On May 8, when the world of the Red Cross, the Red Crescent and Red Lion and Sun each year commemorates Henry Dunanfs memory, the movement has chosen its universality as a rallying standard for all National Societies in 1966.

In December 1965 there took place in Liège a “Study period on international medical law” which consisted of a discussion by representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross, of the International Committee of Military Medicine and Pharmacy and of the World Medical Association: the World Health Organization and the League of Red Cross Societies were represented by observers. This was followed by a general meeting of the Medico–legal Commission of the International Law Association and of the International Medical Law Study Centre of Liège.

ICRC Relief Actions. —In the different areas in which it is able to take action, the International Committee of the Red Cross is pursuing its efforts on behalf of victims of the Vietnam conflict. It is co-operating closely with the Swiss Red Cross, whose medical team has arrived in Saigon. This consists of a group of eight doctors and nurses who will be working at the Kontum hospital on the high central plateau. Mr. André Durand, delegate general in Asia, has gone to Saigon to take part in its installation.

A series of top level International Red Cross meetings began in Geneva on April 22, 1966.

First was the traditional “three presidents” meeting of the Chairman of the Standing Commission (the Countess of Limerick, Great Britain), the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (Samuel A. Gonard), and the Chairman of the League of Red Cross Societies Board of Governors (José Barroso, Mexico).

The documentary material prepared by the League of Red Cross Societies for World Red Cross Day in 1966, includes an interesting study by Mr. Kai J. Warras, Executive Chairman of the League Development Programme Advisory Panel and Secretary–General of the Finnish Red Cross. In this monograph the author examines one of the most important problems facing the Red Cross today, at a time when this movement is expanding considerably and when newly created Societies are carrying out their tasks under conditions which are often difficult. We believe the publication of Mr. Warras' study is a useful means of drawing attention to problems which can only be solved by schemes such as the large scale development programme to be carried out under our universal emblem.

The “Newsletter of the West Pakistan Red Cross” (Lahore, 1965) has published an article on “Family Planning” in West Pakistan. We reproduce it because it demonstrates that new fields of action are always open to our movement.

The Polish Red Cross has recently sent the ICRC the official translation of the Act which concerns it. In view of this legislative regulation's interest, we now reproduce its English version.

The Swiss Red Cross Central Committee has given its approval to new directives for general nursing schools recognized by the National Society and for maternity and child welfare nursing schools. These directives lay down the aims of the training period and its duration, which is unchanged at three years. They also affect the organization and teaching staff in the schools, the syllabi, reporting on students’ work and behaviour, examinations for graduation, and measures taken for safeguarding the health of candidates.

The Swiss Red Cross Central Committee has given its approval to new directives for general nursing schools recognized by the National Society and for maternity and child welfare nursing schools. These directives lay down the aims of the training period and its duration, which is unchanged at three years. They also affect the organization and teaching staff in the schools, the syllabi, reporting on students’ work and behaviour, examinations for graduation, and measures taken for safeguarding the health of candidates.

The International Review has referred on several occasions to an original work of humanity and which started, as we believe, on the initiative of the British Red Cross. This is a mobile picture library in hospitals, a Service known as the “Picture Library Scheme” and which is widespread in a number of countries. This therapy by art could throughout be seen to have excellent results and be of genuinely beneficial influence for the sick.