Henry Dunant Medal

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Henri Dunant, 1901 Jean Henri Dunant.jpg
Henri Dunant, 1901

The Henry Dunant Medal is the highest award of the Red Cross Movement. It is named after Henry Dunant, the founder of the Red Cross Movement. The medal is presented every two years by the Standing Commission of the Red Cross and Red Crescent. This body represents the International Committee of the Red Cross, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the various National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Contents

History

In 1963, the idea of creating a medal named in honour of the founder of the International Red Cross was submitted to and approved by the Council of Delegates. This coincided with the 100th anniversary of the Red Cross. In 1965, through the generosity of the Australian Red Cross, the Henry Dunant Medal was established by the International Red Cross Conference in Vienna. [1] The first medals were presented in 1969. [2]

Criteria

The Henry Dunant Medal is awarded by the Standing Commission of the Red Cross and Red Crescent. This body, representing all of the groups making up the Red Cross Movement, makes five awards of the medal every two years. These limits are placed to ensure the value and prestige of the medal as the highest honour the Red Cross Movement can bestow upon one of its members. [1]

The medal is awarded to, "recognise and reward outstanding services and acts of great devotion, mainly of international significance, to the cause of the Red Cross/Red Crescent by any of its members". The Standing Commission gives special weight to the international significance of the a potential recipients' acts or service. If the international dimension is lacking, the Commission would likely not select the individual concerned. Though their acts of service may be great, but would likely best be recognized by their National Society. [1]

Regulations still allow for the posthumous award of the medal. However, the various groups of the movement have been encouraged to create other means of recognition for those killed in service to the Red Cross. All posthumous nominations for the Henry Dunant Medal should be for, "truly exceptional cases." [1]

Description

The Henry Dunant Medal is in the shape of a Geneva or Greek cross. The arms of the cross are colored with red enamel. In the center of the cross is a circular bronze medallion bearing effigy of Henry Dunant, facing left. Circumscribed around the effigy are the words HENRY DUNANT 1828-1910. The reverse of the medal is plain. To the top arm of the cross is attached a loop for ribbon suspension. [3]

The ribbon is depicted as either solid green, [3] or green with red edges. [4]

Recipients

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "What is the Henry Dunant Medal". Standing Commission of the Red Cross and Red Crescent. Archived from the original on 14 August 2014. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  2. 1 2 j. p (November 1969). "XXIst INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE RED CROSS" (PDF). International Review of the Red Cross. 9 (104): 607. doi:10.1017/s0020860400063555. ISSN   0020-8604 . Retrieved 11 December 2013.
  3. 1 2 "International Committee of the Red Cross, Henry Dunant Medal". www.medal-medaille.com. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
  4. 1 2 3 "Henry Dunant Medal 2011". Standing Commission of the Red Cross and Red Crescent. Archived from the original on 14 August 2014. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
  5. ↑ "John MacAulay 1959-65". Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement History. International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
  6. ↑ "Eighth Award of the Henry Dunant Medal". International Review of the Red Cross. 23 (234): 163. June 1983. doi: 10.1017/S0020860400069175 . ISSN   0020-8604.
  7. ↑ International Committee of the Red Cross (1987). Annual Report. International Committee of the Red Cross. LCCN   76643262 . Retrieved 11 December 2013.
  8. ↑ "Henry Dunant Medal". International Review of the Red Cross. 33 (297): 487. December 1993. doi:10.1017/S0020860400082139. ISSN   0020-8604.
  9. 1 2 "Henry Dunant Medals Awarded". ICRC. 11 November 2001. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
  10. 1 2 3 4 "Henry Dunant medals awarded 30-11-2003 News Release 03/77". International Committee of the Red Cross. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 ICRC (2005-11-17). "Henry Dunant medals awarded at Red Cross Red Crescent Council of Delegates". Archived from the original on 11 May 2012.
  12. ↑ "Red Cross and Red Crescent honours remarkable humanitarians". OCHA. Retrieved 6 Dec 2022.
  13. 1 2 3 4 "2013 Henry Dunant Medal Winners". standcom.ch. Standing Commission of the Red Cross and Red Crescent. Retrieved 2018-05-06.
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