Rene Sand (1877-1953)

Dr. Rene Sand became a social lighthouse for the guidance of those professionally engaged in medical or social work; he was above all a humanist, actively concerned with the society of his time.

He was born at Ixelles, Brussels, Belgium, on 30th January 1877 of Luxembourg and French blood, but had Belgian nationality. In 1900 he became doctor of medicine and as a doctor he brought together his concern for medical research, education, health and social protection. As Secretary General of the Red Cross in Belgium, he was one of the promoters of social work and it was on his initiative that the Belgian National Committee of Social Work was set up in 1948.

Dr. Sand took a very active part in the International Conference of Social Work (now International Council on Social Welfare), ICSW. The organisation later founded the Rene Sand prize in his memory. The prize is presented every two years to persons or organisations who, in their work for social development, have best contributed to the promotion of social welfare.

(From "Rene Sand and the Culture of Human Values" by Alain Anciaux, ICSW)

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page last updated on 06.01.2008