Roundtable: Humanitarian NGOs in a changing world: How do we adapt?
The 21st century will see the unexpected as a norm. Humanitarian needs will increase due to population growth, climate change and natural resource scarcity. These are just some of the trends and factors that humanitarian actors should prepare for. Our ability to monitor, report on performance and predict future challenges is increasingly important to successfully carry out a life saving mandate.
Humanitarian workers and NGOs continue to perform with empathy and efficiency in an ever more complex and risky future. They therefore need to be informed by evidence based and honest assessments of the environment they evolve in, and of their own strengths and weaknesses.
How does the humanitarian sector see its own performance? Do NGOs need to become more anticipatory, innovative and responsive? How do we bring about positive innovation and change?
Which progresses have been made in the last few years? These are just a few questions we hope will be addressed during the event.
To give an insight into trends and initiatives concerning the future, VOICE representing 85 major European NGOs active in humanitarian aid worldwide, has invited ALNAP and the Humanitarian Futures Programme (HFP). They will present their thoughts on where the sector is at now and on future scenarios and challenges. ALNAP, as a sector-wide active learning network, is dedicated to improving the quality and accountability of humanitarian action, by sharing lessons and identifying common problems. The HFP aims to develop a series of tools, methods and approaches to assess and strengthen the humanitarian community’s capacity to prepare for future threats.
Programme
17:30 Dr Randolph Kent, Director, Humanitarian Futures Programme (HFP), King’s College, London
Brussels launch of “The State of the Humanitarian System” pilot study
John Mitchell, Director, Active Learning Network for Accountability and Performance in Humanitarian Action (ALNAP), and Paul Harvey, Humanitarian Outcomes
Discussion
Chair: Kathrin SCHICK, Director, VOICE, Brussels
19:30 Reception