Days of Yore
The two proposals are:
- Formation of trained medical relief team in every country in peace time to be employed in the relief work for wounded soldiers in the battle field.
- Framing of rules to alleviate the suffering of war victims and to have international treaty among the nations. Once agreed upon and satisfied this might assure humane care for wounded.
JEAN HENRY DUNANT
(Father Of Red Cross)
8th May 1828 - 30th Oct 1910
Based on the proposals a resolution for the formation of medical relief societies “ Society for the relief of wounded combatants”
was passed and the Red Cross Emblem to protect the members of Relief team was adopted. The name
was changed subsequently in the year 1867 as “Red Cross Society” by Netherland.
In 1875 the five member commission of the Geneva Society for Public Welfare
began to call itself the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC).
In 1876 Muslim countries adopted Red Crescent on white background instead of Red Cross.
The Red Cross Societies in times of peace pursue a variety of activities devoted to the health,
safety and well being of the people, with the best relationship, understanding and
cooperation between many governments and their national societies.
The involvement and contribution of young people to the work of the Red Cross has an interesting
history. This genesis of their engagement originated in the province of Quebec, Canada in 1914,
when school children first participated in the humanitarian work of the Red Cross work by making
bandages, dressings and other comforts for soldiers. The idea soon spread to Europe, United States,
Australia, Italy, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, New Zealand, Poland, Switzerland,
United Kingdom and Yugoslavia France, Japan, Romania and Sweden in short duration .
In 1922, the youth programme of the Red Cross was officially recognized and supported by
Resolution No. XVIII adopted by the General Council of League of Red Cross Societies and
expansion of the Red Cross youth programmes to young people outside the schools or other than
those attending educational institution were embodied in one of the General Councils resolutions
XIX.
The Red Cross through its junior and youth programmes, plays an important role in channelling and guiding the young energy in the cause of humanitarian action. The following are some glimpses of Youth Red Cross.
The main purpose of organizing the Youth Red Cross is:
- Informing youth members and others the roles and responsibilities of the Red Cross and encourage them to contribute.
- An awareness on the care of their own health and that of others.
- Understanding and acceptance of civic responsibilities and acting accordingly with humanitarian concern, to fulfill the same.
- To enable the growth and development of, spirit of service and sense of duty with dedication and devotion in the minds of youth.
- To foster better friendly relationship with all, without any discrimination.
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Based on the etymological information of Youth Red Cross, in Anna University it was established in the academic year 2002-03 as per order of the Government of Tamil Nadu. From the time of inception, it started growing like a banyan tree in various avenues such as
- Organizing blood donation camps.
- Rendering help and assistance to the needy and meritorious physically challenged people.
- Organizing 7-Day special camp for YRC Volunteers in rural villages in and around Chennai during summer vacation.
- Organizing a talent hunt programme among orphanage students and visually challenged people.
