Thought Pieces

Covid-19 Is a Call for Universalism

by Juha Leppänen | 10 May 2021 | Thought Pieces

Crises are by definition breaking points. Something that we thought would hold – peace, health, transit system, electric supply, a way of life, a society – shatters. While dealing with the crisis, our understanding of the vulnerability of our world increases, as does our understanding of how to prevent the catastrophe from happening again. The first-hand experience spurs innovation and recalibration that will, if built correctly, lead to increased resilience.

3 things we can be proud of in 2020 and 3 things to focus on in 2021

by Solferino Academy | 13 Jan 2021 | Thought Pieces

Any way you look at it 2020 was unprecedented, complex and challenging, and there is little indication that things will get any easier in the near future. Amongst the many difficulties we faced, however, a number of positives emerged alongside some key lessons for us going forward. At the Solferino Academy we spoke to 20 senior leaders across the IFRC and network of National Societies to ask their views on this. Here is some of what they told us:

It’s time to talk about paying volunteers

by Matt Baillie Smith, Bianca Fadel, Aisling O'Loghlen and Shaun Hazeldine | 26 Oct 2020 | Thought Pieces

Should volunteers be paid for their labour? Such a question may seem a contradiction in terms – isn’t the point of volunteering that you give time for free?

The power of local action in tackling the triple threats of climate, hunger, and COVID-19

by Caroline Zastiral | 16 Oct 2020 | Thought Pieces

The UN has reminded us that the climate crisis is the biggest threat facing humanity over the long term. According to the World Food Programme, 270 million people are nearing the brink of starvation and now, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the climate crisis are exasperating hunger globally.

Bringing the ISO 9001 into the humanitarian world

by Marijke Peys | 15 Oct 2020 | Thought Pieces

The core mission of the Red Cross and thus Belgian Red Cross-Flanders is helping the most vulnerable people. They deserve qualitative help, which makes us vigilant to their needs in an ever-changing world. Restoring Family Links is a mandate activity, one that is existing for a long period. You might thus assume that we know what the clients or stakeholders needs are…