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18 - Conclusion

Part II – The Future

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2024

David P. Forsythe
Affiliation:
University of Nebraska, Lincoln
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Summary

The author reviews earlier chapters about the interpretation of the mandate and traditional concerns, concluding that some review and trimming is in order. He believes this is especially so on some matters pertaining to urban “other violence” and also irregular migration. He also believes ICRC “early recovery” programs need clearer limits and at present are not sustainable. The new president from fall 2022 seems open to some changes, which may include revisiting in some ways the nature of the Assembly. A pressing question will remain that of “localization” of the global humanitarian response, and whether Western-based, governed, and financed actors such as the ICRC should yield over time to more local actors when confronting humanitarian concerns. The author believes that, while the quest for a more democratic and less imperial global humanitarian system is good, many have overlooked the importance of what the ICRC has brought to the subject of humanitarian response, namely a reputation for neutrality and appropriate action in conflict situations. These trends are precisely why donors such as the World Bank have continued or even expanded their support for the organization. Similar to Mark Twain, reports of the demise of the ICRC are premature. But that does not mean that all is in order for this oldest of humanitarian actors.

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The Contemporary International Committee of the Red Cross
Challenges, Changes, Controversies
, pp. 394 - 408
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2024

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  • Conclusion
  • David P. Forsythe, University of Nebraska, Lincoln
  • Book: The Contemporary International Committee of the Red Cross
  • Online publication: 01 February 2024
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009387002.019
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  • Conclusion
  • David P. Forsythe, University of Nebraska, Lincoln
  • Book: The Contemporary International Committee of the Red Cross
  • Online publication: 01 February 2024
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009387002.019
Available formats
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Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Conclusion
  • David P. Forsythe, University of Nebraska, Lincoln
  • Book: The Contemporary International Committee of the Red Cross
  • Online publication: 01 February 2024
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009387002.019
Available formats
×