International Blue Cross (IBC) is an international, Christian value-based and politically independent non-governmental organization headquartered in Bern, Switzerland. It is the international umbrella organization of national Blue Cross organizations working in the fields of alcohol and other drug-related harm, addiction prevention, treatment, aftercare, advocacy and development cooperation.
The Blue Cross movement originated in Switzerland in 1877, while the international umbrella organization was founded in 1886. According to IBC's Strategy 2021-2028, it has member organizations in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America ( 37 member organizations in 2026).International Blue Cross, “Strategy 2021–2028”. Public strategy document. It states that the Blue Cross movement began in 1877, the international umbrella organization was founded in 1886, and the strategy then comprised 38 national organizations; it also sets out IBC’s mission, values and strategic focus. https://internationalbluecross.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Strategy_ENG.pdf 10.
IBC has held special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) since 2016.
History The Blue Cross movement was founded on 21 September 1877 in Geneva, Switzerland, by Swiss Protestant pastor Louis-Lucien Rochat and a group of supporters. The movement developed in response to the social and health problems associated with alcohol use in nineteenth-century Switzerland.
Blue Cross organizations subsequently developed outside Switzerland. An international umbrella organization was established in 1886, forming the basis of what is now International Blue Cross.
International Blue Cross was previously known as the International Federation of the Blue Cross.
Organization International Blue Cross serves as the umbrella organization for national Blue Cross organizations. Its secretariat is based at Lindenrain 5a, 3012 Bern, Switzerland.
IBC is registered as a Swiss association (Verein) in the Commercial Register of the Canton of Bern under commercial register number CH-036.6.077.065-5 and UID CHE-427.916.945. The register entry dates from 15 March 2019. This commercial-register date is a legal registration date and should not be confused with the organization’s 1886 founding date.
IBC describes itself as a Christian value-based and politically independent non-governmental organization. Its member organizations operate in their respective national contexts while participating in the international Blue Cross network.
Activities IBC works to prevent and reduce the use, abuse and dependency of alcohol and other drugs and their related harms, with particular emphasis on vulnerable populations. The IBC network works in areas including advocacy, prevention, treatment and aftercare. IBC also enables exchange and learning between Blue Cross organizations and represents the network through a joint global voice.
Prevention and support IBC's Strategy 2021-2028 identifies evidence-based prevention and intervention as a central area of work. Approaches identified in the strategy include life-skills-based prevention, mutual and self-help activities, community action and brief interventions.
National Blue Cross organizations provide different combinations of prevention, counselling, treatment, rehabilitation and aftercare according to their national contexts and organizational structures. You can find out more about their work via each country’s contact: https://internationalbluecross.org/about/national-organisations/
Advocacy and development cooperation IBC engages in advocacy concerning alcohol and other drug-related health and social issues and participates in international networks concerned with these subjects.
The organization also implements international development and cooperation programmes with local partners. Its strategy links this work to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including Goal 3.5 on prevention and treatment of substance abuse, as well as targets relating to education, gender equality and inclusive institutions.
Values and approach IBC describes its work as based on Christian values while providing services without discrimination on religious or other grounds. Its stated organizational values are love, solidarity, excellence, respect, empowerment, inclusiveness and good governance.
The organization promotes a holistic approach to health and well-being that takes physical, mental, social and spiritual dimensions into account, and describes its professional approach as combining evidence-based practice with experiential learning and scientific knowledge.
United Nations status International Blue Cross has held special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) since 2016.
See also Temperance movement Alcohol-related harm Substance abuse prevention Addiction
References
External links