Henri Dunant (1828-1910)

Founder of the worldwide Red Cross Red Crescent Movement reimagined by Sir Nick Young former CEO of British Red Cross

Case Study

How would you like to be described?
Founder of the worldwide Red Cross Red Crescent Movement

How would you describe what you do?

The Red Cross has become the world’s leading crisis and conflict response organisation, with a Red Cross or Red Crescent national society in every country on the planet, and tens of millions of volunteers and supporters providing help to the most vulnerable, often at the worst moment of their lives.

What is your greatest achievement?

I started life as a businessman, but gave up my career to help the victims of conflict and war, whatever ‘side’ they were on, and without regard to nationality, culture or creed, with humanity and complete impartiality and strict neutrality. My legacy to mankind, and my greatest achievement is the organisation I founded, the Red Cross, and its emblem, recognised throughout the world and on every battlefield and in every disaster as a symbol of hope and help in a crisis.

What was the cause or ’trigger for this journey of making the world a better place through being useful and kind? And how old were you? When did you realise you could make a difference?

I was born in Geneva in 1910, the son of a wealthy landowner/businessman. After I left school, where I was not a particularly good scholar, I went into business with a Geneva-based company developing Swiss colonies, particularly in Algeria, and later set up my own company, buying land and developing it for commercial use. I needed to borrow money to finance the development, and decided to approach the Emperor Napoleon III himself for a loan.

It was when I was waiting to meet him at Solferino, near Castiglione in northern Italy on 25 June 1859, when my life was changed overnight. Nearby, a fierce battle was raging between the Franco-Sardinian Army and the Austrians. In one day’s fighting, 6,000 were killed and 40,000 wounded, and I was horrified to see that those hurt were simply left to die on the battlefield. In my white business suit, I immediately rounded up some of the villagers, and persuaded them to join me on the battlefield to help the wounded.

When I returned to Geneva, I realised that what was needed was a band of neutral volunteers prepared to risk danger in order to help people who were injured in battle. I persuaded some of my wealthy friends to help me found an organisation to recruit, train and manage these volunteers and then, remembering how the blood of the wounded had marked my white suit, and in tribute to the Swiss flag (a white cross on a red background) I chose as our emblem a red cross on a white background.

Later, as the organisation grew, I became its secretary, and we persuaded governments to support it financially, and to recognise its emblem as a symbol of protection for anyone wearing it.

Eventually, this led to the Geneva Convention of 1864, the first attempt to codify international humanitarian law, (the ‘rules of war’), and the protection of victims and civilians in conflict situations.

Sadly, so wound up in the work of the Red Cross had I become, that my businesses failed and in 1867 I was declared bankrupt, became destitute, and was excluded from the organisation that I had created. It wasn’t until twenty years later that I was discovered living the life of a virtual hermit, unable to repay my debts, by friends who helped me get back on my feet and eventually, in 1901 nominated me, successfully, for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Was it something your parents are/would have been proud of and encouraged?

Both my parents lived to see my disgrace; in fact it may have contributed to my beloved mother’s death a year later. Neither lived to see my recovery, nor the award of the Nobel Prize, but they always believed in me and encouraged me in my work, so I think they would have been proud of me – even though my father would have been disgusted that I allowed my business to fail!

Who or what were your early influences?

I was influenced by my father’s work on the local council with convicts and orphans, and particularly by my mother, a hard-working mother of six, and guardian of our home, family and faith.

At school, I was strongly influenced by the teachings and example of my strongly Protestant teachers and became in due course an active member of the local Alms Society (later to become the YMCA), visiting the poor, sick and dying, and acting as a part-time missionary for my faith.

What were you doing at 16?

I left school at fourteen, but took further private lessons and helped out in my father’s business.

What advice would you give your 16 year old self?

Success at school and good exam results help, but you can still do well without them if you work hard, help others less fortunate, and never give up.

What advice would you give to other young people?
Don’t take your eye off the ball. You can’t help anyone if you let your own life or finances become a mess.

What has been the most difficult challenge on the way and how did you overcome it?

Coping with being kicked out of the organisation I founded by people I thought were my friends, however much I deserved their criticism. I eventually overcame my disgrace with hard work, the generosity of people who believed in me, and unshakeable faith in the value of the organisation I had created.

What do you think are the changes we need to see in the world and how can being U&K help solve those things?

In so many countries, war and conflict remain amongst the greatest threats to communities and individuals. The most vulnerable remain vulnerable for most of their lives. The need for volunteers to help meet their needs has never diminished.

How are you useful and kind to yourself - what helps and hinders?

I’m not sure that I ever was U&K to myself. I fear that, in putting the needs of others before my own, I failed to look after my business affairs, and never took the time to find a partner to accompany me through life.

How are you both useful and kind to others (the easy ones and those who are more difficult to be U&K to)?

Despite my disgrace, I continued to try and help those less fortunate than myself. After my death, the Red Cross flourished; branches were established in every country helping vulnerable people of all kinds and in a multitude of different ways.

What is your biggest challenge in the future?

I hope to see the Red Cross grow, and recruit ever more volunteers and supporters of all ages and in every part of the world. Remaining relevant in these times of increasingly bitter and many-sided conflicts, and selfish and nationalistic governments is a constant struggle.

What do you wish you had done differently?

Kept my eye on the ball!