International Blue Cross

International Blue Cross
AbbreviationIBC
Founded1886 (Blue Cross movement founded in 1877)
TypeInternational non-governmental organization
Registration no.Registered in the Commercial Register of the Canton of Bern
HeadquartersLindenrain 5a, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
Websitehttps://internationalbluecross.org
Formerly called
International Federation of the Blue Cross (until 2016)

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).

IBC has held special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) since 2016.

History

The origins of the Blue Cross movement and thus of the international umbrella organization IBC go back to the 19th century. Alcohol problems were widespread in the society of that time. This prompted the Swiss pastor Louis-Lucien Rochat to get involved for those affected. Together with his colleagues, he tried to alleviate the suffering of alcohol-dependent people. His commitment led to the official founding of the Blue Cross on 21 September 1877 in Geneva.

Soon, the Blue Cross movement spread beyond the Swiss borders. This created the need to unite the individual groups under one international umbrella organization. That’s why the “Comité International” was founded in La Chaux-de-Fonds (Switzerland) in 1886 – and thus the International Blue Cross was born. Soon the movement not only crossed national borders but also spread beyond Europe: in 1906 the first non-European Blue Cross organization was founded in Africa, Ghana. Today, nearly 40 national organizations from Europe, Africa, Asia, and South America are part of the 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

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 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
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "About us". International Blue Cross. Retrieved 2026-10-04.
  3. 1 2 "United Nations Civil Society Participation, "International Blue Cross – Consultative Status". Records ECOSOC Special Consultative Status since 2016".
  4. ↑ "Historical Dictionary of Switzerland, "Abstinenzbewegung" (Rolf Trechsel, revised 21 January 2015). Independently confirms that Louis-Lucien Rochat founded the first Blue Cross society in Geneva in 1877".
  5. 1 2 "Zewo, "International Blue Cross". Lists legal form as association, founding year 1886, current Bern address and current certification information".
  6. 1 2 "United Nations Civil Society Participation, "International Blue Cross – General". Lists the former name International Federation of the Blue Cross and the headquarters address Lindenrain 5a, 3012 Bern, Switzerland".
  7. ↑ "Handelsregisteramt des Kantons Bern, official firm search. Search for "International Blue Cross" or UID CHE-427.916.945 to retrieve the current commercial-register entry".
  8. ↑ "International Blue Cross, audited Financial Statements 2022 (BDO). Notes state that IBC was founded in 1886 and registered in the Commercial Register of Bern on 15 March 2019, with its official address in Bern" (PDF).
  9. ↑ "] United Nations Civil Society Participation, "International Blue Cross – Activities". Describes the General Assembly, the four-year election cycle and the Network Committee as the governing body".
  10. ↑ "International Blue Cross, "National Blue Cross Organisations". Current list of member organizations; the page states Blue Cross is active in 35 countries and lists the member organizations by region".