Introduction of the Humanity in War Exhibition in China

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) was founded in Geneva, Switzerland after the conflict at Solferino, Italy between the Austrian and French empires. Henry Dunant happened to witness this horrendous battle, and on seeing the suffering of the wounded on both sides, he decided to help them. That was in 1859.

In 1864 the First Geneva Convention was signed by twelve European States to provide protection for soldiers wounded in battle. The complex history of the ICRC is closely linked to this period. Since then, the organization has worked tirelessly to meet humanitarian challenges and adapt to the changing nature of conflict.

The «Humanity in War» exhibition tells this story. It shows how the history of the ICRC is interwoven with world events, including the limitation of the humanitarian responses and its failures when confronted with impossible situations.

It has been co-produced by Geneva's Art and History Museums, the Caen Memorial and the International Committee of the Red Cross, in cooperation with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum in Geneva.

Here we speak about humanity in war, and show that the story of a conflict is a complex one, which ICRC delegates constantly strive to unravel as they prioritize the most important task of all: to reach the victims, whoever and wherever they are, and bring them protection and assistance.

And therein lies the complexity. Because, in every case, humanitarian intervention in a conflict has to involve a dialogue with belligerents, victims and humanitarian workers.

There are three main strands to the «Humanity in War» exhibition:
> the development of conflict and of the context of violence,
> the development of the identity of victims and the kinds of violence they are subjected to,
> the development of the ICRC's action and the resources it mobilizes.

The exhibition was first shown in 2014 in Geneva, at the Rath Museum, where information on imprisoned soldiers was collected during the First World War. Then it was shown in the Caen Memorial, until 27 November 2015. Now it's currently being shown at the Capital Museum, in Beijing, China.