Article

From Fundamental Principles to individual action : making the Principles come alive to promote a culture of non-violence and peace

Katrien Beeckman

• International review of the Red Cross Vol. 97, no. 897/8, Spring/Summer 2015 p. 263-293 : Tabl.

English

This paper focuses on the individual perspective, as opposed to the institutional or operational one, towards the Fundamental Principles and their underpinning humanitarian values. It demonstrates the added value of this perspective, which goes beyond addressing challenges regarding the Fundamental Principles' understanding and application. By making the Principles and values come alive in peoples' behaviour, the individual perspective also enables Red Cross and Red Crescent staff and volunteers to inspire a change of mindset and behaviour towards a culture of non-violence and peace. Two tools created to this purpose, as well as their impact, are presented: (i) the Seven Skills for Seven Principles (747) framework, which unpacks the high-level Principles into more concrete and tangible components, values and intra- and interpersonal skills; and (ii) the Youth as Agents of Behavioural Change (YABC) initiative, which, using a non-cognitive learning approach, fosters a personal connection towards the Principles and increases participants' ability to role-model them.

• Full text

• International review of the Red Cross / ICRC
• International review of the Red Cross [Vol. 97, no. 897/8 (Principles guiding humanitarian action), Spring/Summer 2015] / ICRC