Actions taken:
In 2018, we evaluated a critical thinking pilot project in partnership with Cambridge University which reached 199 young people via their teachers in ten schools. This pilot is aimed at 14-19 year olds and it was proven to increase critical thinking and empathy in order to counter extreme thinking of any type. It could be easily linked to the British Values and Citizenship programmes of study in schools.
In addition to our usual induction training which covers the meaning of the Fundamental Principles, over the past 5 years the British Red Cross in Northern Ireland has embarked on a project aimed at using our Fundamental Principles to build access and acceptance in a post-conflict environment.
Within this context the team in Northern Ireland (NI) have examined how the Fundamental Principles could be used to:
- extend the reach of our services in NI through increasing knowledge and acceptance of our mandate externally and
- promote better understanding of the role and impact of the Fundamental Principles in helping to access and assist those in need.
We have developed a Principles in Action Project to engage staff and volunteers in this process. The Principles in Action is a process of self-reflection for all of the BRC; however, it does have a particular focus on Northern Ireland. The programme may be challenging for participants, and it should encourage discussions on sensitive issues for some members of staff and volunteers.
We have also organised and participated in events which celebrate and promote the Fundamental Principles. For example, in 2015 British Red Cross organised a cross-Movement event celebrating 50 years of the Fundamental Principles with contributions from the ICRC, the Irish Red Cross and the Lebanese Red Cross. The event was held at the Ulster Museum in Belfast and attendees including government ministers, elected representatives and key influencers and stakeholders from across politics, media and academia.
3 key facts and figures
As a result of participating in the Ideals in Action workshops some of the following commitments/reflections have been made by staff and volunteers.
- “When facing a problem, I will reflect on how the Fundamental Principles will help”
- [I will:] “Let the Principles guide my current and future work”
- [I will:] “Have a close look and discussion around the Principles in our team meetings”
2 high resolution pictures with an extended caption
Participants at an event the British Red Cross held at the Ulster Museum celebrating 50 years of Fundamental Principles in 2015.
1 story of interest
The British Red Cross Principles in Action team in Northern Ireland updated and contextualised the generic British Red Cross Ideals in Action Training Programme for the specific post-conflict context in Northern Ireland. This new Ideals in Action programme is delivered as a one day facilitated workshop.
The new module has been designed so that it can be facilitated as part of induction training or refresher training in Northern Ireland and beyond. Red Cross colleagues who work in Northern Ireland are required to attend an Ideals in Action workshop. Refresher Ideals in Action resources, which further explore how we engage with the Fundamental Principles in our everyday work, have also been developed to be used in team meetings.
The one-day Ideals in Action workshop is split into two key sections:
One which seeks to:
- explore our attitudes/ideas on certain issues related to Northern Ireland: Politics, History, Culture, ‘Otherness’ as well as global Red Cross and Red Crescent perspectives
- let participants ‘think out of the box’ to encourage a discussion about who we are; where we come from and what and how we do what we do in the Red Cross. We also reflect on how the Fundamental Principles can guide and challenge us in our work.
The second section provides colleagues in smaller groups with:
- case studies based both on events that have taken place and possible scenarios that might be encountered. Each case study comes with a set of questions and potential areas of discussion for the smaller groups and for wider whole group discussion.
The training forms part of a broader piece of work which seeks to extend the reach of The British Red Cross in communities that may not be naturally aligned to our organisation. We have drawn on the expertise of the ICRC and the Federation and worked in partnership with the Irish Red Cross. Increasing awareness and understanding of our Fundamental Principles can assist communities we want to engage with understand our humanitarian mandate.
Possible challenges
The current environment in Northern Ireland affects stability. Increasing awareness and understanding of our Fundamental Principles can assist communities with whom we wish to engage to understand our humanitarian mandate.
