Tehran declaration- 8^th Middle East and North Africa Conference, 21-24 April 2013 We, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Zone, met in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran from 21 to 24 April 2013 on the occasion of the 8^th MENA Conference, hosted by the Red Crescent Society of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Under the overall theme of ÔÇ£Partnership for humanityÔÇØ┬á and after discussing and deliberating over issues of regional importance surrounding the themes of Enhancing Disaster Management and Risk Reduction, Strengthening the Role of Youth and Volunteers, and Promoting a Culture of Peace and Non Violence, we declare the following:

• We call upon all components of the Movement to take all possible measures to provide more effective humanitarian assistance to the affected people in the humanitarian crises in the region particularly in Syria, the neighbouring countries affected by the Syria crisis and Palestine , in coordination with the respective National Societies;
• We acknowledge and commend the valuable efforts of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent staff and volunteers in providing humanitarian assistance to affected people in line with the Fundamental principles.
• We take note of the recommendations made by the youth representatives through the Youth Declaration, annexed herein;
• We call upon all components of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement working in the MENA region to strengthen mutual cooperation with the goal of effectively addressing the needs of the most vulnerable people;
• We commit to support more regional cooperation and coordination through the available mechanisms of the Movement and the IFRC MENA zone office programs and activities;
• We agree to enhance the implementation of Strategy 2020 in the region particularly by increasing our information sharing through the Federation-wide Databank and Reporting System (FDRS), and we invite all MENA National Societies to work with the MENA zone office to advance this process in view of the next General Assembly in November 2013.
• We call upon all Movement components and external actors to take the necessary measures and steps through various ways and means including IHL to ensure the protection of relief workers and volunteers and staff, especially in armed conflicts as well as in disasters and crises.
• We express appreciation of the Movement wide initiative on the Fundamental Principles, in the run up to the celebration of their 50^th anniversary in 2015, and strongly encourage all National Societies, to pro-actively take part in the consultation process leading up to the Fundamental Principle workshop in the Council of Delegates and strongly urge all components of the Movement, to respect and adhere to the Fundamental Principles at all times, including within a Movement context the principle of unity;

Under the theme of Enhancing Disaster Management and Risk Reduction, we:

• Recognise the specific role of National Societies as auxiliaries to the public authorities in the humanitarian field in engaging and participating within national disaster management systems.
• Welcome efforts to strengthen the role and capacities of MENA National Societies in reducing risk and increasing community resilience including urban disasters. Strengthening resilience and enhancing community capacity and individualÔÇÖs skills and practices will help to restore and maintain sustainable livelihoods and economically-secure living conditions;
• Encourage ┬áthe International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)┬á to support National Societies to raise awareness and persuade decision-makers to develop┬á measures such as disaster laws to effectively facilitate international humanitarian relief in times of crises

Under the theme of Strengthening the Role of Youth and Volunteers, we:

• Commit to review and revise our National SocietyÔÇÖs rules, laws and procedures, where necessary, with the goal of granting youth and volunteers of a certain age the right to vote and become members of National SocietiesÔÇÖ decision makers in governance structures;
• Call upon all MENA Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to provide their volunteers with comprehensive and adequate insurance coverage while on duty;
• Recommend to conduct a study aimed at assessing and analysing the role of Red Cross and Red Crescent youth and volunteers in the MENA Zone, especially in light of the recent events in the region, and providing recommendations for strengthening their participation in MENA Red Cross and Red Crescent SocietiesÔÇÖ efforts to engage and assist local communities;

  Under the theme of Promoting a Culture of Peace and Non Violence, we:

• Recognise the expressed challenges National Societies are facing in this area, assess that our programmes are promoting a culture of Peace and Non Violence to reduce vulnerability and include this concept in our planning;
• Welcome international and regional initiatives including convening international peace conference in the Middle East and North Africa aimed at the promotion of culture of peace and non-violence.┬á Encourage the National Societies, IFRC and the ICRC to effectively use their capacities and means to promote peace, tolerance and friendship Encourage increased efforts aimed at bridging cultural divides and promoting cultures of non-violence and peace through peer-to-peer networking ┬ásuch YABC and exchange among MENA Red Cross and Red Crescent SocietiesÔÇÖ youth and volunteers and with youth and volunteers from outside the MENA region;
• Welcome initiatives aimed at strengthening the image, visibility and acceptance of MENA Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies within their local communities and their role in promoting non-discrimination and non-violence within the framework of the Fundamental Principles, utilising traditional and new media channels.

We thank the partner National Societies from other regions for participation at the Conference and for their valuable contribution; We express our appreciation and thanks to the leadership staff and volunteers of the Iranian Red Crescent for the excellent organization of the 8^th MENA Conference and for the warm hospitality extended to the Conference participants; ┬á Tehran, 24 April 2013