Despite the rainy weather, around 20 people attended Wednesday’s Guest Speaker event with Ms. Tania Gentet Ganose from the Geneva Red Cross Youth.

Ms. Gentet Ganose began by presenting the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and its seven fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality. She focused specifically on impartiality and neutrality, which are often confused: impartiality meaning that the Movement does not discriminate between nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions whereas neutrality indicates that the Movement does not take sides in hostilities.

Our guest also pointed out the three components of the Movement: the International Committee of the Red Cross, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the national societies. She then focused on the Swiss Red Cross and the structure of the Geneva Red Cross in particular. She clarified that she works for the Geneva Red Cross Youth, which constitutes a separate entity inside the Geneva Red Cross for persons between 16-30 years old. Many interesting activities of the Geneva Red Cross Youth were presented as well as information on how to become a Red Cross volunteer.

It was great to get an inside view of the work of Red Cross Geneva Youth and to find out how to contribute and be a part of the Red Cross family. It is a fantastic way to feel integrated and as an expat in Geneva, I think this is really important. Volunteer Geneva has, in that sense, materialised a brilliant concept by bringing together expats and volunteering opportunities. And you make friends too!  -Ariadne, Volunteer Geneva

When I was invited as Guest Speaker by Volunteer Geneva, I was curious to know what the association was, never having heard of it before. I received an incredibly warm welcome from both the committee and regular members and I am truly impressed at the impact a handful of devoted and enthusiastic group of people can make. Starting the association from scratch, always attentive to the needs of the underprivileged and eager to work hand in hand with other organisations such as the Red Cross, while keeping their volunteers up-to-date on upcoming events, I believe that Volunteer Geneva has finally given the town’s expat population a window of opportunity for contributing to the community they live in. -Tania Gentet Ganose, Geneva Red Cross Youth

See Ms. Gentet Ganose’s Presentation here: