1863: A Small Committee Begins a New Chapter in Care
Henry Dunant's call for better care helped bring five people together in Geneva.
Estimated CEFR reading level: A2. Short sentences, familiar patterns and concrete explanations support the A2 estimate. This is an editorial estimate, not an official certification.
Five useful words
British English pronunciation (IPA). Audio uses an available English voice on your device.
committee /kəˈmɪti/
nounA group chosen to work on a particular matter.
The committee met to discuss a plan.
wounded /ˈwuːndɪd/
adjectiveHurt by an injury, especially in fighting.
The volunteers helped wounded people.
care /keə/
nounHelp given to someone who needs it.
The team provided care for injured people.
treaty /ˈtriːti/
nounA formal agreement between countries.
The governments agreed to a treaty.
movement /ˈmuːvmənt/
nounPeople working together for a shared aim.
The movement grew beyond one country.
The story
In February 1863, five people met in Geneva, Switzerland. Their committee became the International Committee of the Red Cross. Henry Dunant was one of its members.
The year before, Dunant had published a book about the suffering of wounded soldiers. He wanted better care for people hurt in war. The group worked to turn this idea into organised help.
In 1864, governments agreed to the first Geneva Convention. It called for care for wounded soldiers from either side. A person's need for help mattered, whatever army they belonged to.
The committee and the treaty were different steps. One brought people together to work; the other created agreed rules. This small beginning helped develop an international movement for humanitarian care.
A short timeline
- 1862
Dunant publishes A Memory of Solferino.
- February 1863
The five-member committee meets in Geneva.
- 1864
Governments adopt the first Geneva Convention.
Three questions
Try answering before you open the answer. You can use your own words.
- Where did the committee meet?
Show answer
In Geneva, Switzerland.
- What did Dunant want for wounded soldiers?
Show answer
Better care for people hurt in war.
- Were the committee and the treaty the same step?
Show answer
No. The committee began in 1863; the first Geneva Convention followed in 1864.
Let's talk about it
A few ideas to chat about - pick any that interest you.
- Have you ever helped organise a small group?
- Who helps people in your community?
- What makes a good volunteer?
- Would you enjoy learning more about the history of a local charity?
- What small idea would you like to turn into action?
Practise a useful pattern
Use the year before to connect two past events. Write two short sentences about events in different years.
Example: The club opened in 2020. The year before, neighbours had started planning it.
Frequently asked questions
When did the committee that became the ICRC first meet?
It first met in Geneva in February 1863.
Was the first Geneva Convention adopted in 1863?
No. Governments adopted it in 1864.
Sources and editorial notes
Original learning article by Poly-Puff, written from the factual sources below. Sources checked on 21 October 2026. The artwork and learning activities were created for this article.
The lesson separates the committee's founding from the later treaty and does not suggest that all modern humanitarian rules existed in 1864. It uses February rather than an exact founding day because historical summaries distinguish different preparatory meetings.
