Pledges are one of the most creative and flexible outcomes of the International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent. They are an important tool, giving International Conference members and observers the freedom and creativity to take concrete, measurable and action-oriented voluntary commitments on issues of priority for their local, national and regional contexts – or even at the global level. The voluntary nature of pledges allows for more flexibility and adaptability than resolutions. Pledges are a powerful humanitarian advocacy tool for initiating or advancing dialogue and cooperation among International Conference participants, leading to concrete action in the interests of the most vulnerable.
Reporting on pledges
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How to report on a pledge
- Go to the “Search pledges and reports” and “Filters” page https://rcrcconference.org/about/pledges/search/.
- Log in to your user account, following the steps explained in the “User guide” section below on how to log in.
- To view the list of pledges that your National Society/State/organization has submitted and signed up to: 1. select “Submitted pledges and reports” and “Signed pledges” at the bottom of the filter column; 2. click on “Submit”; 3. a list of the pledges submitted and the open pledges signed by your National Society/State/organization will appear; 4. you can refine the search by selecting the Conference edition.
- Select the pledge you would like to report on. Click on the pledge title to open the pledge.
- Click on the “Report on this pledge” button at the bottom of the right-hand column. A pledge report page will open.
- Complete the required fields “Title”, “Submitter”, “Name and email of focal person”, etc.
- Describe what actions have been taken (including challenges encountered) and provide concrete examples.
- You can add supporting documents, including images, PowerPoint presentations, leaflets and videos, as attachments.
- Once you have completed the form, please read the liability clause paragraph carefully and click on the “Submit” button.
- Please note that the pledges administrator will receive a notification to validate the submitted pledge before publishing it online.
***It is highly recommended to report on the pledges submitted and signed up.***Who submits report
The responsibility for reporting on pledges depends on the type of pledge:- Individual specific pledges are reported upon by the sole pledging party, as they describe a specific commitment with an individual plan of action.
- Joint specific pledges require a joint report by all the pledging parties on their common efforts, as they describe a collaboration on a specific topic.
- Open pledges, which are similar to petitions, are can be reported on by each pledging party individually as regards their respective implementation progress or jointly with several pledging parties.
Is it possible to submit a joint pledge report?
Yes, Conference members and observers can submit a joint report on jointly submitted specific pledges and open pledges. Please assign a Conference member or observer to complete the online pledge report form and do not forget to fill in the names of the other Conference members/observers who jointly report on the pledge.When to report on pledges from the 33rd International Conference
To enable dynamic reporting, the system will be open from July 2021 to 30 June 2024. Conference members can provide their implementation update anytime at their own convenience within this period.
For this long period, Conference members can submit more than one report on the same pledge to demonstrate the advancement of their commitments. The reports will be differentiated by date. For example, Conference members can submit an update in 2022/2023 to show progress on implementation and then submit a final report on the final accomplishments in 2024.
The information received will be compiled and posted on the website to show the progress made and, most importantly, the impact of the Conference outcomes on our daily humanitarian work. In addition, based on this information, a final consolidated report on the outcomes of the 33rd International Conference will be prepared for the 34th International Conference in 2024.How can my National Society/State/institution showcase and share widely the success/challenging stories on the implementation of pledges ?
To encourage knowledge sharing and peer to peer support, in addition to completing the online reporting forms, Conference members and observers are invited to transform their reports into articles posted on the Statutory Meetings blog. A hyperlink of this post can be made to the online reporting form. If you are interested on this option, please contact conferences@rcrcconference.org.How to view/search reports online
- Go to the “Search pledges and reports” and “Filters” page https://rcrcconference.org/about/pledges/search/.
- Select “Report” in the right-hand column. You can refine the search by selecting the “Conference edition”, “Keywords”, “Type of entity”, etc.
Reporting guide on resolutions and pledges of the 33rd International Conference (pdf version)
Who to contact if I require assistance in reporting on a pledge ?
Please send a message to conferences@rcrcconference.org. We will assist you accordingly.Types of pledges
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Specific pledges
Specific pledges are “specific” because they are made by a closed group of pledging parties, often on a single thematic issue. Once drafted and submitted by the pledging parties, the pledge is not open for additional signatures. This type of pledge typically has a more focused approach, tailored to the context or priorities of the pledging parties.- Individual specific pledges are drafted and submitted by one International Conference participant only (e.g. one State, one National Society or one observer). The pledge embodies a personalized commitment and sets out an individual plan of action.
- Joint specific pledges are drafted and submitted by any combination of members and/or observers (e.g. a National Society and its government, a group of National Societies, or a group of National Societies, governments and observers/humanitarian partners). This type of pledge expresses a commitment to work together on a specific topic. It signifies a group commitment with a common plan of action, usually (but not exclusively) in a regional context. We encourage this type of pledge, particularly between a National Society and its government, as it strengthens their relationship, fosters dialogue and establishes their joint commitment to move forward on a particular issue. The content of the pledge is agreed upon in advance and drafted jointly.
Open pledges
Open pledges are drafted and used in a similar style to a petition (they are also referred to as “petition-style” pledges). The initiator drafts a pledge and invites any and all International Conference participants to sign it and commit to the cause. While it is a collective agreement, every signing party is responsible for undertaking its own implementation and reporting. The initiator has sole responsibility for drafting and promoting the content of the pledge. The open nature of this type of pledge makes it an important advocacy tool.
A list of open pledges submitted to the International Conference for signature will be published on the International Conference website and communicated through regular updates to all members.Criteria and content of pledges
Given the voluntary nature of pledges, Conference members and/or observers are free to draft the content according to their priorities. Nevertheless, when drafting the pledge, the following criteria should be considered:
· The content should conform to the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
· The pledge must state clear commitments, outline concrete actions and indicate in measurable terms the objectives to be achieved during the period 2019–2023.
· The pledging parties should be aware of any budgetary implications, and may include a reference to mobilizing the resources required to support the implementation of the pledge.
· The pledge should be clear, concise and ideally fit on one page.
Pledges directly related to the themes and topics of the International Conference or pledges specifically supporting the International Conference resolutions are highly encouraged.
To facilitate the pledging process, templates for specific pledges and open pledges will be made available on the International Conference website as they are developed. In addition, a variety of model pledges will be developed, to provide examples of how to make pledges on various themes. These will also be made available on the International Conference website. International Conference members and/or observers are invited to adapt them to their specific priorities and contexts.The benefits of pledges for all International Conference participants-
For the Movement components:
Member components are encouraged to submit and follow up on pledges in order to promote and implement specific activities and establish a useful platform for discussions with governments and other humanitarian actors. -
For governments:
Governments can use pledges to plan the specific activities they will undertake in support of the International Conference’s themes and resolutions. Pledges provide a way to demonstrate a government’s priorities and commitment to specific topics. -
For Movement components and governments together (joint pledges):
Joint pledges by National Societies and governments provide the basis for joint plans and commitments. These pledges are strongly recommended, and can strengthen the auxiliary role of National Societies and their unique relationship with their governments. -
For observers/other partners:
To strengthen partnerships with other humanitarian actors and provide a concrete platform for collaboration, joint pledges with observers are also encouraged.
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