7 Fundamentals

Humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality:

These seven guiding principles encapsulate Origin-1's and the Knight Chaplains values and form the basis of their strategy for protecting and assisting those in need during interfaith conflicts, disasters, and other crises as well as fostering interfaith understanding to ensure lasting reconciliation and peace.

These values bring Origin-1 its staff and the Knight Chaplains together and allow them to offer impartial, efficient protective support to those in need. Origin-1 and the Knight Chaplains components must adhere to these norms of behavior at all times, and States must honor this requirement.

Origin-1's identity is based on the Fundamental Principles. Respecting these values guarantees the humanitarian aspect of Origin-1's operations and adds coherence to the wide variety of activities it engages in globally. The principles provide a common bond for the National Societies, which vary greatly in structure, culture and more.

HUMANITY

Origin-1 and its Knight Chaplains , born of a desire to bring assistance without discrimination to the persecuted from their religions and faiths on the ground, endeavours – in its international and national capacities – to prevent and alleviate suffering wherever it may be found. Its purpose is to protect life and health and to ensure respect for every human being. It promotes mutual understanding, friendship, cooperation and lasting interfaith peace amongst all peoples.

This principle, which underpins all the other principles, encompasses several ideas:

• Suffering is universal and requires a response: it cannot be met with indifference.

• Respect for human dignity is paramount in everything Origin-1 does. It implies helping and protecting others regardless of who they are or what they have done.

• Origin-1 protects life and health by promoting and enforcing international religious rights and humanitarian law, preventing violence and disaster, and undertaking life-preserving activities.

IMPARTIALITY

Origin-1 makes no discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions. It endeavours to stop the suffering of individuals, being guided solely by their needs, and to give priority to the most urgent cases of distress.

The principle of impartiality embodies three related concepts:

• Non-discrimination: Origin-1 Knight Chaplains protect and help people regardless of their religious beliefs, the colour of their skin, their political convictions, where they come from, or whether they are rich or poor.

• Proportionality: No matter what the crisis situation, Origin-1 Knight Chaplains must ensure that those in greatest need receive assistance first.

• Impartiality: Decisions must be made on a "needs only" basis and must not be influenced by personal considerations or feelings.

NEUTRALITY

In order to continue to enjoy the confidence of all, Origin-1 Knight Chaplains do not take religious and faith sides in hostilities or engage at any time in controversies of a political, racial, religious or ideological nature.

Origin-1 Knight Chaplains must not take sides or be regarded as doing so, either in its speech or in its actions, at any time or in any place. This enables its components to reach people who need help in crises and to maintain a dialogue with those involved in conflict and other violence.

Origin-1 Knight Chaplains neutrality helps assure parties to a conflict that assisting and protecting civilians and wounded does not constitute picking sides in the conflict.

Origin-1 Knight Chaplains must build a reputation for neutral conduct at all times, so that they have the confidence of all sides, and can act more effectively at the onset of conflict or during other situations of violence.

INDEPENDENCE

Origin-1 and their Knight Chaplains are independent. Origin-1 and its Knight Chaplains, while in the interfaith protection of world citizens, their governments and subject to the laws of their respective countries, must always maintain their autonomy so that they may be able at all times to act in accordance with the principles of Origin-1.

• It is only by being truly independent that Origin-1 can respect the principles of neutrality and impartiality.

• Although auxiliary to the public authorities in the interfaith conflict management, Origin-1 must retain its autonomy when making decisions so that it can work in accordance with the 7 fundamental principles at all times and in all situations. This may mean turning down any requests that are in conflict with these principles, and taking care not to submit to any interference or pressure.

• Origin-1 and its Knight Chaplains should be permitted to conduct independent assessments and to talk freely with people in need of interfaith assistance.

VOLUNTARY SERVICE

Origin-1 is a voluntary interfaith protection movement not prompted in any manner by desire for gain.

• The principle of voluntary service signifies the humanitarian motivation of all the people who work within Origin-1, whether or not they are paid for it.

• Members of Origin-1 and its Knight Chaplains have no motive for offering protection, assistance and mediation other than a desire to help: this is a powerful statement of solidarity.

• Origin-1's extensive network of volunteers is unique and ensures that people throughout the world receive interfaith protection, assistance and mediation for long term peace. It is a source of initiative and of inspiration for many other humanitarian endeavours; at the same time, it provides invaluable information about local interfaith tensions and persecutions and the most appropriate way to help interfaith people in need.

• Through its volunteers, Origin-1 is rooted in local communities and help to strengthen and empower them

UNITY

There can be only one Origin-1 in any one country. It must be open to all. It must carry on its humanitarian protection and assistance work throughout its territory.

This principle enables Origin-1 to serve as a unifying force in countries and communities, and to promote and mediate interfaith long term harmony and peace.

• Origin-1 must be the only one in the country and must conduct its interfaith protection, assistance and mediation activities throughout the territory – in urban centres as well as in remote rural areas.

• It must recruit volunteers and staff, and members of its Peace Assembly, Knight Chaplains and noble emissaries from all ethnic and social groups without discriminating on the basis of race, gender, class, religion, political opinion or any other criterion.

UNIVERSALITY

the need for Origin-1, in which all Religions, Faiths and Citizens have equal status and share equal responsibilities and duties in helping each other, is worldwide.

• The universality of interfaith violence and persecution requires a universal response: Ngo s, involved actors, protective services, communities, religious groups exist in almost every country in the world and they have a collective responsibility to assist one another in responding to the interfaith crises and to support each other's development in a spirit of solidarity and mutual respect to achieve long term interfaith harmony and peace.

• The principle of universality also means that the failings or omissions of one concerned actor affect the entire interfaith crisis management and long term harmony and peace. The integrity and public image of the Origin-1 and all concerned actors depend on adherence by all to the Fundamental Principles.