For more information on welcome and registration, please refer to Practical Information (europa.eu).
The Forum will be officially opened by high-level representatives from the European Commission, the French Presidency of the Council of the EU, and other key stakeholders, who will provide their initial and complementary insights about the EU’s ambitions for the Forum.
This high-level opening ceremony will pave the way for an engaging and fruitful Forum.
Speakers
- Janez Lenarčič, European Commissioner for Crisis Response
- Ramesh Rajasingham, Assistant Secretary General - Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator at United Nations OCHA
- Dominic Crowley, President of Voluntary Organisations in Cooperation in Emergencies (VOICE)
- Juan Carlos Viloria Doria, Medical doctor and Vice President of the Venezuelan Association in Barranquilla (Colombia)
- Mariam Touré, Advocacy Manager with Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)
- Eman Ismail, Middle East and Northern Africa Regional Representative for the International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA)
- Sumaiya Kabir, Consortium Coordinator for the SUFAL project, CARE Bangladesh
- Smruti Patel, Founder and Co-Director of Global Mentoring Initiative
Moderator
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change.
This session will focus on the impact of sanctions on humanitarian aid and discuss in particular the issue of bank de-risking.
It will promote a multi-disciplinary approach, focus on best practices and a way forward, by bringing together participants from the humanitarian sector, the banking sector, representatives from Member States, international bodies, regulators and donors.
Speakers
- Aurélien Daunay, Vice-CEO Finance, Innovation & Investment at ACTED
- Eva Svoboda, Deputy Director of International Law and Policy at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
- Martin Vogt, Head of Global Sanctions and Embargos at Deutsche Bank
- Amandine Scherrer, Policy Expert with the European Banking Authority
- Jeroen Romeijn, Policy Officer, Humanitarian Aid Division with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Netherlands
Moderator
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change.
This session will investigate how early and sustained action can prevent, mitigate and respond to gender-based violence and how action can be at the heart of humanitarian response, as a main responsibility to protect people.
It will also focus on what concrete actions and tangible impacts can intensify engagement on the ground and strengthen the humanitarian community strategic commitment.
Speakers
- Flemming Moller Mortensen, Minister for Development, Denmark
- Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Executive Director of the World Health Organization (WHO)
- Pramila Patten, United Nations Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict and Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations
- Paul O’Brien, Chair of the European Board and the National Director of Plan International Ireland
- Sofia Sphrechmann Sineiro, Secretary General of CARE International
- Elizabeth Campbell, Deputy Assistant Secretary at United States Bureau of Population, Migration and Refugees
- Mairi Macrae, Senior Advisor at Women of colour in Emergencies (WECIE)
- Shoko Arakaki, Director of the Humanitarian Office in the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
Moderator
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change.
This session will look at the importance of engaging with non-state armed groups in humanitarian contexts, in order to ensure access to vulnerable communities living under their control and the provision of humanitarian aid in these settings.
It will focus on concrete field perspectives (e.g. Sahel, Nigeria, Myanmar, Yemen) to identify the challenges and opportunities of engaging with these groups in order to better protect civilian populations impacted by conflicts and support compliance with International Humanitarian Law.
Speakers
- Alain Délétroz, Director General of Geneva Call
- Michael Ryan, Executive Director, WHO Health Emergencies Programme
- Andreas Papaconstantinou, Director for Neighbourhood and Middle East at European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, European Union
- Patrick Youssef, Regional Director for Africa of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
- Gloria Gaggioli, Director at Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights
- Oussama Chourbagi, General Manager at AFAQ NGO
- Mariam Touré, Advocacy Manager at Norweigan Refugee Council
Moderator
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change.
12:30-13:30
Facilitated by France, French Red Cross, CNDH
This session will focus on the French Red Cross and MFA experience to build together with humanitarian actors an IHL training plan directed to the public and the private sector, including to the armed forces and the defense industry. Capitalizing on this previous experience will allow European member States exploring how to work together with European National Societies and IHL Commissions’ networks to duplicate a training plan on IHL dissemination. One of the final objectives will be to reinforce European diplomats and political representatives’ knowledge and expertise in IHL to better fulfill their international obligations (including based on art. 1 GC and IC Resolution).
Speakers:
- Coline Beytout-Lamarque, CR française
- Frédéric Casier, Legal Adviser in International Humanitarian Law, Belgian Red Cross
- Rudolph Stamminger, Armée de l'air française
- Cécile Riou-Batista, Deputy Secretary-General of the CNCDH
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change
12:30-13:30
Facilitated by ICRC, Humanity and Inclusion, International Network on Explosive Weapons (INEW)
When war takes place in cities, ensuring respect for IHL, the protection of civilians and the delivery of humanitarian assistance raises complex challenges.
IHL imposes limits on the choice of means and methods of warfare and prohibits indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks, protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure against unnecessary and unacceptable harm and destruction. Nonetheless, towns, cities and other populated areas in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Yemen and Ukraine - among many other countries face devastating humanitarian consequences, notably due to the impact of the use of explosive weapons. The damage caused to critical infrastructure often leads to the disruption of essential service provision and put people’s lives at risk, notably due to unexploded ordnance. Direct, indirect, and reverberating effects can be experienced for days, weeks and years after hostilities end.
This humanitarian talk will focus on better understanding the humanitarian consequences and the IHL issues arising from the increasing urbanization of conflict, while discussing pragmatic ways to address these challenges.
Speakers:
- Eirini Giorgou, Legal Adviser, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
- Laura Boillot, Programme Manager, Article 36 and Coordinator, International Network on Explosive Weapons - INEW
- Anne Héry, Director of Advocacy and Institutional Relations, Humanity & Inclusion
Moderator:
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change
12:00-13:00
Facilitated by Camões – Cooperation and Language Institute/ Global Platform for Higher Education in Emergencies in cooperation with the Union for the Mediterranean
In the New York Declaration, adopted in 2016, all the UN member States committed to “promote tertiary education (…), recognizing that “ in conflict and crisis situations, higher education serves as a powerful driver for change, shelters and protects a critical group of young men and women by maintaining their hope for the future, fosters inclusion and non-discrimination and acts as a catalyst for the recovery and rebuilding of post-conflict countries”.
More than five years latter what has been done to deliver on this promise? Where are we in this regard? This panel will explore opportunities and challenges ahead to reach the “15#30”target set by UNHCR aimed at ensuring that by 2030 15 percent of refugees will accede to higher education at a time when a new major humanitarian crisis is hitting thousands of students fleeing the war.
In this session, panellists will address in particular the case study of setting up a Rapid Response Mechanism for Higher Education in Emergencies (RRM) in the Euro-Mediterranean region. Be part of the solutions, join our discussions and our efforts. Together we can make it happen!
Speakers:
- Manal Stulgaitis (UNHCR)
- Margarida Marques (former Secretary of State for European Affairs and Member of the EU Parliament, Portugal)
- Ariadna Bardolet (Fundacion La Caixa, Spain)
- Annick Suzor Weiner, (Agence Universitaire pour la Francophonie)
- Ambassador Moraes Cabral, (Special Envoy for Higher Education in Emergencies)
- Helena Barroco (Global Platform)
- Dália Sendra (Global Platform)
- João Lobo (Project Analyst – Higher Education and Research, Union for the Mediterranean)
- Marcelo Scalisi (President of the UNIMED)
- Walaa (student)
- Mohamad (student)
- Ibraheem (student)
- Arwa (civil engineer, alumna)
Moderator:
- Isabel Marques da Silva
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change
12:00-13:00
Facilitated by Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Heritage Management Organization
This session will highlight the private sector’s contribution, in close collaboration with the public sector, in the protection, preservation and strengthening of the local identity and culture, during the phases of emergency preparedness and relief, as well as the reconstruction efforts in crisis zones, achieving inclusiveness, safety, resilience and sustainability.
Speakers:
- Nikos Dendias, Hellenic Minister of Foreign Affairs
- Artemis Papathanassiou, Senior Legal Adviser at the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Valéry Freland, Executive Director, ALIPH Foundation
- Isber Sabrine, Chair and co-founder of the international NGO Heritage for Peace, Leader of the Abuab Initiative, Director of the Arab Network of Civil Society Organizations to Safeguard Cultural Heritage (ANSCH)
- René Teijgeler, Co-founder of the international NGO Heritage for Peace
- Sanne Letschert, Head of Cultural Emergency Response, Prince Claus Fund
- Péter Kovács-Pifka, CEO, Hungary Helps Agency
Moderator:
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change
12:00-13:00
Facilitated by the German Federal Foreign Office and International Organization for Migration
Recent innovations in data analysis and modeling allow humanitarians to better anticipate to emerging crises and acting as early as possible before they strike. This talk will provide an exclusive insight in what different actors are doing to innovate and put new data and analysis techniques and models into practice globally. It will provide an opportunity to discuss how collectively we can build a stronger network to further foster progress and synergies to the Anticipatory Action Analytics efforts.
Speakers:
- Justin Ginnetti, Sr. Officer for information management and risk analysis at International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
- Muhammad Rizki, Senior DTM Coordination Manager for the Global DTM Support Team within IOM’s Global Data Institute (GDI)
- Leonardo Milano, Predictive Analytics Team Leader at the United Nations OCHA Centre for Humanitarian Data
12:00-13:00
Facilitated by VOICE, Egmont Institute and NRC
This event will explore how the EU, as the largest contributor of humanitarian, development and peace-making globally, can set up an independent and collaborative process to address some of the key challenges the humanitarian sector is confronted to. Such a process, building upon a dialogue involving humanitarians and other stakeholders, should consolidate the EU leadership in innovative policy making in support of principled humanitarian action and viable nexus solutions.
Speakers:
- Michael KÖHLER, Deputy Director-General at Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO)
- Stéphane ROMATET, Director of Centre de Crise et de Soutien, French ministry of Foreign affairs
- Sandra KRAMER, Deputy Director-General, DG International Partnerships
- Edouard RODIER, Director at Norwegian Refugee Council, (NRC)
Moderator:
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change
12:30-13:30
Facilitated by Geneva Global Hub for Education in Emergencies
With no or inadequate access to education, the most at-risk children and young people face augmented threats. These include challenges related to mental health, child marriage, being forced into child labour to support themselves and their families and becoming associated with armed groups and gangs. International Humanitarian Law includes provisions to protect against these threats, and it is essential that children and young people are afforded the resources they need to protect themselves. The best way to do so is to ensure this is closely integrated into contextually appropriate, safe, quality educational programmes for vulnerable children and youth. In short, education and child protection are intrinsically linked. The global COVID-19 crisis has put vulnerable children and young people at even greater risk, and in this context the need for strong collaboration between the education and child protection sectors is even higher. The humanitarian talk will allow participants to learn and discuss the latest about the progress of education in emergencies and child protection work, in terms of both programming and coordination as well as which areas require more investment.
The panel discussion will be followed by an interactive Q&A discussion. Find out more on this webpage.
Speakers
- Ambassador Felix Baumann, Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the UN (Opening remarks))
- Henry Renna Gallano, Education Cluster Coordinator, Venezuela
- Lucy Mbarago, Field Officer in Yambio, UNICEF South Sudan
- Mariana Arnautu, Senior Expert Educational and Child Protection Programs, World Vision Romania Foundation
- Dieuwerke Luiten, Global Grant Manager, Porticus
- Mark Chapple, Head of Education, ICRC (Closing remarks)
Moderator
- Petra Heusser, Coordinator of the Geneva Global Hub for EiE
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change
13:00-14:00
Facilitated by the Danish Red Cross
In 2018, the International Committee of the Red Cross, Novo Nordisk and the Danish Red Cross formed a partnership– Partnering for Change - united around the vision that all people affected by humanitarian crises should have access to the care for non-communicable diseases they need. Speakers will share perspectives and lessons learned from working in a cross-sectoral partnership and on how to leverage capacities across humanitarian/development organisations and the private sector, with very different backgrounds, areas of intervention and objectives.
Speakers:
- Christina Hooson, Director, FSG
- Mia Bülow-Olsen, Global Access to Care Lead, Novo Nordisk
- Signe Yde-Andersen, Head of International Programmes and Operations, Danish Red Cross
- Yaseen Al Mamori, President, Iraqi Red Crescent
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change
13:00-14:00
Facilitated by UNHCR and UNDP
This session will discuss efforts by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in jointly supporting countries to advance nationally owned solutions for internally displaced persons.
This session will highlight concrete examples from recent efforts in several internal displacement contexts, demonstrating the opportunities and the challenges in advancing IDP solutions through humanitarian-peace-development collaboration. It will present the efforts made to further local capacity building, localised financing models, new and innovative partnerships, and the promotion of women-led organisations, in line with the OECD DAC recommendations on the HDP nexus. This session will identify concrete recommendations on how to advance the localisation agenda through accelerating nationally owned solutions and expanding the resource base through complementary international-regional-national financing, based on reflections and lessons learned from the perspective of national partners including from governments, civil society and the private sector.
Speakers:
- Abdel Rahman El Mahdi, Managing Director, Sudanese Dev. Initiative (SUDIA)
- Ramón Alberto Rodríguez Andrade, Director General of the Unit for Victims
- Raad al Abassi, Assistant-Governor for Reconstruction in Ninewa Governorate, Iraq
Moderator:
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change
13:00-14:00
Facilitated by Gain and Nutriset, with the participation of local responders from Nigeria, Sudan, Malawi, and Ghana.
This session will focus on the role and impact of local responders, and specifically local RUF producers in fragile contexts where acute and chronic malnutrition is prevalent. It will also focus on the challenges these actors face including practices and regulatory constraints, despite the Grand Bargain commitments on localisation and the need for food systems transformation.
Speakers:
- Mark Manary, Executive Director, Project Peanut Butter
- Eman Abdalkarim, Business Development Manager, Samil Industrial Co
- Adboulkader Yonli, General Manager, NutriK
Moderator:
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change
13:00-14:00
Facilitated by DG ECHO
Delivering humanitarian assistance beyond the ‘expiry date’ risk to create dependencies, and negatively affect people’s self-initiative. Using Libya as a case study, where the acute crisis is over but development programming has not yet kicked in, we propose a discussion on when is the right time to exit from a humanitarian crisis, and the funding instruments required for a successful transition to more development-oriented programming.
Speakers
- Avril Elliot, Libya Country Director at DRC
- Gemma Sanmartin, Deputy Head of UN OCHA Libya
- Jean-Nicolas Marti, Head of Libya Delegation, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
Moderator
This session will focus on the need for an effective nexus approach to famine and food insecurity, drawing on concrete cases and best practices, including the concrete guidance that the EU has produced to strengthen the nexus approach in the field.
It will explore how operational links can be strengthened between humanitarian, development and peace actors, and how political engagement can be leveraged in support of humanitarian operations, especially for the “peace” element of the nexus.
Speakers
- Meryame Kitir, Minister for Development Cooperation, Belgium
- Karin Hulshof, UNICEF Deputy Executive Director
- Qu Dongyu, Director General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
- Sofía Sprechmann, Secretary General of CARE International
- Axel van Trotsenburg, World Bank Managing Director Operations
Moderator
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change.
This session will focus on the EU’s approach to displacement in relation to disasters and climate change. It will build on the March 2021 Communication on the EU's Humanitarian Action and explain how humanitarian action, along with development aid and disaster risk reduction, can better address the issue in a comprehensive manner.
It will bring together the EU and partners to discuss how to strengthen the response before, during and after displacement occurs.
Speakers
- Paraskevi Michou, Director-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO)
- Martin Seychell, Deputy Director-General for International Partnerships
- António Vitorino, Director General of International Organization for Migration (IOM
- Caroline Roose, Member of the European Parliament
- Atle Solberg, Head of the Secretariat of the Platform on Disaster Displacement
- Andrew Harper , Special Advisor on Climate Action to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNCHR) on Climate Action
- Runa Khan, Founder and Executive Director of the NGO Friendship
- Cristina, Young Leader, Mozambique (participation facilitated by World Vision)
Moderator
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change.
The number of countries listed by the European Commission as ‘high risk’ has increased relatively steadily over the last years – they are 83 countries in the list as of today, against 45 in June 2012.
The aim of this session will be to discuss how security-risk management can be included in the planning and programming phases of humanitarian donors and partners as well as in the implementation of humanitarian operations.
It will also focus on the roles and responsibilities of donors, humanitarian actors and leaders to improve safety of humanitarian personnel.
Speakers
- Manuel Patrouillard, Global Managing Director, Humanity & Inclusion
- Heather Hughes, Acting Executive Director of the Global Interagency Security Forum (GISF)
- Camille Gillardeau, Regional Director of Security and Safety of International Rescue Committee (IRC)
Moderator
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change.
Climate change is a direct and existential threat to humanity and our planet; yet more needs to be done on global climate action, particularly in already vulnerable settings. By 2050, over 200 million people could need humanitarian assistance as a result of climate-related disasters and the socioeconomic impact of climate change.
This session will take stock of current and expected climate change impact on humanitarian needs and humanitarian aid operations. It will call to step up efforts to reduce the humanitarian impact of climate change notably through joint initiatives on increased preparedness, risk-informed approaches, anticipatory action and climate resilience of those most at risk.
Speakers
- Paraskevi Michou, Director-General for European Civil Protection and Humaniatrian Aid Operations, European Union
- Stéphane Romatet, Director of the Crisis Center of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, France
- Martin Griffiths, United Nations Under-Secretary-General For Humanitarian Affairs And Emergency Relief Coordinator
- Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
- Catherine Chabaud, French journalist and Member of European Parliament
- Xavier Castellanos Mosquera, Under-Secretary-General of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
- Aïssatou Diouf, International Policy and Advocacy Officer with Enda Energie NGO
Moderator
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change.
In complex environments, humanitarian leaders (UN, Red Cross/Crescent, INGOs, local NGOs) often face the important and challenging task of building coalitions and trust between different constituencies.
Humanitarian leadership teams which have a shared analysis of the dynamics on the ground, including a stakeholder analysis, are better prepared to design the required response.
This session will inspire ‘thought leadership’ for a global conversation to promote collaborative and effective cooperation frameworks.
It will highlight the need to invest in leadership development throughout the humanitarian sector to build trust among key stakeholders and thereby increase effectiveness in humanitarian operations.
Speakers
- Charlotte Slente, Secretary General of Danish Refugee Council (DRC)
- Najat Rochdi, UN Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon
- Nena Stoiljkovic, Under-Secretary-General Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalisation International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
- Volker Türk, Under-Secretary-General for Policy, Executive Office of the Secretary-General
- Giovanni Varela, Director of PALUZ
- Dr. Ghada El Jadba, Field Health Programme Chief of UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA)
Moderator
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change.
An effective dialogue and interaction between humanitarian/civilian and military/security actors is the prerequisite for successfully tackling challenges in response to conflicts and natural disasters.
This session will focus on exchanging best practices among humanitarian, peace, security and military actors in terms of promoting the respect of and compliance with International Humanitarian Law, as well as exploring ways of further mainstreaming the protection of civilians in all related contexts.
Speakers
- Stefano Tomat, Director of Integrated Approach for Security and Peace at European External Action Service (EEAS)
- Helen Durham, Director of International Law & Policy at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
- Bediako Buahene, OCHA Chief of Civil Military Coordination Service
- Bart Laurent, Director Of Operations - EU Military Staff at European External Action Service (EEAS)
- Brice De Schietere, Head of Division at the European External Action Service (EEAS)
- Anthony Cardon de Lichtbuer, Chief of the Peace Mission Support Section in the New York Office of the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN-OHCHR)
- Beatrice Godefroy, Europe Director at Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC)
- Tidiane Fall, Regional officer for humanitarian-military interaction with World Food Programme (WFP)
Moderator
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change.
Violations of international humanitarian law (IHL) happen in many armed conflicts and often constitute strategic methods of warfare. Such violations have grave consequences for civilians, in particular on medical and humanitarian personnel and for humanitarian access.
While initiatives exist to monitor incidents that could amount to violations of IHL, the available data and analysis is often partial, scattered and lacks a global overview. In addition, despite the available tools at both national and international level, few perpetrators of war crimes face accountability for their actions.
This session will focus on how to strengthen the EU’s tools to ensure the promotion of compliance with IHL, the monitoring of IHL violations in the world, and the related issue of accountability of perpetrators of war crimes.
Speakers
- Janez Lenarčič, European Commissioner for Crisis Response
- Jean-Yves Le Drian, French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs
- Ilze Brands Kehris, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights
- Robert Mardini, Director General of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
- Jan Egeland, Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)
- Maria Arena, Chair of the European Parliament’s Sub-committee on Human Rights
- Gloria Gaggioli, Director Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights
Ministerial interventions from the floor
- Martin Griffiths, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator
- Annalena Baerbock, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, Germany
- José Manuel Albares Bueno, Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, Spain
- Pekka Haavisto, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Finland
- Eva-Maria Liimets, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Estonia
- Luigi Di Maio, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Italy
- Ioannis Kasoulides, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cyprus
- Jean Asselborn, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Luxembourg
- Zbigniew Rau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Poland
- Eamon Gilmore, EU Special Representative for Human Rights
- Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
- Andreas Katsaniotis, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Greece
- Daniela Gitman, Secretary of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Romania
- Gašper Dovžan, Secretary of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia
- Đorđe Radulović, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Montenegro
- H.E. Cessouma Minata Samate, H.E. Cessouma Minata Samate
Moderator
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change.
Including local and national actors in an empowering manner has become critical to the success of humanitarian action. Local responders provide an invaluable understanding of local challenges and potential solutions, are able to mobilise local networks and offer greater access to affected populations. They contribute to a more effective, efficient and sustainable humanitarian response with an enhanced accountability
This session will highlight the new EU ambition and concrete steps to move forward the localisation agenda and provide a platform for inter alia sharing best practices on local capacity building, localised financing models, equal partnerships, and promotion of women-led organisations. The panel will look at lessons learnt of supported projects, pilot experiences with programmatic partnerships, and Country-Based Pooled Funds.
The session will launch a consultative process with stakeholders to develop the guidance as announced in the March 2021 Communication on the EU's Humanitarian Action.
Speakers
- Xavier Castellanos Mosquera, Under-Secretary-General of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
- Jiří Kozák, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic
- Michael Köhler, Deputy Director-General at Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO)
- Janina Ochojska, Member of European Parliament
- Marta Valdes García, Director of Humanitarian Programs and Deputy Humanitarian Director at Oxfam Global Humanitarian Team
- Smruti Patel, Founder and Co-Director of Global Mentoring Initiative
- Ahmed Ibrahim Abdi, Chief Executive Officer of the Arid Lands Development Focus (ALDEF)
Moderator
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change.
This session will focus on how to step up the protection of humanitarian and medical workers and assets in armed conflicts, as well as how to concretely follow–up on and implement the recommendations of the 2021 Discussion Series at UN-level on “Ensuring the protection, safety, and security of humanitarian workers and medical personnel in armed conflicts”.
Speakers
- Gilles Michaud, United Nations Under-Secretary General for Safety and Security
- Esther Kuisch Laroche, Director of Specialized Operations Support at United Nations Department for Safety and Security
- Antón Leis García, Director of the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation
- Antonia Mulvey, Founder and Executive Director of Legal Action Worldwide (LAW)
- Jean-Francois Riffaud, CEO of Action Against Hunger France
- Christina Wille, Director of Insecurity Insight and Aid in Danger Project
- Nic Lee, Executive Director International NGO Safety Organisation.
- Claude Maon, Director of International Legal Department at Médecins sans frontiers (MSF)
- Eman Ismail Abu Mohm'd, MENA Regional Representative for the International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA)
Moderator
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change.
This session will celebrate the EU’s achievements on education in emergencies (EiE) and focus on pressing challenges of education, including successful recovery from the COVID-19 disruption and building of resilience of education systems.
It will address innovative and adaptable solutions in the framework of the triple humanitarian-development-peace nexus, and concrete achievements of the EU’s targeted support to the provision of education in emergencies.
Speakers
- Augusto Santos Silva, Minister of State and Foreign Affairs, Portugal
- Gordon Brown, United Nations Special Envoy for Global Education
- David Lega, Member of the European Parliament
- Inger Ashing, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Save the Children International
- Geert Cappelaere, UNICEF Representative European Union Institutions and Director UNICEF Partnership Office
- Margarita Focas-Licht, Acting Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Global Partnership for Education
- Yasmine Sherif, Director of Education Cannot Wait, United Nations
- Sameera Noori, Education Programme Manager/DDG, CoAR, Afghanistan
- Anojitha Sivaskaran, Youth and Peace Advocate, Sri Lanka (testimonial facilitated by World Vision)
- Fatima, Young Leader, Syria (testimonial facilitated by World Vision)
- Magartu, Young Leader, Kenya (testimonial facilitated by UNHCR)
Moderator
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change.
Across 42 countries up to 161 million people have been estimated to be acutely food insecure or at high risk - a significant increase with respect to 2020. Equally concerning is the rise in the number of persons displaced within and across international borders while fleeing conflict, persecution, violence or human rights violations, rising to over 80 million in 2020.
Nearly all countries facing food insecurity are affected by conflict. And the deterioration of humanitarian access is further aggravating the dire outlook. Meaning, the deliberate obstruction and impediment of humanitarian aid is compounding an already grave situation.
This session will highlight the need for political action to address the nexus between conflict and hunger, and confront the impunity which propels the continued use of starvation as a weapon of war.
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change.
Speakers
- Charles Goerens, Member of the European Parliament
- Ute Klamert, Assistant Executive Director of the World Food Program (WFP)
- Marriët Schuurman, Director of Stability and Humanitarian Aid at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Cécile Duflot, Executive Director Oxfam France
- Vincent Stehli, ACF Director of Operations
- Beatrice Eluaka, Executive Secretary, Civil Society – Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN)
- Harriet, Young Leader, South Sudan (participation facilitated by World Vision)
Moderator
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change.
This session will focus on the humanitarian impact of climate change, in particular how to anticipate and reduce impacts or prepare for humanitarian aid through early warning in combination with early action/anticipation.
It will highlight the importance of timely and effective provision of information that allows early action to mitigate the risks and impacts of a disaster, and to facilitate preparedness for an effective response.
Speakers
- Ricklef Beutin, Director General for Crisis Prevention, Stabilization, Peacebuilding and Humanitarian Assistance in the German Foreign Office
- John Harding, Head of the Climate Risk and Early Warning System Initative (CREWS) Secretariat at the World Meteorological Organisation
- Catalina Jaime, Head of the Climate and Conflict unit at the Climate Centre
- Carlo Buontempo, Director of Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF)
- Francois Kayitakire, Director of Research and Development at the African Risk Capacity (ARC) Agency
- Marco Anzidei, Senior Researcher at the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV)
Moderator
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change.
This session will focus on the risky humanitarian imperative to act fast, in dangerous, unstable, instrumentalised and non-permissive environments.
It will focus on how to reconcile the need to be accountable with the necessity to take risks to save lives.
It will explore approaches on duty of care and risk aversion, and how collective answers can help addressing and mitigating these risks.
Speakers
- Paraskevi Michou, Director-General for European Civil Protection and Humaniatrian Aid Operations, European Union
- Kelly Clements, Deputy High Commissioner with the United Nations Office Of The High Commissioner For Refugees (UNHCR)
- Ugochi Daniels, Deputy Director General of International Organization for Migration (IOM)
- Marie-Pierre Caley, Co-founder and CEO ACTED
- David Gressly, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen
- Barbara Dätwyler Scheuer, Head of Multilateral Division, Humanitarian Aid and SHA, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC
Moderator
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change.
13:00-14:00
Facilitated by DG ECHO
What are the efficiency and effectiveness gains common logistical services can provide in-country and for last mile delivery, and could the European Humanitarian Response Capacity play a role?
Speakers
- Cecile Terraz, Global Director of Supply chain & Procurement, Plan International
- Richard Kneller, Deputy Team Leader, Support to Operations team, Unit A2, DG ECHO
- Dany Egreteau, Director Atlas Logistique (an operational unit of Humanity and Inclusion)
Moderator:
- Susan Hodgson Head of Emergency Supply Chain, Save the Children
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change
13:00-14:00
Facilitated by DG ECHO
This Humanitarian talk will build on the momentum that has been established since the 2016 report of the UN High Level Panel on Humanitarian Financing towards harnessing new sources of finance, in particular drawing on private investment, to address the humanitarian financing gap. Significant steps have been made in this area, with the majority of humanitarian implementing organisations exploring innovative financing means, engagement from the public and international financial institutions in fragile states having stepped up following the Global Refugee Forum of 2019, and the private investment community also exploring how to unlock investments in humanitarian contexts, notably through an initiative of the World Economic Forum. Nonetheless, the humanitarian financing gap remains and is growing. Concerted actions from public donors as well as humanitarian organisations are still required in order to de-risk and catalyse private investments, in particular in the tougher economic climate following COVID-19. This event will aim to highlight the actions that organisations can take to draw in this private investment, building on recent good practice in the field and the experience of development cooperation in promoting private sector investment to address the SDGs.
Speakers:
- Juan Coderque, Head of New Financing Models (NFMs) at the ICRC and co-lead at the Humanitarian and Resilience Investing Initiative (opening remarks)
- Jakob Harbo, Head of Partnership & Compliance, Danish Red Cross
- Ellen Brooks Shehata, Investment Lead for the Innovative Finance Practice, International Rescue Committee
- Jean Bertrand Mothes, responsable de la division « Fragilités, crises et conflits » de l’Agence française de développement (AFD)
- Patrick Elmer, Founder and CEO, iGravity
Moderator:
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change
12:30-13:30
Facilitated by Spain, Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack INEE, Ministry of Education of Niger
In 2020, GCPEA identified more than 2,400 attacks on education and military use of schools and universities that harmed over 2,700 students and educators globally. This panel will address how to preserve, protect and guarantee the right to education in conflict contexts. How can international and national legal systems address violations and ensure justice for individuals and communities affected by attacks on education? What can be done to strengthen monitoring and reporting on attacks, including sex-disaggregated data and strengthening the use of existing data, for example, to prevent attacks and ensure accountability? What concrete measures can States take to better protect girls and women from attacks on education?
Speakers:
- Hadiza Dia, Education Specialist at Educo Niger
- Jerome Marston, Senior Researcher at GCPEA
- Halima Moussa Dioula
Moderator:
Please note the speakers list may be subject to change
12:30-13:30
Facilitated by France, Finland, WFP, UNICEF, and Education Cannot Wait
Effective assistance at the nexus is especially important for children whose nutrition, education and health are disproportionately affected by protracted crises. A failure to provide support for children can perpetuate cycles of crisis, poverty and migration and reduce hopes for long term development. Integrated school health and nutrition measures contribute to breaking down barriers to children’s education, especially for girls, children living in fragile contexts and emergencies, children living in poor households and rural areas and children living with disabilities. These programs work and are most effective when delivered in coordinated ways among partners and sectors. This session will promote a dialogue about the safety, education and wellbeing of school-age children in crisis affected countries; provide concrete examples of joint action between humanitarian actors tackling the education and hunger crisis; and identify needed actions to expand support and financing to reach those that need it the most.
Speakers:
- Céline Jurgensen, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of France to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (opening remarks)
- H.E. Ville Skinnari, Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, Finland (opening remarks
- Tareq Salem Al-Akbari, Minister of Education Yemen
- Vilma Tyler, Senior Advisor, Nutrition Section, UNICEF NY
- Yasmine Sherif, CEO, Education Cannot Wait
- Daniel Wanganga, Sr. Director, Technical Resources of the Global Disaster Management Team, World Vision
Moderator:
- Carline Legros, Deputy Director Innovation and Knowledge Management, World Food Programme (WFP)
Supporting a better enabling environment for a nexus approach – tackling barriers arising from counter terrorism measures and sanctions
Due to circumstances, this Humanitarian Talk has unfortunately been cancelled.
We hope to organize an interactive session on this topic at a later stage. If you are interested to participate in such a future session – please send an email to kdocters@redcross.nl. Please find a short description of the focus of such a session below.
There is a strong interconnectedness of humanitarian action, development and peace.
In reality, there is no neat chart that shows the start and end point of a humanitarian action or a development intervention. There is no specific action that alone builds or promotes peace. Peace is an outcome of multiple initiatives and actions over a period of time that meets the needs, rights and aspirations of people. And that is exactly what should be the starting point of the conversation – being able to address the needs, rights and aspirations of communities and individuals.
However, many of the donors’ planning and financing treat humanitarian, development or peace interventions as three distinct issues or phases, and there are reasons for doing so. However, this approach has led to the creation of humanitarian and development and peace silos. To break silo’s and engage successfully in a nexus approach we need more harmonized funding and conditions, to address the needs, rights and aspirations of the communities we serve.
We need to address the restrictive effects of sanctions and counterterrorism measures on the ability of organizations like the Red Cross, that operate along the humanitarian – development – peace continuum. National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies are focusing both on traditionally humanitarian activities such as disaster prevention, preparedness, emergency response as well as longer term programs (health, social cohesion, livelihoods) to increase the resilience of communities and individuals.
While we recognize sanctions and counter terrorism measures are designed to achieve legitimate and important objectives, they affect our fundamental principles that form the basis on which we operate, notably the principles of humanity, neutrality, independence and impartiality. Sanctions and counter terrorism measures have both direct and indirect effects on our work. Engaging in programs that contractually oblige us to screen final beneficiaries against designated terrorist lists before they can be provided with assistance is in direct contradiction with our principles. As a result, organizations like the Red Cross will often shy away from engaging in these kind of funding agreements. And that means losing out on an enormous opportunity to use development funding for nexus approaches and restricting which organizations may engage.
There are also the indirect effects of sanctions and counter terrorism measures that hamper programming- such as the availability of cash (due to funding being frozen) to do cash programming, delays in bank transfers (bank derisking), or restrictions on import of certain goods and equipment necessary to implement livelihoods or water management programs. All of these reduce the effectiveness and efficiency of aid.
Development budgets generally far exceed humanitarian budgets, even for very fragile contexts. We need both humanitarian budgets and development budgets, as well as organizations that work along the hum-dev-peace continuum to implement successfully implement nexus approaches. We need to find a way to reunite them.
Therefore, we encourage both policy and law makers as well as practitioners to engage in dialogue and look for alternatives that serve the policy objectives of both humanitarian, development and peace sector, while also being compliant with security policy objectives. There are different conversations ongoing in EU member states, and we need to bring those working on practical solutions to light, as an inspiration for all. Because while policy objectives and motives behind humanitarian, development and peace programs might differ, our joint ambition to address the needs, rights and aspirations of communities should bind us all.
12:30-13:30
Facilitated by UNDP/OXFAM
With humanitarian needs expected to exceed $40 billion for the first time in 2022 and with the SDGs off track in many of the most fragile contexts, we are not on track with our shared commitment to meet the needs of the furthest behind. Moving from words into action with a nexus approach will be a critical element of reversing these trends. This session will explore why the nexus is ‘everyone’s business’ and the importance of ensuring that gender sensitive and risk informed actions are a vital component of success for local actors, governments, the multilateral system, and NGOs to turn the nexus into action.
Speakers:
- April PHAM, Senior Gender Advisor, Head of Gender Unit at UNOCHA
- Rosa Elena ACEVEDO, Director, UNIANDES.
- Samira GAID, Executive Director, Hiraal Institute
Moderator:
- Rachel SCOTT, Senior Partnership and Policy Advisor, UNDP Crisis Bureau
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change
12:30-13:30
Facilitated by DG ECHO
This session will launch DG ECHO’s new minimum environmental requirements and explain how DG ECHO expects them to be implemented. It will also outline the vision for 2022: a year of transition – from requirements to implementation and further refining. The session will also provide an opportunity to hear about challenges but also opportunities from a range of partners, and to highlight good examples from different organisations and different contexts. It will also demonstrate how cooperation between organisations can help in implementing these requirements.
Speakers:
- Anna Krikun – ADRA Germany Program Coordinator & Environmental, Climate Change & Resilience focal point
- Eva Mach – Environmental Sustainability Programme Officer, United Nations Migration Agency (IOM)
- Richard Casagrande – Senior Officer for Recovery & Green Response, IFRC
- Kanika Groeneweg-Thakar – Swedish Red Cross Green Response Advisor
Moderator:
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change
13:30-14:30
Facilitated by WHO, HCR Bangladesh, ECHO Bangladesh
This session will focus on the lessons to be learned from the Rohingya crisis on how – despite challenging conditions and extreme vulnerability – it has been possible so far to prevent any significant excess mortality due to the Covid-19 pandemic and how capacities build in the context of the Covid-19 response can help identify and respond to future health security threats and risks.
Speakers
- Edwin Ceniza Salvador, Regional Emergency Director, WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia
- Bardan Jung Rana, WHO Representative to Bangladesh
- Allen Maina, Medical Doctor
- Charls Erik Halde, Medical Doctor
- Iftikher Mahmood, Medical Doctor, FAAP
Please note that the speakers list may be subject to change
13:30-14:30
Facilitated by Danish Refugee Council, Denmark, Save The Children Denmark
This session will focus on the humanitarian crisis presently unfolding in Afghanistan and with a point of departure in the ‘Call to Action on GBV’, the event will:
- Bring attention to gender considerations as key for the ability of humanitarian actors to mitigate gender-specific risks and effectively reach all segments of the affected population
- Call for all stakeholders in the humanitarian system to prevent, mitigate, and respond to GBV and other gender-specific risks by incorporating gender considerations into humanitarian crisis response from the outset of a crisis, and delivering gender sensitive humanitarian response, in the present crisis in Afghanistan and elsewhere.
Speakers:
- Lone Thorup, Lead Call to Action initiative Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (opening remarks)
- Jacqueline Bryld, Chief Adviser Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Qudsia Raheen, Women’s rights activist
- Jared Rowell, Country Director Afghanistan, Danish Refugee Council (DRC)
- Athena Rayburn, Director of Advocacy, Communications, Campaigns and Media, Save the Children Afghanistan
Moderator:
- Mette Thygesen, Director, Department of Humanitarian Action, Civil Society and Engagement, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Denmark
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change
13:30-14:30
Facilitated by UNHCR
The confluence of the global displacement crisis and the global climate crisis presents ever greater and more urgent challenges, and innovative financing for climate action in humanitarian settings is needed if we are to address these multiplying risks and needs. This panel will focus on promising innovative financing mechanisms for climate action, including in the areas of clean energy and environmental restoration, highlighting recommendations for how humanitarian and development actors can work together in sustainable financing models to address climate challenges in humanitarian settings.
Speakers:
- Peter Reynolds, Partner, Lead for Sustainability, Head of China. Asia & Pacific Region, Oliver Wyman Financial Services
- Mike Enskat, head of Infrastructure, GIZ
- Stuart Maniraguha, Director Plantations Development, National Forestry Authority Uganda
- Jens Sedemund
Moderator:
- Irene Yuan Sun, Senior Innovative Finance Officer, UNHCR
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change
13:30-14:30
Facilitated by Collaborative Cash Delivery Network (CCD)
The Humanitarian Talk will be introduced by DG ECHO Director Andreas Papaconstantinou. The session will be the opportunity to formally launch DG ECHO Thematic Policy Document No 3 on Cash Transfers.
The objectives/ expected outcomes of the session are to share:
• NGO best practice and challenges on harmonization of CVA delivery that is collaborative and impactful amidst increasing complexity of crisis (conflict, COVID-19, climate change impact, nexus and local actor strengthening)
• Recommendations from affected people’s and civil society perspectives – collaboration to drive towards harmonized approaches and preconditions for impactful financial resilience
The session format will ensure interactive and diverse opportunities for engagement, best practice sharing and discussion of key challenges, propositions to address these in reflection of DG ECHO’s Thematic Policy Document N°3 on Cash Transfers and CCD members’ experiences and value-add to forge better.
Speakers:
- Nianja Raonivelo, Agricultural Engineer
- Mimidoo Achakpa, Executive Director of Women’s Right to Education Programme (WREP)
- Abba Yusuf, Executive Director of Grow Strong Foundation (GSF)
- Kathryn Taetzsch, Global Director Humanitarian Partnerships & Cash Voucher Programmes, World Vision
Moderator:
- Maria Jimena Peroni Galli
Please note that the speakers list may be subject to change
13:30-14:30
Facilitated by DG ECHO
This session will focus on the phenomena of 'perceived affiliation' in Iraq. This includes people who remain displaced and unable to return or assimilated due to their perceived affiliation to ISIL in Iraq. It will explore how we understand this group under IHL/IHRL frameworks, is it possible to mitigate the effects of a perception/stigma and is 'social cohesion' a suitable framework to understand assistance and international support.
Speakers:
- Kayla Pries, Protection Coordinator with Danish Refugee Council Iraq
- Samar Abboud, Country Director for the International Rescue Committee in Iraq
- Siobhan Simojoki, Head of IOM’s Peacebuilding and Stabilization Division in Iraq
- Dana Cristescu, Cash Advisor, UNICEF
Moderator:
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change
This session will focus on the specific EU contribution to pragmatic humanitarian diplomacy in the service of safeguarding humanitarian space and the neutrality, independence and impartiality of humanitarian aid in complex contexts.
It will show the importance of diplomacy in complex humanitarian crises, highlight challenges and opportunities, and identify ways of how to better integrate humanitarian issues into European external policies.
Speakers
- Đorđe Radulović, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Montenegro
- H.E. Cessouma Minata Samate, H.E. Cessouma Minata Samate
- Stefano Sannino, Secretary-General of the European External Action Service (EEAS)
- Robert Mardini, Director-General of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
- Erika Ellamaa-Ots, Permanent Representative of Estonia to the EU’s Political and Security
- Harlem Désir, Senior Vice President, International Rescue Committee (IRC)
- Roland Kobia, Head of EU Delegation in Ethiopia
Moderator
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change.
The resource base for humanitarian aid remains disturbingly narrow, with the top 10 donors contributing 80% of the existing humanitarian funding. There is an urgent need for stepping up global engagement and ensuring sufficient levels of assistance and identifying potential new donors and actors (including the private sector).
This session will look at positive experiences of stepped-up humanitarian support, from both European and non-European donor countries, explore how to inform public opinion on the importance of humanitarian funding, reflect on lessons learnt from different donor approaches in a variety of crisis contexts.
It will identify ways to further support better sharing of responsibility among a broader donor base and look at the potential of funding sources beyond public donors, notably the private sector.
Speakers
- Matilda Ernkrans, Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation
- Isobel Coleman, Deputy Administrator For Policy And Programming with United States Agency For International Development
- Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)
- David Beasley, Executive Director of the World Food Programme
- Tomas Tobé, Member of European Parliament, Chair of the Committee on Development
- Pierre Micheletti, President at Action Against Hunger
- Mirek Dusek, Head Of Europe, Eurasia And The Middle East, Deputy Head Of The Centre For Geopolitical And Regional Affairs, World Economic Forum
Moderator
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change.
This session will focus on the need and benefits of a renewed approach to logistics in the humanitarian sector, including the EU’s approach and the Commission's new humanitarian logistics policy.
It will discuss in particular the importance of logistics panning in humanitarian programming, the issue of cost savings, the need for a more efficient and effective delivery of aid, and the greening of humanitarian aid.
Speakers
- Hans Das, Director for Emergency Management and rescEU with the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Civil protection and Humanitarian Operations
- Jean-Babtiste Lamarche, Logistics And IS Director with Action Contre La Faim & Réseau Logistique Humanitaire
- Inigo Vila, Director of Disaster Management at Spanish Red Cross
- Maria Besiou, Dean of Research and Professor of Humanitarian Logistics at Kühne Logistics University
- Lucio Demichele, Head of the Analysis, Planning and Historical Diplomatic Documentation Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Italy
- Athalie Mayo, Global Logistics Cluster Coordinator at World Food Programme
Moderator
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change.
Co-organised by the European Commission & the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union
Humanitarian needs are immense and increasing by the day in Ukraine. Challenges of IHL, access, logistics, delivery and coordination of aid and transfer of funds must be overcome in order for the European solidarity to effectively reach the populations in urgent needs. The Commission and the Member States have set up a "Team Europe" approach since the early days of the crisis to address these challenges.
On the basis of the response put in place over the last 20 days, this meeting will focus, on concrete issues of humanitarian access to the Ukrainian territory and key bottlenecks in the logistical organization of this aid. It will discuss concrete approaches and list pragmatic options to respond to the fast changing and highly volatile situation on the ground. It will address financial, technical/operational and practical issues such as "hubs" and the different ways of channelling all manifestations of solidarity (from public and private sectors and also the local authorities) in order to allow effective aid to the beneficiaries.
Session co-chaired by:
The closing session will provide the opportunity to reflect on the three days of Forum, enabling panelists and participants to share their final views on the fruitful discussions and exchanges.
In essence, the closing ceremony will endeavor to highlight the accomplishments of the Forum while focusing on the implementation of these outcomes in the wider frame of forward looking solutions.
Speakers
- Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
- Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic
- Janez Lenarčič, European Commissioner for Crisis Response
- Matilda Ernkrans, Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation
Moderator
16:15-17:15
Facilitated by DG ECHO and INTERPEACE
Eighty percent of all humanitarian crises are now conflict-related. Political polarisation is on the rise, while trust in institutions and confidence in economic systems is weak. In these highly politicised contexts, where most situations of displacement last for more than a decade in average, it is crucial for all assistance stakeholders to work together based on solid conflict analysis. However, whereas the implementation of the humanitarian-development part of the nexus has progressed to a certain extent, the humanitarian-peace dimension seems to be more complex to operationalise. The panel will give a space to humanitarian and foreign policy experts and humanitarian practitioners to discuss existing best practices in ensuring that humanitarian aid and crisis management efforts are well articulated, without putting in danger humanitarian principles and space.
Speakers
- Erica Moret, Senior Researcher, IHEID
- Ugochi Daniels, Deputy Director General, IOM
- Hervé Delphin, Head of Unit, Strategic Communication and Foresight, European External Action Service (EEAS)
- Hannah Rose Holloway, Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding (HDP) Coordinator, Danish Refugee Council
Moderator:
- Scott Weber, President, Interpeace
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change
16:15-17:15
Facilitated by DG ECHO
Digital technologies have a vast potential to support humanitarian action through helping humanitarians to react earlier to crises, improve the efficiency and effectiveness of preparedness and response, and increase communication and accountability between donors, implementers and affected peoples. These technologies are already embedded in many humanitarian interventions, and are increasingly being used across the sector, supported by the rapid expansion in internet connectivity and mobile device ownership in many of the territories in which humanitarians operate. However, whilst digitalisation is an increasingly common practice which is already yielding benefits, there are still challenges and obstacles to overcome in order to ensure that the adoption of digital tools can be transformative for the sector. These challenges range from the technical, such as ensuring interoperable data and systems; expanding internet connectivity in crisis areas; to the ethical/legal – ensuring that digital technologies do not further exclude marginalised groups due to the digital divide, ensuring we do no digital harm through rigorous standards in areas such as data protection. This event will explore the support needed by humanitarian implementing organisations in order to manage and scale innovative practices, as well as how collective action can overcome the challenges posed by digital tools in order to fully unleash their potential.
Speakers:
Balthasar Staehelin, Head of digital transformation and Data, ICRC
Hansjoerg Strohmeyer, Chief of the Policy Development and Studies Branch, OCHA
- Manuel Patrouillard – Director General, Handicap International
Moderator:
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change
16:15-17:15
Facilitated by UNOHCHR and the Executive Secretariat of the G5 Sahel
This session will discuss ongoing initiatives that seek to place the protection of civilians (PoC) at the heart of security and development operations and strategies in the Sahel. It will discuss what can be further done to enhance the respect for International Humanitarian Law and for Human Rights Law by all parties. It will explore how different actors across the humanitarian, human rights and security realms can work together to enhance civilian protection and better humanitarian access to those in need.
Speakers:
- Commandant Mahamat Ahmat, Assistant Defense du Departement Défense et Sécurité du SEG5S
- Colonel Dembele Kanahan, Republic of Mali Ground Forces, G5 Sahel Joint Force
- Sebastien Hounhouedo, Expert Police Projet Cadre de conformité
- Atikatou Dience, Alliance Citoyenne
Moderator:
- Julien Attakla-Ayinon, Coordinator de Support Project, G5 Sahel Joint Force
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change
18:00-19:00
Facilitated by Danish Refugee Council and Diaspora Emergency Action & Coordination (DEMAC)
Research on and engagement with diasporas has shown that diaspora organizations are multi-sectoral, fast responding actors who work transnationally, supporting their countries of origin. Having a connection and understanding of their country of origin or heritage and local context plays a vital role in humanitarian assistance where diaspora organizations often are part of the first response in the aftermath of a disaster. They are also key actors when it comes to raising the alarm in times of crisis. Supporting diaspora as part of a broader humanitarian ecosystem play a key role in humanitarian responses and contributes to a better delivery by increasing the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability of humanitarian responses. This talk will present the key findings and lessons learned from DEMAC case studies and real-time reviews of diaspora humanitarianism: who are diaspora humanitarian organizations? and what are key added values of diaspora actors and their humanitarian responses?
Speakers
- Fatumo Farah, Director at HIRDA Netherlands
- Fadi Al-Dairi, Regional Director at HIHFAD
- Lois Austin, Researcher
Moderator
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change
18:00-19:00
Facilitated by International Rescue Committee (IRC) and Overseas Development Institute (ODI)
This session will explore how women affected by crisis and displacement have been hit by a 'triple disadvantage' of COVID-19, displacement and gender discrimination. Yet significant gaps remain in both policy and funding for the economic empowerment of these women. This event will bring together experts with lived experience and policy makers to identify the critical steps needed to ensure that policy and finance responds to the needs and priorities emerging from the pandemic, and that the EU and the wider donor community can more effectively support women’s economic inclusion in crisis and humanitarian settings.
Speakers
- Harlem Désir, Senior Vice President IRC Europe. (opening remarks)
- Rikke Fredberg, ECHO Policy Officer – Gender & Age
- Megan Daigle, Overseas Development Institute ODI
- Julia Kharashvili: Co-Founder, IDP Women’s Association Consent, Georgia; Member of the Action Network Forced Displacement
Moderator
- Imogen Sudbery, Executive Director IRC Belgium/ Senior Director, Policy & Advocacy Europe (moderator/chair)
Please note that the speakers list may be subject to change
18:00-19:00
Facilitated by the IFRC, Red Cross Princess Margaret Fund, Mercy corps and UNEP
The session will address the role of nature-based solutions in humanitarian contexts, providing a platform for humanitarian actors to better understand the issue and the relevance of NbS for their work – before, during and after disasters. This session will introduce the topic of NbS, provide examples and insights from the field especially on NbS for risk reduction, as well as space for discussion. This session will identify opportunities moving forward, including new partnerships for collaboration and areas of work which need further attention. It will contribute to the broader discussions on factoring in the consequences of climate change in humanitarian action during the Forum.
Speakers:
- Karen Sudmeier-Rieux, Senior Advisor, Disaster Risk Reduction at United Nations Environmental Programme’s (UNEP)
- Raimond Duijsens, Netherlands Red Cross
- Sarah Henly-Shepard, Senior Advisor for DRR, Resilience, Climate Change and Environment at Mercy Corps
- Ninni Ikkala Nyman, Senior Officer for Nature-based Solutions at the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change
16:15-17:15
Facilitated by DG ECHO
This session will focus on the EU and its partners’ experience using cash as a modality of delivery, using Yemen as case study. We will discuss ways of further improving the quality of the humanitarian response using interoperable lists of beneficiaries and referral systems, that could increase impact, complementarity of humanitarian programmes and better sequencing between emergency and longer-term assistance.
Speakers:
- Taline El Khansa, Country Director Yemen, Danish Refugee Council
- Nestor Owomuhangi, Country Representative United Nations Population Fund
- Mark Gordon, Deputy Country Director – programmes, World Food Programme
- Hamza Al Sanafi, Building Foundation for Development Organization
Moderator:
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change
Complementing the webinar between DG ECHO and partner organisations ‘Partnership 2021’, held in November 2021, this session will provide a platform for a discussion between Commissioner Janez Lenarčič and all DG ECHO partners on main policy developments and strategic issues.
Using as a starting point the "Communication on EU Humanitarian Action: New Challenges, Same Principles", of 10 March 2021, and the deliverables from the individual policy sessions taking place during the European Humanitarian Forum, the session will be a unique opportunity to reflect on the EU’s humanitarian aid policy priorities for the coming years, as well as on the ongoing DG ECHO partnerships with NGOs, international organisations, including the UN, and Member States' specialised agencies.
Access to this session is restricted to DG ECHO partners only.
Facilitated by DG ECHO
This session of the EHF Humanitarian Talks aims to consult partners and collectively reflect on options under which the EHRC, through a dedicated medical component tailored to intervene in humanitarian contexts, could provide a useful supplement to DG ECHO’s Civil protection and Humanitarian Aid activities.
The options envisaged include facilitating the deployment of EU public health experts or Public Health Teams (PHT), which could include epidemiologists (possibly from a roster organised by the European Centre for Disease Control - ECDC), rapid response health coordinators, or information management experts.
Other options under consideration and set for discussion include; supporting the establishment of an EU Emergency Medical Team (EMT) for deployment in humanitarian settings, or establishing a stockpile of medical items as part of the EHRC wider stocks of emergency kits. The EHRC could also include an EU medical evacuation capacity to support ECHO partners and aid workers, by directly operating medical evacuation operations towards pre-identified health structures in Europe.
Discussions with partners during this Humanitarian Talk session should help determine the relevance, priorities, potential partnerships and implementation modalities of these initial options under the EHRC, with a view to enhance EU response to health emergencies and bring added value to the overall response system.
Speakers:
- Vicky Lefevre, Integrated Surveillance, Emergency Preparedness and Response and Public Health Training at European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC)
- Flavio Salio, EMT initiative at World Health Organisation
- Wojtek Wilk, President and CEO at Polish Center for International Aid (PCPM)
- Ian Van Engelgem, DG ECHO Field, Democratic Republic Congo
Moderator:
- Stephane Halgand, DG ECHO
Facilitated by ACTED, IMPACT, Convergencies , Zero Exclusion Carbon Poverty
This session will demonstrate, through cases studies, how collaboration and partnerships among diverse organisations and actors can break down silos and allow not only for a more effective and efficient delivery of humanitarian assistance but also facilitate the transition from humanitarian to development programming. At the center of the session is the notion of multi-actor partnerships and how such partnerships can a) strengthen the evidence based decision-making by humanitarian actors through efficient data collection, management and analysis in contexts of crisis; b) attract additional financial resources to improve the agility in humanitarian operations and c) mobilize ecosystems beyond the humanitarian sector to facilitate the humanitarian-development nexus.
Speakers:
- Marie-Pierre Caley, CEO ACTED
- Luca Pupulin, Executive Director and co-founder of IMPACT Initiatives
- Emilie Poisson, Deputy Executive Director IMPACT Initiatives
- Fanny Roussey, Executive Director of Convergences
- Marie Dauvergne, BNP Paribas asset management
Moderator:
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change
Facilitated by WVI/CDA and Philippines Development Foundation
The session will focus on improving humanitarian actors’ understanding of linkages between market functionality, supply and demand within changing humanitarian contexts, often also hampered by limited understanding of how community members and different groups interact with and influence market dynamics (particularly when they are also party to ongoing conflict).
Speakers from different Fragile Contexts and market and peace experts share their experiences, tool adaptation to better leverage local markets and enabling mechanisms such as cash, voucher assistance in humanitarian, recovery and peace programming regarding disaster and conflict preparedness and response, fostering self-sufficiency and addressing increased risk and vulnerability of affected communities, traders and state actors.
Speakers
- Jose Alberto Henao, National DME/MEAL Manager in Colombia (WV)
- Ligaya Muñez, the OIC Director of the Humanitarian and Emergency Affairs (HEA) of World Vision Philippines
- Juvelyn L. Abubo, Local Business Rep./Area Branch Operations Manager from Pera Padala (video message)
- Ruth Rhoads Allen, President & Chief Collaboration Officer, CDA – Collaborative Learning Projects
Moderators
- Maya Assaf-Horstmeyer, Director for Fragile Contexts & Peacebuilding at World Vision
- Kathryn Taetzsch, Global Director, Humanitarian Partnerships & Cash Voucher Programmes at World Vision
Please note that the speakers' list may be subject to change
Facilitated by DG ECHO
In the DRC, ongoing conflict, violence and internal displacement have triggered and exacerbated gender-based violence (GBV), especially in the conflict-ridden east of the county. The panelists will explore key elements and gaps in GBV prevention and response, how to strengthen a holistic response to the needs of GBV survivors and IHL compliance.
Speakers
- Jean-Marc Chataigner, EU Ambassador, Head of EU Delegation in DRC
- Anita Akumiah, Team Leader ‘gender-based violence’, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
- Jean Daniel Batabombi Apanza, Colonel of the DRC Armed Forces (FARDC)
- Anne-Marie Boyeldieu, Representative of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in the DRC
- Julienne Lusenge, Human Rights Activist
Moderator:
- Julie Bodin, Regional Protection & Gender Expert, DG ECHO
Please note that the speaker list may be subject to change
Facilitated by DG ECHO
This session aims at inspiring practitioners interested in humanitarian cash support and its links to social assistance programs in fragile contexts. It looks at lesson learnt from EU funded multipurpose cash programmes in Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan, which embed operational features to facilitate the transition from humanitarian aid into national social protection system.
Speakers:
- Cecilia Pietrobono, Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations
- Julie Lawson-McDowall, CALP Network
- Paul Harvey, Humanitarian Outcomes
- Henrike Trautmann, Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR)
Moderator:
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change
Facilitated by the Finnish Refugee Council
This session will focus on the crucial role of “FAL”, i.e., the ability to apply the skills of reading, writing and written calculations to the requirements of daily life – in refugee setting to bestow a wide range of benefits upon individuals, their families and communities. The positive impact of different thematic and operational approaches will be explored, from life skills to women empowerment, from financial literacy to host country language skills to facilitate refugees’ integration. Finally, FAL relevance within the triple nexus will be highlighted.
Speakers:
- Peter Paul Opata, Program Manager at Finnish Refugee Council (FRC) Uganda
- Erdem Vardar, Founding Director of YUVA
- Sonja Belete, Adult Education and Development Expert
- Paula Malan, Senior Education Advisor, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland
- Marjaana Sall, Ambassador for Education at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland (closing remarks)
Moderator:
- Katja Mannerström, Head of Public Affairs, Finnish Refugee Council
Please note that the speakers list may be subject to change
Facilitated by DG ECHO
Are the current solutions that are offered to humanitarian workers, particularly following sudden-onset emergencies, sufficient? If not, could the European Humanitarian Response Capacity play a role?
Offering accessible and convenient working and living spaces to partners when a humanitarian crisis occurs can ease and speed up the delivery of humanitarian aid. Under the EHRC, work is taking place to propose a capacity to set-up an EU Compound whenever and wherever needed to provide a practical and easy way for partners to find living and working spaces when the context requires it.
DG ECHO is proposing to offer this capacity in the early phase of a humanitarian crisis, working along with MS and other European states which are specialized in this capacity (DK, SE, NO). Preliminary discussions and analysis show that this capacity could ease humanitarian deployment as logisticians from partners could focus on support to operations. It would also reduce these related costs and facilitate information sharing and coordination. This discussion will present what DG ECHO could offer, and will seek views from experts in the audience.
Speakers
- Takuya Ono, International Organisation for Migration
- Per Velandia, Myndigheten för samhällsskydd och beredskap (MSB)
- Alfonso Lozano Basanta, DG ECHO
Moderator
Facilitated by IMPACT, BHA, OCHA
The improvement of joint and impartial needs assessments has been a core priority of the humanitarian community, who has formalised this concern with a commitment to strive towards needs assessments that are impartial, unbiased, comprehensive, context-sensitive, timely and up-to-date. In order to promote efforts toward this goal, REACH has been working extensively to support the implementation of Multi-sectoral Needs Assessments (MSNAs) across different humanitarian crises, and to ensure that these crucial primary data collection exercises meet high quality standards.
This session will review progress made on MSNAs in the last five years, including their contribution to GB Commitment 5 on joint needs assessments. It will daw lessons learned from country case studies and discuss the future direction of crisis-level response planning and the key areas of focus for evidence-based needs analysis in the coming years.
Speakers
- Philip Bato, Humanitarian Affairs Officer – Head of Strategic Planning & Coordination Unit, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Somalia
- Roxana Mullafiroze, Senior Manager, REACH Inter-Sector Unit, IMPACT Initiatives
- Sarah Vose, Country Coordinator – Afghanistan, IMPACT Initiatives
- Brian Kurbis – Acting Head of Office for BHA in South Sudan
Moderator:
- Emilie Poisson, Deputy Executive Director, IMPACT Initiatives
Facilitated by International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) & German Red Cross (GRC)
The session will showcase examples of humanitarian response as well as anticipatory action to climate change induced hazards such as floods and heatwaves which increasingly impact urban populations and urban infrastructures. The focus is on joining forces with city governments and other partners to build resilience and be better prepared to face future shocks and crises.
Speakers:
- Katrin Bruehbach, R-Cities (Resilient Cities Network)
- Rheinhold Erdt, German Red Cross
- Catalina Jaime, Head of the Climate and Conflict unit at the Climate Centre
Moderator:
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change
Facilitated by DG ECHO
Extreme weather events, increasing in frequency and intensity due to climate change, as well as expanding conflict are driving consistent and unsustainable increases in humanitarian needs, with acute hunger reaching a five-year high in 2020. More than 2.5 billion small-holder farmers, herders and small-scale fishers - who produce about 80 percent of the world’s food - are among the most vulnerable to shocks. Evidence, however, shows that acting before a forecast shock to protect their agricultural livelihoods can avoid disaster losses valued at up to seven times the initial investment.
A strategic shift from responding to recurrent and predictable hazards to anticipating their impacts has the potential to break the cycle of growing dependence on humanitarian assistance and support resilience efforts. That is the guiding principle of Anticipatory Action (AA), a kind of protective programming that uses a humanitarian and resilience infrastructure to protect development gains and investments.
A growing number of stakeholders and national governments around the world are now using this approach to shield people from climate- and human-induced hazards. Linking AA to national social protection systems (NSPS) can also be an effective way to strengthen coordination between humanitarian actors and national governments and make NSPS more shock-responsive. Evermore it is seen as a way to integrate the anticipatory approach into national policies, bridge the Humanitarian Development Peace (HDP) divide, and promote a more efficient, effective and sustainable way of managing shocks.
Speakers
- Dunja Dujanovic, Team Leader of the Programme and Results team of the Office of Emergencies and Resilience at FAO
- Riyanti Djalante, Assistant Director / Head of Division Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance Division ASEAN Secretariat
- Clifford Cyril Y. Riveral, Disaster Response Management Bureau - Department of Social Welfare and Development
Moderator:
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change
Facilitated by DG ECHO
The ongoing conflict between regular military forces and non-state armed groups has been devastating the Lake Chad region (Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria) for eleven years now, forcing more than three million people to leave their homes and creating one of the largest and most protracted humanitarian crises in the world.
Building on some military gains in 2015 and 2016, the Lake Chad Basin Commission developed in 2018 a ‘Regional Strategy for the stabilisation, recovery and resilience of areas in the Lake Chad Basin’. The aim of the strategy is “to provide immediate stabilisation, to improve community safety and security, restore essential infrastructure and basic services and provide livelihood opportunities for households in the affected communities”.
Although supportive of the need to address some the root causes of the conflict linked to lack of safety, access to social services and livelihood opportunities, the humanitarian actors have raised concerns about the way the stabilisation strategy has been implemented. In particular, they voice the risk that stabilisation operations, combined with counterinsurgency efforts, blur the line between military and civilian activities and that the humanitarian aid could be used as an instrument of the stabilisation strategy in breach of its core principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence.
To understand better the priorities of the stabilisation strategy in the Lake Chad and the humanitarian concerns, please join the dedicated talk within the European Humanitarian Forum on 23 March.
Speakers:
- Njoya Tikum, Manager, Regional Office for West and Central Africa United Nations Development Programme
- Elena Ursu, Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) regional access adviser based in Dakar
Moderator:
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change
Facilitated by NEAR Network (Network for Empowered Aid Response), OCHA, UNICEF
This session will address the following aspects of localization that are critical in strengthening local actors' engagement in humanitarian coordination as a step toward the nexus of humanitarian and development programming: Leadership, Local actors' representation and participation in the coordination mechanism, capacity building, and coordination resources.
Speakers:
- Manuel Fontaine, Director, Emergency Programmes, UNICEF
- Puji Pujiono, Senior Advisor of Pujiono Centre and Convenor of Indonesia Development Humanitarian Alliance
- Ségolène de Beco, Head of Regional Office for Eastern and Southern Africa, DG ECHO, European Commission
- Virginie Lefèvre, Head of Programs and Partnerships, Amel Association International, Steering Committee Member, Lebanon Humanitarian and Development NGOs Forum
- Marina Skuric-Prodanovic, Chief, System-wide Approaches and Practices Section, UNOCHA
Moderator
- Alix Masson, NEAR Network
Facilitated by NRC /CHA
Quality funding is a top priority in humanitarian reform. But so far progress has been limited as has been widely analysed for example in the context of the Grand Bargain. At the same time various European governments have broad experience to share on achievements and limitations of their respective quality funding policies. Moreover, a substantial variety of concepts has been developed by international aid organizations and could be scaled on a European level. Against this backdrop the high level panel will bring crucial actors together to discuss practical and political steps to move quality funding measures, resulting in distinct recommendations.
Speakers:
Fredrick Lee-Ohlsson, Humanitarian DIrector, Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Harlem Désir, Senior Vice President of International Rescue Committee (IRC)
Carl Skau, Deputy Director General and Head of Department for UN Policy, Conflict and Humanitarian Affairs at the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs
Ricklef Beutin, Director General for Crisis Prevention, Stabilization, Peacebuilding and Humanitarian Assistance in the German Foreign Office
Cecilia Roselli, Norwegian Refugee Council, Director NRC Geneva
Moderator:
- Ralf Südhoff, Founding Director of the Centre for Humanitarian Action (CHA)
Facilitated by France
Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) are the rights of all people to decide freely about all aspects of their bodies and sexuality. They aim to ensure that no one is victim to sexual discrimination, coercion or violence, including by combating early and forced marriage and genital mutilation. They also aim to provide access to reliable information and education and to quality sexual and reproductive health services (including access to contraception). Sexual and reproductive health and rights remain nourish a virtuous circle by promoting access to education, empowerment, reducing inequalities, and are an essential condition for ensuring women's and girl’s rights.
To give access to SRHR in emergency context remain one of the most important action actors can undertake to prevent dramatic consequences on women and girls and more generally onto the population. As the Human rights based approach guide all action including the new NDICI, this event give the opportunity to think collectively on how to ensure that SRH needs and rights in emergencies context are addressed and answered.
Speakers:
- Louisa BEN ABDELHAFIDH, Médecins du monde, Head of the MEAL Unit
- Saleema REHMAN, Winner of the regional UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award for Asia
- Nigina ABASZADE, UNFPA Representative in the Republic of Moldova
- Leah HOCTOR, Senior Regional Director for Europe, Centre for reproductive rights
- Diane Keita, Deputy Executive Director, UN Population Fund
Moderator:
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change
Facilitated by Czech Foreign Ministry, Czech National Platform for DRR, with expert support from OECD/DCD
How can we connect all concerted efforts and actors across the humanitarian-development-peace-nexus to reduce humanitarian needs in fragile contexts? How can we shift from response to preparedness? How can disaster risk reduction and anticipatory action fit into the climate change adaptation and mitigation?
Speakers:
- Dan Schreiber, Policy Advisor Crises and Fragility at OECD Development Co-operation Directorate
- Pavel Danhelka, Member of the Czech National Platform on DRR
- Jan Danhelka, Director for Hydrology, Czech Hydrometerological Institute
- Lukas Laube, People in Need Cambodia
Moderator:
- Jenty Kirsch-Wood
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change
Facilitated by the Swedish Red Cross and Danish Red Cross
This session aims to provide concrete recommendations on the type of scalable interventions and approaches that can improve access to MHPSS services for affected individuals and communities. It will also present policy and resource mobilization initiatives and mechanism for enabling more sustained and sustainable funding to integrate MHPSS in humanitarian responses.
Speakers
- Dick Clomén, Head of Humanitarian Diplomacy, Liaison and Communications at International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
- Anna Didenko, Head of the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Unit of the Ukrainian Red Cross
- Zara Eline Sejberg, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Danish Red Cross delegate in Ukraine
- Maite Zamacona Aguirre, Senior Advisor at the Health and Care Department of the Swedish Red Cross
- Rabih El Chammay, Head of the National Mental Health Programme at Ministry of Public Health in Lebanon
- Renet van der Waals, Coordinator for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in crisis situations at the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Anita Anastacio, Director for the LEGO Foundation’s refugee early childhood initiative
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change
Facilitated by DG ECHO
In CAR, only 2.5% of the road network is paved, and many roads are impassable during the rainy season between May and October. It is also estimated that large tracts of the territory are not covered yet by rule of law institutions and administrative and social services. Insecurity only aggravates the challenges for aid delivery. In INSO’s report CAR ranks first place for total number of incidents with NGOs for the period January-October 2021. This session will aim to understand better how security and logistics impact access to beneficiaries in CAR.
Speakers
- Aline Rumonge, Deputy Country Director Central African Republic at WFP
- Maarten Konert, Country Director Central African Republic at INSO
Moderator
- Julien Bouzon. Team Leader Central Africa and Co-Desk Officer Central African Republic at DG ECHO
Facilitated by DG ECHO
The humanitarian talk will focus on the devastating impact of the current drought in the Grand-Sud. We will hear from humanitarian actors, and explore how to bridge humanitarian aid with anticipatory and recovery actions to build resilience. We will also hear from the private sector on their possible role in addressing the crisis. Participants will also discuss the prospects and political implications of the sustainable and inclusive development of the Grand-Sud.
Speakers:
- Giovanni Di Girolamo, Ambassador of the European Union to Madagascar and Comoros
- Issa Sanogo, United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Madagascar
- Jean Claude Rakotomalala, Director of the NGO ASOS, president of the platform of Civil Society Organisations working in the field of Health
- Vio Razafindrakoto, Partnerships & Programs manager, Private Sector Humanitarian Platform (PSHP)
- Marie-Chantal Uwanyiligira, World Bank’s Country Manager for Madagascar
Moderator:
Facilitated by TROCAIRE, KMSS, Community Health & Action for Development
The establishment of the Flexible Localised Emergency Response (FLER) mechanism in Myanmar contributes to the localisation commitments outlined in the Grand Bargain and the move toward a more ‘local’ response to humanitarian. FLER aims to strengthen the local humanitarian response to crisis-affected populations according to a harmonised (not standardised) approach, respecting key humanitarian standards.
This session will reflect on how the FLER mechanism transforms traditional humanitarian partnerships and large-scale grant management processes in order to balance power with local partners and communities of the humanitarian response. It will address the reality, benefits, challenges and advantages of the localisation of humanitarian aid. It will discuss its subsequent impact on local perspectives, power dynamics, and coordination and influence.
Speaker
- Fr Joseph Ja Yaw, Director, Karuna Myanmar Social Solidarity (KMSS) - Myitkyina, Myanmar
- Seng Kai, Director, Community Health and Development (CHAD), Myanmar
Moderator
Please note that the speakers list may be subject to change
Facilitated by Finnish Red Cross, Niger
Conflicts and situations of violence are becoming more complex and protracted. The Safer Access Framework, SAF, enables efficient humanitarian service delivery through crisis communication. SAF is designed to increase the perception and acceptance of Red Cross Red Crescent national societies, and has been piloted e.g. in Niger with ICRC and Niger Red Cross. This session introduces this case and also talks about crisis communication and SAF as a wider, global approach to improve efficient, principled humanitarian aid in complex crises.
Speakers:
- Riikka Mikkola – Senior Adviser, Humanitarian Assistance and Policy – Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland
- Caterina Becorpi, Movement Cooperation Head of Sector for the Americas – International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
- Adamou Amadou Tidjani, the Head of Communications of the Niger Red Cross
- Dries Goeminne - Head of Region for West and Francophone Africa - Finnish Red Cross
Moderator:
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change
Facilitated by Save The Children, the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, World Vision and UNICEF
This session will focus on the scale of child recruitment and use and discuss what its potential impacts are in terms of peace and security. As 2022 marks the 15th anniversary of the Paris Principles and Commitments, that have been endorsed by 112 States to this date, this session will also examine the measures that can be put in place to not only end this phenomenon but to also prevent it.
We will hear concrete stories from the field and discuss the importance of recovery and reintegration for children’s well-being and for sustainable peace and security. We will present the findings and recommendations from a study undertaken in the Central Sahel on child recruitment and use in this region and the further actions that need to be taken to better protect affected children.
Speakers:
- Virginia GAMBA, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict
- Innocent OPWONYA, Former child soldier and child rights activist, Trainee Programme Officer, World Vision Germany
- Eric HAZARD, West and Central Africa - Campaign and Advocacy Director, Save the Children International
- Brigid Kennedy PFISTER, Senior Child Protection Specialist, UNICEF
Moderator:
- Joanna DARMANIN, Head of Unit Humanitarian Aid Thematic Policies, DG ECHO
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change
Facilitated by DG ECHO
The event aims to bring visibility to the humanitarian consequences of the pervasive state of violence in Central America and Mexico that are similar in scale & nature to those in armed conflicts around the world. However, these are still below IHL application thresholds. Speakers will offer an understanding of how legal frameworks can support the humanitarian space on the ground and respond better to the protection needs in this.
Speakers:
- Miguel Adrián Ramírez González, Head of Operations, ICRC Mexico
- David Cantor, PhD, Director of the Refugee Law Initiative, School of Advanced Study - University of London
- Kelly Ryan, Chief of Party, GENESIS Project, National Foundation for the Development of Honduras (FUNADEH)
Moderator:
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change
Facilitated by VENRO
The need for a more locally driven and owned humanitarian system is well recognised. Changing roles of northern based NGOs and international humanitarian actors, a change of mindsets and empowered local actors are the basic condition for transforming the system. Equal partnership models and access to quality funding are crucial aspects to enable local actors to lead humanitarian response in their communities on their own terms.
This Humanitarian Talk seeks to showcase concrete examples of how humanitarian actors are engaging in more equal partnerships, ensure inclusive decision-making, and address some of the financial and legal barriers to deliver flexible and accessible funding tools. This session will highlight the Programme “Towards Greater Effectiveness and Timeliness in Humanitarian Emergency Response (ToGETHER)” as well as the Survivor and Community-led Crisis Response (SCLR) approach to offer inspiration for other humanitarian organisations and donors.
Speakers:
- Keumala Dewi, Executive Director, PKPA, Indonesia
- Darare Gonche, Social Development Worker and Trained Teacher
- Brigitte Mukengeshayi, Policy Officer, DG ECHO, Belgium
- Maren Rahlf, Programme Coordinator ToGETHER, Welthungerhilfe, Germany
Moderator:
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change
Facilitated by World Food Program (WFP)
Many countries in the Caribbean have signalled their interest in making social protection systems more responsive to shocks, strengthening what exists to reach and assist vulnerable and affected populations. The international community, including UN agencies like the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), and international financial institutions have partnered with several governments across the Caribbean so that social protection systems are better prepared to respond to the shocks and disasters that will inevitably occur in the future. The proposed Talk aims at highlight the experiences of national governments in using and strengthening national social protection in response to pandemic and showcase the importance of partnership with international financial institutions like the World Bank in scaling up efforts.
Speakers:
- Colette Roberts Risden, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Jamaica
- Regis Chapman – WFP Caribbean Representative and Country Director
- Clemente Ávila, Social Protection Economist, World Bank
- Sylvanie Burton, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment, Youth at Risk, Gender Affairs, Seniors Security and Dominicans with Disabilities, Commonwealth of Dominica
Moderator:
- Lola Castro, Regional Director, WFP Regional Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change
Co-chaired by UNRWA-BMZ
As part of its operations, UNRWA actively contributes to the improvement of the urban built environment of Palestine refugee camps through an innovative, participatory approach to urban planning that puts refugees at the heart of decision-making. Panelists from the UNRWA Infrastructure and Camp Improvement Department, the German Federal Ministry of Economic Development and Cooperation, academia and practitioners will discuss modalities, benefits and challenges of investing in participatory camp improvement planning in refugee settings.
Speakers:
- Philipp Misselwitz, Professor of Architecture at the University of Stuttgart, Germany
- Sebastian Wilde, Senior Policy Advisor for Israel and Palestine and Deputy Head of Division, BMZ
- Samira Kheirallah, GIZ
- Dilara Fuchs, Portfolio manager at KfW Development Bank in the Middle East Crisis Prevention & Response Division at Frankfurt Headquarters
- Vijay Neekhra, UNRWA Head Housing and Camp Improvement, Programme Infrastructure/Engineering
- Ismael Sheikh Hassan, Urbanist Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
- Israa Al-Zaher, Refugee voice, Palestinian refugee from Rashidieh camp in Lebanon
- Khaled Awad Al-Kourt, Refugee voice, Palestine refugee from Husn camp in Jordan
Moderator:
- Elena Bravo Taberné, Head of Unit for prevention and Evaluation, AECID
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change
Facilitated by PLAN International in collaboration with the Spanish HUmantiarian Action Offcie (HAO)
Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) is one of the main challenges that civilians, especially women and girls, have to face in humanitarian contexts. Intimate partners violence, sexual violence, including rape, forced and child marriage, trafficking, forced pregnancy, are triggered, exacerbated and even used as a weapon of war during crises and conflicts. While SGBV is underreported, horrendous sexual violations and the devastating impacts they have on victims and their communities as a whole, remind us of the urgent need for a stronger commitment, both political and financial, to prevent and protect people, in particular women and girls, from SGBV. To which extent are we ready to scale-up our approach to SGBV in emergency contexts? What about considering Gender, including SGBV, as a humanitarian cluster in itself with a dedicated budget line in humanitarian funds? Based on the Spanish experience, this talk will aim at relaunching the debate on the need to scale-up commitments of the International community, and in particular of the European Union, to address Gender inequality and tackle SGBV in humanitarian contexts. Plan International’s interventions in Sahel and Sudan will serve as a basis for discussion.
Speakers
- Elisa Paz, Senior professional in international cooperation for development and humanitarian
- Naila Abushora, Head of Influencing and Gender at Plan International Sudan
- Kovo Esul, Child Protection in Emergencies Specialist lake CHAD Basin Region (Niger, Nigeria & Cameroon) at Plan International
- Celinda Sanz Velasco, Desk Officer for gender and protection at AECID
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change
Facilitated by Legal Action Worldwide, OCHA
This session will focus on why so few perpetrators of violence against aid workers are prosecuted. We will explore whether impunity can be addressed by deploying creative legal strategies and pursuing justice for atrocities through national, regional and international courts and accountability mechanisms.
Speakers:
- Maureen Magee, Regional Director for Central and West Africa (NRC)
- Antonia Mulvey, Founder and Executive Director of Legal Action Worldwide (LAW)
- Nathalie Weizman, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Moderator:
Please note that the list of speakers may be subject to change