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Our Christian who has made a difference this week is Henry Dunant, the founder of the Red Cross.
Henry Dunant was born in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1828, the first son of a successful businessman
and his wife. His family was devoutly Christian and they had significant influence in Geneva
society. His parents, as Christians wanting to care for others, stressed the value of
social work. His father was active helping orphans and parolees, while his mother worked
with the sick and poor.
Dunant was a devout Christian and in 1848, at age 20, he organised a group of like-minded
young men known as the Union of Geneva. Their aim was to be "more effective in Christian
charity," "to heat up the lukewarm" believers, and to "convert those who had not met God".
In the years that followed, the young Dunant showed tremendous organisational ability,
and soon built bridges between his group in Geneva and like-minded groups elsewhere—including
the Young Men's Christian Association, which had been founded in London just four years earlier
Dunant suggested that these groups should cooperate internationally, and as a
result representatives met in Paris in August 1855 and formed the World Alliance of YMCAs.
In 1849, at age 21, Dunant was forced to leave college because of poor grades, and he joined
a money-changing firm with international interests. In his business role he was on his way to
consult with Napoleon III about water rights in Algeria, when he arrived in Solferino in
northern Italy. In Solferino he saw the bloody aftermath of war between Italy/France and
Austria. 40,000 men lay dead and dying and little was done to care for the wounded. In
those days a battle wound was almost always a death sentence.
Almost anyone else would have run away in horror, but this visionary genius saw the
opportunity to use his organisational skills. He soon had neighbouring townspeople organised,
had the wounded moved into homes, chapels, and even a castle, and begged material support
from local nobles. Remarkably, he persuaded people to care equally for the wounded enemy,
because as a Christian, he saw all men as brothers.
Dunant wrote a book about this experience, called “A Memory of Solferino” and published
it in 1862. He sent copies to key leaders in European countries. There was positive
reaction that something should be done and in February 1863 a group of five Christians
met to start action. This is seen as the founding date of the Red Cross Society. In October
of that year thirty one delegates from sixteen nations met to take action. Dunants idea was
that medical personnel should be considered neutral by both sides of a conflict in war time.
And it was agreed that a symbol would be required for these medical personnel. A red cross on
a white flag was suggested and adopted.
Agreements needed to be formalised and one year later 12 nations signed the first Geneva
Convention, agreeing to Dunants proposals. Three years later another 9 nations had signed.
In following years Red Cross societies were set up in numerous nations, and three more
Geneva Conventions have been held, each one furthering the obligations of warring parties.
However after the first convention Henry Dunants life fell apart. He was sued for bankrupcy
as he had neglected his business duties to further his Christian ideals of caring for others
As a poor forgotten man he went to live in a little Swiss village called Heiden
for some years. However he was found by a journalist, and finally given some recognition.
He received the Nobel prize in 1901. But he died a lonely man nine years laster in 1910.
He had spent none of his prize money, willing it instead to charity.
We salute the founder of the Red Cross, Henry Dunant, a Christian who has made a difference.