Our Mission is to prevent and reduce alcohol and other drugs use and their related harm, especially among the most vulnerable people and engage Blue Cross Organisations worldwide to promote this mission The Blue Cross Movement started in 1877, in Switzerland. The International umbrella organisation was founded in 1886, currently comprising 38 national Blue Cross organisations in Africa, Asia, Euro
pe and Latin America.
• The IBC network comprises expertise in tackling alcohol and other drug related health, social and development issues through advocacy, prevention, treatment and aftercare programmes. The IBC promotes this approach through a joint global voice and enables exchange and learning between Blue Cross Organisations around the world.
• The IBC implements international development and cooperation programmes in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. IBC has a consultative status at the UN ECOSOC. IBC is certified by Swiss ZEWO institute and applies principles of good governance. It is a member of the Swiss Development Cooperation Network. A set of 7 core values inspires the attitude and practice of Blue Cross members values : Love, Solidarity, Excellence, Respect, Empowerment, Inclusiveness, Good governance
Blue Cross workers are deeply connected to the communities they serve. They have an excellent understanding of the cultural, religious, and socio-economic forces that define these communities, which allows them to be aware of their real needs. Blue Cross organisation are involved in different project according to the needs of their community:
- 26% work in prevention (in schools, through extracurricular activities, based on Life Skills approach
- 26 % provide treatment and counselling services to people with addictions.
- 19% of national Blue Cross organisations are involved in aftercare. The focus is on self-help groups – an excellent and cost-efficient tool for relapse prevention. The Blue Cross network worldwide comprises more than 400 self-help groups!
- 15 % of national Blue Cross organisations advocate for evidence-based alcohol policies, which fall within the area of ‘structural prevention’.
- 14% of national Blue Cross organisations are involved in activities that do not fall within the four main categories, such as for example ‘Day Care Centres’ where people with addictions, whether they are sober or not, can drop in to spend a meaningful day.
