A Foundation established in 1931
by the Swiss Confederation
In the early 1930s, Europe and the rest of the world
were in the throes of a major crisis.
The International Committee of the Red Cross was concerned about its
future, fearing that it would lack the necessary independence to continue
giving the victims of conflict all the help they needed. It turned to
the Swiss government for additional funding.
Fully aware of the importance of the ICRC’s role, the government
granted the organization 500,000 Swiss francs – the equivalent of
over three million francs today.
The Foundation for the ICRC was set up to manage this capital and
pay out the income it generated to the ICRC. In 1944, the ICRC was awarded
the Nobel Peace Prize, the proceeds of which went to the Foundation. Despite
this and other income over the years, the Foundation’s potential
remained undeveloped.
In order to revitalize itself and assume a more dynamic role, the Foundation
recently decided to amend its statutes and greatly increase its capital.
Meeting the challenges of the 21st century calls for massive support.
The Foundation board
The Foundation Board is made up of representatives of business
and political circles and of the ICRC itself. It is composed of one representative
of the Swiss Confederation and between five and eleven members who are
appointed by the International Committee of the Red Cross and serve a
four-year term, which my be renewed up to three times.
Members of the Board :
Mr Thierry Lombard
Chairman of the Foundation,
Senior Partner
of Lombard Odier Darier Hentsch & Cie
Ms
Fides P. Baldesberger
Chairman of the board of Directors and CEO of Outils
Rubis SA
Mr
Jacques Forster
Vice-President
of the ICRC
Mr
Georges Gagnebin
Vice Chairman of the board of Directors of Julius Baer
Holding Ltd
Mr Angelo Gnaedinger
Director-General of
the ICRC
Mr Urs Hammer
Partner and Chairman of the board of Directors of R-éal Suisse SA
