The Fundamental Principles guide the work and decisions of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement for all Red Cross Red Crescent workers in all situations and at all times. Proclaimed in Vienna in 1965, the seven Fundamental Principles bond together the Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. They guarantee the continuity of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement and its humanitarian work.

This 2-hour class describes the history of these Principles and how they were developed based on the Movement’s experience responding to suffering and needs over the previous century. The course further describes each of the Fundamental Principles and explains how they are at once operational and aspirational, and serve both as a guide for action and as the Movement’s common identity and purpose.