Histories of the Red Cross

The Australian Red Cross Society is part of one of the world's most important humanitarian organisations. It has provided relief in times of crisis for 100 years. The International Red Cross and Red Crescent movement has seven guiding principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality. The origins of the movement are located in mid-nineteenth century Europe; now it comprises around 190 national societies, including Australia's, which was founded in 1914. This year marked a global first for Australia ‒ it held an inaugural conference, Histories of the Red Cross Movement: Continuity and Change, for historians, archivists, curators and others interested in exploring historical ideas and contexts within the Red Cross Movement. An increasing number of historians has taken an interest in the Red Cross since the International Committee of the Red Cross and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) societies opened their archives in the 1990s.