It is rare in the field of humanitarian action for anniversaries to be celebrated. Yet some achievements in history cannot fail to be remembered and serve as inspiration. The adoption of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, which remains the fundamental instrument for refugee protection, is one such achievement. On the occasion of its 50th anniversary, I would like to reiterate the ICRC's strong support for the 1951 Convention and the principles set out therein. I would also like to take the opportunity to commend the vital role played by UNHCR in providing help for refugees in so many places around the world.

Present-day international humanitarian law has grown from two main sources: the Law of Geneva, i.e. a body of rules which protect victims of war, and the Law of The Hague, i.e. those provisions which affect the conduct of hostilities. The author examines the different policies which are behind these two branches of international humanitarian law and traces their history up to the 1974-1977 Diplomatic Conference which, by adopting Additional Protocol I, brought about their convergence. While the ICRC undoubtedly gave rise to the Law of Geneva, its contribution to the development and implementation of the Hague Law has been less explicit. The author argues that any involvement in humanitarian law today implies a concern for both domains, which now are inseparable parts of modem international humanitarian law.

I am pleased to join the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross in introducing this special edition of the Review focusing on the 50th anniversaries of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and of the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees. This tribute has special significance for us at UNHCR, as we see the ICRC and the International Movement of the Red Cross and Red Crescent as among our closest partners on the humanitarian frontlines.

The ICRC's role and ability to help prevent the outbreak of armed conflict have always been a matter for concern and consideration. As early as 1863, in the debate which led to the foundation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, Gustave Moynier drew attention to the link between preventive action and assistance for victims of armed conflict. The notion of prevention has become rather broad, and the article spells out the different meanings given to it by scholars and practitioners. In addition, a wide range of practical methods and techniques have been worked out. The ICRC's role and possibilities will doubtless always be rather limited. However, since its Avenir project of 1997 to determine its future course of action, much thought has gone into identifying just what the ICRC can do to help prevent the outbreak of armed conflict. Moreover, with its humanitarian activities in armed conflict the ICRC may contribute to ending hostilities and reaching a settlement, and thereby prevent a resumption of conflict.

The first Nobel Peace Prize was awarded a century ago to Henry Dunant and Frédéric Passy, thus honouring two different aspects of the struggle against war: the endeavour to limit the suffering of war victims through humanitarian action, in particular the creation of the Red Cross; and the fight against war itself, or pacifism. The article traces the history of Dunant's candidacy and the uneasiness to which it gave rise in Geneva. Indeed, while recognizing the merits of Henry Dunant for promoting the idea of what subsequently became the Red Cross Movement, the ICRC with Gustave Moynier as its President considered that the International Committee itself should be a candidate for the Peace Prize. The attempt to put forward the institution (and not the person of Henry Dunant) failed, as did the candidacy of Moynier in the following year. The ICRC did, however, receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 1911, 1944 and, together with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, in 1963 (the centenary of the Red Cross).

Les milieux économiques exercent depuis longtemps une influence majeure sur l'évolution géopolitique mondiale. Aujourd'hui, la communauté internationale et les médias s'intéressent de plus près aux questions de responsabilité des entreprises privées, et depuis peu au rôle des acteurs économiques dans les conflits armés. En parallèle, de nombreuses compagnies se sont dotées de codes de conduite qui s'inspirent de normes reconnues au plan international, notamment dans le domaine du droit du travail et des droits de l'homme. Sur cette toile de fond, il s'agit de bien cerner les divers objectifs qui motivent le monde des affaires et les organisations humanitaires a établir des ponts entre eux.

Les compagnies privées sont amenées à engager du personnel de sécurité pour protéger leurs installations et leur personnel lorsqu'elles opèrent dans des zones instables. De ce fait se pose la question de la pertinence du droit international humanitaire dans le contexte d'activités économiques privées. Le CICR a décidé de mettre en œuvre une stratégic spécifique envers lesfirmes qui opèrent en zones conflictuelles, et ce dans le but d'améliorer sa capacité à protéger et assister les victimes de conflits armés. Cette stratégie comprend entre autres la promotion des principes humanitaires fondamentaux ainsi que l'établissement d'un dialogue sur le terrain visant à sensibiliser les acteurs économiques sur des préoccupations humanitaires spécifiques.