The Red Cross Examines Children and War

The American Red Cross invites the public to join in observing "World Red Cross Day" with a viewing of the documentary Valentina's Nightmare, followed by a panel discussion on children and war.

Children and War will be presented from 2 to 4 p.m. Monday, May 8, at the Ethnic Cultural Center, 3931 Brooklyn Ave. N.E.

Valentina's Nightmare is the story of a 13-year-old girl who survived the 1994 massacre of 800,000 Tutsis by the Hutu majority in Rwanda.

The panel discussion, about the efforts of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and their worldwide advocacy for the relief of human suffering, will be led by Bruce Kochis. Kochis is the assistant professor of policy studies and director of the Human Rights Education and Research Network at the University of Washington.

"World Red Cross Day presents a great opportunity to learn about the international efforts of the Red Cross," said Paulina Lopez, the organization's International Services Program manager. "The Red Cross movement is committed to the protection and assistance to child victims of armed conflicts."

The event is sponsored by the American Red Cross Serving King & Kitsap Counties, the University of Washington-Comparative History of Ideas and the Human Rights Education Network.

For more information, call 206-726-3554 or visit www.seattleredcross.org.

On World Red Cross Day, the 868 American Red Cross chapters and over 1 million volunteers around the country will salute the ongoing work of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

This worldwide federation — currently in 181 countries and around the globe — responds wherever in the world natural and man-made disasters occur, delivering free emergency food, clothing and shelter and a wide range of other services to people in need.