The Red Cross Movement, Voluntary Organisations and Reconstruction in Western Europe in the 20th Century
As our European colleagues were eating lunch and the Americans were eating breakfast, our Australian Resilient Humanitarianism team members were settling down for a long night of online debate and discussion, fuelled by many cups of coffee and late-night snacks. Across multiple time zones and more than eight different countries, historians gathered online for the two afternoons (mornings…nights…) of knowledge exchange and collegiality.
Sessions were structured around common themes, including:
(1) Helpers and Helpees: The Dynamics and Politics of Humanitarian Reconstruction
(2) Providing Healthcare, Health Education Programs and Assistance In Reconstruction Contexts
(3) Protecting Vulnerable Populations: Children, Women, Exiles and Survivors
(4) Methods in Reconstructing Societies’ Social Fabric and Food Relief
Each session was in three parts: First, the rapporteur spoke for 20 minutes to the argument, salient points, strengths and weaknesses of each paper in the session. Next, a conversation was opened up between the rapporteur and the two authors. This provided an opportunity for each author to respond to the commentary and to speak to other aspects of their paper. Finally, questions were taken from the larger group. Papers had been distributed to the rapporteurs prior to the symposium, giving them time to read and reflect at leisure.
Participants commented on the usefulness of the format in stimulating debate and a reconsideration of aspects of their papers. Connections were forged and resources were shared between historians working on related topics and across the same time spans. A joint publication is planned and conversations continue regarding the format and timing.
Resilient team members Rosemary Cresswell, Neville Wylie, and Melanie Oppenheimer acted as rapporteurs, and Rosemary, Melanie and Romain Fathi presented papers. Our Advisory Group member Professor Glenda Sluga also took on the role of rapporteur, while Professor Davide Rodogno was a member of the organising committee for the symposium.
Thank you to all our participants for their patience as COVID-19 restrictions postponed the symposium several times. It was wonderful to finally meet everyone online and spend a thought-provoking two days in your company.
A copy of the symposium program is available from our website.
For more information or to enter the discussion about the role of the Red Cross in Western European reconstruction, please contact Dr Romain Fathi at Flinders University: romain.fathi@flinders.edu.au