The Standing Commission adopted at its meeting end of April a 2-year Plan of Action for the years 2008-2009. The Plan focuses on Movement-wide issues, which is the specific mandate of the Commission, and on furthering and encouraging the implementation of the resolutions from the International Conference and the Council of Delegates in November 2007. Among its more immediate tasks are the planning for the next Council, which will take place in Nairobi, Kenya in November 2009, and work on the Strategy for the Movement including its overall implementation and monitoring of its impact.
The Standing Commission (SC) is the trustee of the International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, which is the highest deliberative body of the Movement, meeting every four years. Between Conferences, the Standing Commission provides strategic guidance in the interest of all components of the Movement. Its functions are described in article 18 of the Statutes of the Movement, and have been further developed in Council of Delegates (CoD) and International Conference resolutions.
In addition to its responsibilities regarding arrangements for International Conferences and meetings of the Council, the Standing Commission shall:
» promote harmony in the work of the Movement and, in this connection, coordination among its components;
» encourage and further the implementation of resolutions of the International Conference;
» examine, with these objects in view, matters which concern the Movement as a whole.
A further purpose is, in consultation with the ICRC, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and National Societies, to provide strategic guidance in matters, which concern the Movement as a whole. It is not operational. It prepares Movement-wide policies such as the Strategy for the Movement, which aim at harmonious coordination and cohesion in action, building on the strengths and specific mandates of each component.
It is the one body on a permanent basis for the Movement where all components are represented and which meets on a regular basis.
