In the July issue of the Review we recalled that the International Committee, in co-operation with the League, had organised an Arab language competition and we gave the results. This competition, which took place under the auspices of the ICRC radio broadcasts, was a great success. The first prizewinner (who comes from Jerusalem, Jordan) chose as his subject “The Red Cross as an important factor in closer relations between people”, and we think it will be of interest to publish extracts of his essay, which has been translated by the ICRC. This is followed by part of the essay by the 3rd prize-wiitner (from Gaza, U.A.R.), who chose to write on “Experiences or stories connected with the idea of the Red Crescent and the Red Cross”, and did so in the simple and moving manner which this theme required.

The “Courrier” of the International Children's Centre, has recently published a work on a very topical subject, which is of special concern to Red Cross workers in various countries : an effective health education involves a conscientious awareness of their fundamental problems by those whom one wishes to help. How can this be achieved?

An account of the moving ceremonies which in many countries marked the awarding of the Florence Nightingale medal appeared in the May 1962 issue of the International Review. Since then news reached Geneva from the National Societies describing this event, which it had not therefore been possible to include in the article on that subject. We now have pleasure in including this information, since our readers will realize the importance of this event in the Red Cross world and will thus have a complete picture of the eighteenth award:

At a time when Algeria has achieved independence and although the activity of the ICRC is continuing in that country, we consider it to be useful to give a brief account of the International Committee's humanitarian activities carried out in that country from January 1955 to July 1, 1962.

The International Review has already had occasion to mention the successive stages of the mission which left Geneva at the beginning of February 1962 to visit several countries and territories in Equatorial and Central Africa. This was entrusted by the International Committee to Mr. Samuel Gonard, Vice-President, who was accompanied by Mr. Georges Hoffmann, delegate, for a long time in the service of the ICRC.

Mr. G. C. Senn, delegate of the International Committee of the Red Cross recently visited the central prison of Stanleyville, chief town of the Orientale Province of the Congo (formerly Belgian). At the time of the visit there were a total of 800 prisoners amongst whom numbered one hundred Katanga gendarmes captured by the National Congolese Army. There were in addition some thirty Congolese political detainees, the remainder being prisoners of common law. On this occasion Mr. Senn was given considerable facilities by the local authorities and especially by General Lundula, Commander of the Congolese forces stationed in Orientale Province. He received the nominal roll of the Katanga detainees which he transmitted to the military authorities of Elisabethville, which in turn informed the families concerned. He is awaiting replies from the latter which he will pass on to the prisoners.