight to defend. And we honor those ideals by upholding them not just when it is easy, but when it is hard."
For a full transcript of the speech click here.
Please click below to see when the next international humanitarian law class will be scheduled. http://www.ARCMontereyBay.org/classIHlaw
Measles Initiative
In Africa, measles kills 450,000 children under the age of 5 a year. It is a disease that is preventable. With one dollar, you can save a life. The Monterey Bay Area Chapter ISC has recently decided to fund raise and promote awareness of this issue. More information about the Measles Initiative can be found on their website.
The ISC, joined by some very talented Carmel High School Students, participate in the following activities for fundraising:
• Selling of Measles Initiative Stickers
• Coin Can Collection Project
• Holiday Gift Wrapping Campaign at the Crossroads Shopping Village
Speakers Forum:
The ISC Committee attempts to bring in speakers quarterly to discuss international relief and development around the world. In the past speakers have discussed projects in Malaysia, Darfur, Turkey and Sudan as well as speakers who talk about the work of International Committee of Red Cross and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescents in war and relief efforts.
Click here to save the life of a child by donating to the Measles Initiative. $1 vaccinates one child.
GET INVOLVED!
Become a member of ISC - Anyone is welcome to join the International Service Committee
Participate in projects for the Measles Initiative and IHL Education - Buy Measles Initiative Stickers ($1 each). 100% of funds go directly to the Measles Initiative. Or donate directly to the Measles Initiative by going to Monterey Bay Area Chapter donation page and making a secure donation.
DONATE NOW
BECOME A VOLUNTEER
• If you are interested in more information about any of our International Services projects, please contact Jill Hofmann, International Services Chair, at jilljonn@hotmail.com or (831) 566-8841.
• For other volunteer opportunities at the Chapter: Contact our Volunteer Department
All Photos © International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
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