Jean Henri Dunant

We all know this organization - Red Cross, known for their acts of saving millions of people around the world.  But have you ever wondered who and why it was founded?  Jean Henri Dunant, was born in a religious, humanitarian, and civic-minded Geneva household in 1828.  Thus, he worked as a representative of the Young Men's Christian Association, traveling in France, Belgium, and Holland.  At the age of twenty-six, he entered the world  of business, that gave him a chance to travel to France, requesting for the water rights from Emperor Napoleon III.  There, he witnessed the battle of Solferino, "the chaotic disorder, despair unspeakable, and misery of every kind"(A Memory of Solferino) was the inspiration for him to change the world.  Therefore, this led to all his actions after on-by the will to save as much people as possible.  By being the founder of Red Cross is what that made Jean Henri Dunant a well known man, but also being selfless, enthusiastic man and having faith in peace is what made him a hero.

(https://www.icrc.org/eng/resources/documents/misc/ ())

Jean Henri Dunant is known for his selfless, not just saving lives at the battle front but contributed all he had for peace.  On June 24, 1859, During the Battle of Solferino, between the French and Austrians, he witnessed the "indescribably hideous" war while traveling to request for the water rights from Napoleon III.  Therefore, he aided soldiers from both sides at the Chiesa Maggiore church. When he came upon a group of Italian soldiers about to throw several wounded Austrian soldiers down the steps, he yelled "Stop! You must not! They are brothers!" "The Austrians were released, and Sono Fratelli was the name given to the relief effort."(Gale)  He not only prioritized saving soldiers rather than the water rights he needed for business, but also risked his life for the chance being shot by the Italians for the right of the Austrian soldier, he never knew.  In 1867, while he spent all his effort on humanitarian pursuits, his businesses were mismanaged, and the water rights weren't granted, he was in bankruptcy.  Although things weren't going right, he still continued to propose what he believed, as he founded the Provident Society and established in Britain and France to propose for rights of sick and wound prisoners of war.  When abandoned and friends, he still protest for the Jew that lost their homeland and against slavery as if he didn't care about them.

He was enthusiastic in peace and humanitarian actions, besides just writing books and criticize about war and slavery, he put his thoughts into action, founded numerous organizations and even hosted the Geneva Convention, which became an international treaty.  But this wasn't enough for him, he moved on and had Red Cross not only help during war time but also alleviate the hardships due to natural catastrophes in peace time.  In addition, he spent almost 5 decades continuously saving and helping the ones in need, even in his last request was to leave free bed for the poor in Heiden at the hospice, thus he does deserves our highest respect for his contributions.

(http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laure ())

He had faith in peace, which was the motivation for him to move on. In 1864, he had 12 countries signed the treaty which guaranteed the neutrality of relief workers of Red Cross.  Therefore, this well known organization - Red Cross was born. By that, he didn't just saved lives but also inspired other influential public figures, including Victor Hugo, Charles Dickens, and Florence Nightingale, therefore, it established its ability to influence the world.  Since then, he had the ability to change the world, his protests against slavery afterwards was strong enough that British and France revoked.  Thus, he did make his dream come true, believing not he can, but we can.

Jean Henri Dunant is worthy of a hero, for being selfless, enthusiastic and having faith in peace.  And if he could, so can we, to create a better world.