Thursday’s plenary commission of the conference debated the third and last theme: Strategic partnerships to improve the lives of vulnerable people. This theme complements the two previous subjects presented in the draft Plan of Action. The theme has three goals, which it is hoped can be achieved through 14 specific actions as outlined in the draft plan. These goals are:

• Improved health for vulnerable people based on strengthened cooperation between states and National Societies.
  
• New initiatives to meet the needs of vulnerable people and to reduce discrimination and violence in the community.
  
• Increased National Society capacities and effective partnership with states.

More than 70 participants spoke in the debate, representing National Societies, governments and observers.
A total of 345 pledges were made by governments, National Societies, the Federation, the ICRC and observers during the meetings.

“The thought that has gone into the pledges shows that there has been good dialogue between National Societies and their governments, with pledges often supplementing and complementing one another,” said a member of the pledge-taking team.

Late on Thursday came the excellent news that with the receipt of the pledge from the Brunei Darussalam Red Crescent Society, all National Societies present had made pledges.
Humanitarian action and business: common interests? - from 2.00pm in ITU, room B1
Cooperation between the private sector and aid agencies is under way in many areas, such as disaster preparedness and response and in post-conflict situations. This workshop focusses on the interface between the business and humanitarian worlds in armed conflicts, seeking to provoke debate and stimulate mutual understanding.

Effects of climate change on disaster response - from 2.00pm, EFTA, room A
As climate change will play a major role in shaping future disasters, this workshop has been designed to explore the nature of this change and its consequences for humanitarian agencies. Issues to be highlighted will include sea level rise, changes in tropical storm patterns, changing drought patterns, changes in glacial melt rates and river flow, modifications in disease patterns as a result of climate change and the interplay of urbanization, land use and climate change.

Health education and first aid training: a basic arena for RC/RC voluntary services in community development - from 4.00pm, ITU, Room B1
The challenge to the Red Cross and Crescent Movement - and a focus for this workshop - is to identify simple but effective measures to spread knowledge about health and how to sustain and improve health. According to all available research, the single most important means to fight poverty is to place emphasis on health education, critical to vulnerability reduction and strengthening of coping mechanisms.

Implementation of the statute of the International Criminal Court - from 4.00pm in EFTA room A
The adoption of the Statute of the International Criminal Court in Rome in July 1998 is almost universally regarded as a milestone in international law in general and in international humanitarian law in particular. However, the adoption of the Statute is but a first step. This workshop will focus on what should be done to promote the early entry into force of the Statute.
The elections for the Standing Commission will take place tomorrow (Friday), and each delegation is urged to take part. I should like to underscore the importance of Rule 20, paragraph 2 of the Rules of Procedure, which stipulates that the vote of each delegation shall be cast by its head or by his or her designated replacement.

In accordance with the information sent to each delegation in the notice of convocation of 30 April 1999, I should like to remind you that the heads of delegation must wear their badges when voting. Those who do not cast votes in person are requested to give their badges to their designated replacement so as to facilitate the work of the tellers who must identify the delegates during the voting procedure.

Being the first face on view in the CICG is an important task, and one which Beatrice Ghosh takes seriously. Better known for her unflappable manner answering the phones and greeting visitors to the Federation Secretariat, Beatrice and her colleagues Francine Briffod and Nadia Giannuzzo have for the past two weeks been meeting and greeting the hundreds of delegates, government representatives, observers, journalists and others that have passed through the sliding doors.

Meanwhile, overseeing the complex logistical operation is the Federation’s Martine Derobert. Martine and her colleagues Claire Sharp and Michèle Lorenzini have been devoting long hours to the conference, General Assembly and Council of Delegates since January and have been responsible for arranging everything from the switchboard to catering to buses to and from hotels.

Ever wonder how the thousands of sheets of paper get from the drafting committee or from the top table to your pigeonhole? Look no further than Jeanine Guidera, whose energetic team of volunteers have been chasing statements, running to copy documents and racing back to the hall to ensure everyone has the most up-to-date information possible.

With all the high tech modems, faxes, PCs, laptops, mobile phones and the like on display at the conference, it might be surprising to find that there is still a need for good old-fashioned typing, supplied on floor E by Catherine Debraz, Marina Belda and Feryal Aung Kyaw, who normally work as secretaries in ICRC.
Approved by National Societies at the Federation’s General Assembly last week, Strategy 2010 has been printed and placed in the pigeon holes. Available in Arabic, English, French and Spanish, extra copies are also available free of charge at the publications stand.

More than 20 ICRC and Federation publications can be bought at the publications stand which is open from 10.00am to 4.00pm. Various brochures, catalogues and posters are also available free of charge. “Most people decide themselves what they would like to buy, however, we also provide advice on different publications and take orders for other materials that may not be available here,” says Veronique Ziegenhagen, ICRC team member.
AlertNet - an online news and information service designed by the Reuters Foundation - aims to provide immediate and accurate information on humanitarian crises throughout the world. The service, which features a selection of Reuters news with an emphasis on humanitarian affairs, intends to support organizations with information that will allow them to respond better to emergencies. For further information you can visit the AlertNet stand in the foyer or contact Cristina Estrada: cristina.estrada@reuters.com
The Federation’s media service would appreciate copies of press cuttings and details of interviews given back home by your delegation before, during or after the Geneva meetings. Details can be given to press office staff in the CICG foyer, or when you return home by mail.
Are your eyes red and sore? Do you find that you are squinting and straining to see by the end of the day? To prevent your eyes from becoming dry and itchy, remember to blink regularly, avoid smoky atmospheres and try to get outside for some fresh air as often as possible. If you wear contact lenses, use eye drops to rehydrate them.

This bulletin is for information purposes only. It does not constitute an official record.