Presentation msf chantilly_etc
- 1. The MSF Charter Chantilly Principles La Mancha … and their role for the MSF « core values », e.g. - Neutrality - Impartiality - T e m o i n a g e (Witnessing) - Ac c o un ta b i l i ty - …
- 2. The MSF Charter Simple core statement « Médecins Sans Frontières is a private international association. The association is made up mainly of doctors and health sector workers and is also open to all other professions which might help in achieving its aims. All of its members agree to honour the following principles: Médecins Sans Frontières provides assistance to populations in distress, to victims of natural or man-made disasters and to victims of armed conflict. They do so irrespective of race, religion, creed or political convictions. Médecins Sans Frontières observes neutrality and impartiality in the name of universal medical ethics and the right to humanitarian assistance and claims full and unhindered freedom in the exercise of its functions. Members undertake to respect their professional code of ethics and to maintain complete independence from all political, economic, or religious powers. As volunteers, members understand the risks and dangers of the missions they carry out and make no claim for themselves or their assigns for any form of compensation other than that which the association might be able to afford them. » Well known and wideliy distributed Clear Underlines the values of Neutrality and Impartiality as well as the concern for Independence It does NOT underline Temoignage
- 3. The Chantilly agreement • Rwanda Genocide 1994 : MSF fell into an identity crisis for more information see also http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/publications/article.cfm?id=1379 * Chantilly agreement was written in the aftermath and explains MSF action and identity • Temoignage, Respect for Medical Ethics, Defense of Human rights, Concern of Independence from all structures or powers, Impartiality, Neutrality, Accountability and Transparancy, Spirit of « Volunteering » for the NGO as well as the manner how to operate as an association are highlighted • Practical rules of operating are pointed out : Internal organisation of MSF Non – profit – principle of each MSF section Management of resources / fund Financial control and transparency
- 4. La Mancha • Convened in Athens in 2006 • Influenced by the aspects of actions of MSF and identified challanges in the past and future * …Thus a Complementary document and NOT a description of MSF action • Describes different aspects of MSF action (e.g. when MSF should intervene/not intervene, character of MSF work, proactive denounciation of mass human rights violations as a « last resort » etc.) • Depicts different aspects of MSF governance (e.g. utilization of the same MSF logo in all sections, accountability of MSF staff members for their own conduct)
- 5. Conclusions The MSF Charter is a simple and clear paper which outlines some of the MSF core values , e.g. Neutrality and Impartiality The Chantilly Agreement emphasises, in addition to the values Of the MSF Charter, e.g. those of Temoignage and Accountability – this in the aftermath of the Rwandan Genocide Where mass human rights violations occured under the eyes of humanitarian agency workers The La Mancha Agreement is a complementary paper which describes MSF principles and aspects of Action and Governance; this – amongst others – influenced by encountered challenges.