PHAP: Learning sessions and webinars

On 8 January 2015, PHAP hosted a special online consultation event on the principle of neutrality in humanitarian action as part of the World Humanitarian Summit consultations. Over 200 participants joined us for a high level discussion with constant interaction from the audience, which contributed with important questions and comments.The principle of neutrality, included for example in the Statutes of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and in UN General Assembly Resolution 46/182, is concerned with not taking sides in hostilities and not engaging at any time in controversies of a political, racial, religious, or ideological nature. Such neutral action is generally considered as a crucial means for humanitarian organizations to be able to pursue their humanitarian work in an impartial manner – on the basis of need.The event was introduced with a special briefing by Dustin Lewis, Senior Researcher at the Harvard Law School Program on International Law and Armed Conflict (PILAC), on the principle of neutrality and its development as a principle for humanitarian action. It was then followed by a panel discussion facilitated by Angharad Laing, Executive Director of PHAP, which focused on current debates in the larger humanitarian community related to the principle of neutrality and their implications, with Carsten Völz, Humanitarian Director of Oxfam International; Ingrid Macdonald, Director, Geneva and Humanitarian Policy at Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC); Jérémie Labbé, Head of Project Principles Guiding Humanitarian Action at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC); and Kamel Mohanna, founder of the Lebanese NGO Amel.Read more at https://phap.org/WHS-8Jan2015

On 8 January 2015, PHAP hosted a special online consultation event on the principle of neutrality in humanitarian action as part of the World Humanitarian Summit consultations. Over 200 participants joined us for a high level discussion with constant interaction from the audience, which contributed with important questions and comments.The principle of neutrality, included for example in the Statutes of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and in UN General Assembly Resolution 46/182, is concerned with not taking sides in hostilities and not engaging at any time in controversies of a political, racial, religious, or ideological nature. Such neutral action is generally considered as a crucial means for humanitarian organizations to be able to pursue their humanitarian work in an impartial manner – on the basis of need.The event was introduced with a special briefing by Dustin Lewis, Senior Researcher at the Harvard Law School Program on International Law and Armed Conflict (PILAC), on the principle of neutrality and its development as a principle for humanitarian action. It was then followed by a panel discussion facilitated by Angharad Laing, Executive Director of PHAP, which focused on current debates in the larger humanitarian community related to the principle of neutrality and their implications, with Carsten Völz, Humanitarian Director of Oxfam International; Ingrid Macdonald, Director, Geneva and Humanitarian Policy at Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC); Jérémie Labbé, Head of Project Principles Guiding Humanitarian Action at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC); and Kamel Mohanna, founder of the Lebanese NGO Amel.Read more at https://phap.org/WHS-8Jan2015

Part of the World Humanitarian Summit consultations on “The Power of Business in Emergencies”, on 26 November we hosted an the online event that took place on the lead up to the Asia Regional Business Consultation in Bangkok, in 2 December 2014. The online event explored and captured private sector perspectives on how the business community can coordinate itself to engage more systematically in support of emergency preparedness and response, in complement to and in partnership with governments and humanitarian organizations. Key points from the online discussion were brought to the table at the Asia Regional Business Consultation in Bangkok, which was co-hosted by PDRF, ADP, and OCHA, and which supported the Summit consultative process. The guest speakers discussed the importance of partnership across sectors to support preparedness, response, and recovery. They looked at various models and leading practices in the Philippines, in the Asia-Pacific region, and globally. The interactive discussion looked both at challenges and opportunities, and collected best practice and lessons from a wide audience.Speakers included Stuart Reid, Trustee of The Partnering Initiative (TPI); Samantha Penabad, Strategy Consultant with Accenture Development Partnerships (ADP); and Rene “Butch” Meily, President of the Philippines Disaster Recovery Foundation (PRDF).Read more at https://phap.org/26Nov2014

Part of the World Humanitarian Summit consultations on “The Power of Business in Emergencies”, on 26 November we hosted an the online event that took place on the lead up to the Asia Regional Business Consultation in Bangkok, in 2 December 2014. The online event explored and captured private sector perspectives on how the business community can coordinate itself to engage more systematically in support of emergency preparedness and response, in complement to and in partnership with governments and humanitarian organizations. Key points from the online discussion were brought to the table at the Asia Regional Business Consultation in Bangkok, which was co-hosted by PDRF, ADP, and OCHA, and which supported the Summit consultative process. The guest speakers discussed the importance of partnership across sectors to support preparedness, response, and recovery. They looked at various models and leading practices in the Philippines, in the Asia-Pacific region, and globally. The interactive discussion looked both at challenges and opportunities, and collected best practice and lessons from a wide audience.Speakers included Stuart Reid, Trustee of The Partnering Initiative (TPI); Samantha Penabad, Strategy Consultant with Accenture Development Partnerships (ADP); and Rene “Butch” Meily, President of the Philippines Disaster Recovery Foundation (PRDF).Read more at https://phap.org/26Nov2014

On 21 November 2014, PHAP hosted the first regional consultation event for the Europe and Others Group. Speakers for the event included Tímea Huber, Head of the Department for International Development of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary and Co-Chair of the Regional Steering Group for Europe and Others; Yulia Gusynina Paroz, Special Advisor to the Director of the Europe Zone, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC); Patricia McIlreavy, Senior Director of Humanitarian Policy of InterAction; Randolph Kent, Discussion Chair of the online discussion forum for the region; and Rob Smith, Head of the Geneva office of the World Humanitarian Summit secretariat.Read more on https://phap.org/WHS-21Nov2014

On 21 November 2014, PHAP hosted the first regional consultation event for the Europe and Others Group. Speakers for the event included Tímea Huber, Head of the Department for International Development of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary and Co-Chair of the Regional Steering Group for Europe and Others; Yulia Gusynina Paroz, Special Advisor to the Director of the Europe Zone, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC); Patricia McIlreavy, Senior Director of Humanitarian Policy of InterAction; Randolph Kent, Discussion Chair of the online discussion forum for the region; and Rob Smith, Head of the Geneva office of the World Humanitarian Summit secretariat.Read more on https://phap.org/WHS-21Nov2014

On 23 October 2014, the third in a series of live online events leading up to the World Humanitarian Summit Eastern and Southern Africa regional consultation was hosted by PHAP. Leading up to the regional consultation event, which took place in Pretoria, South Africa, at the end of October, this live online event focused on the regional priorities concerning humanitarian effectiveness. Speakers included Michael Charles, Regional Programs Coordinator for the Southern Africa region, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC); Francis Onditi, Regional Child Protection Coordinator for West and East Africa, Save the Children International; Filipa Gouveia, Programme Officer and Humanitarian Focal Point, UNFPA Mozambique; Rania El Rajji, Humanitarian Affairs Advisor, MSF-Spain (Kenya); Mvuselelo Huni, Chief Operations Officer, Organisation of Rural Associations for Progress (ORAP) (Zimbabwe); and Joseph Nkinzo, Executive Director, Hope in Action International (Kenya).

On 23 October 2014, the third in a series of live online events leading up to the World Humanitarian Summit Eastern and Southern Africa regional consultation was hosted by PHAP. Leading up to the regional consultation event, which took place in Pretoria, South Africa, at the end of October, this live online event focused on the regional priorities concerning humanitarian effectiveness. Speakers included Michael Charles, Regional Programs Coordinator for the Southern Africa region, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC); Francis Onditi, Regional Child Protection Coordinator for West and East Africa, Save the Children International; Filipa Gouveia, Programme Officer and Humanitarian Focal Point, UNFPA Mozambique; Rania El Rajji, Humanitarian Affairs Advisor, MSF-Spain (Kenya); Mvuselelo Huni, Chief Operations Officer, Organisation of Rural Associations for Progress (ORAP) (Zimbabwe); and Joseph Nkinzo, Executive Director, Hope in Action International (Kenya).

The Ebola outbreak in West Africa evolved into a complex emergency with significant political, social humanitarian and security dimensions in 2014. It is estimated by the United Nations that US$987.8 million are required to implement the Ebola response strategy. Health agencies such as the World Health Organization and Doctors Without Borders have warned of inadequate resources to contain the epidemic and treat affected people. As the international community scales up its efforts, the private sector is being called upon to expand its engagement to provide resources with the objective to eradicate the Ebola threat and mitigate its impact.The online event on the “Power of business in the Ebola response” rovided information on the Ebola crisis, specific ways in which the private sector could contribute to the crisis and best case examples of private sector engagement in the response. We heard first-hand accounts of the crisis on the ground from workers in affected countries and from private sector companies that had been offering support to the response.Our panel of speakers included Joe Ruiz, Corporate Grants Manager at UPS Foundation; Karen Smith, Private Sector Strategic Partnerships Advisor at United Nations Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER); Jon Pender, Vice President at Global Health in GSK's Government Affairs Department; Dr Craig Friderichs, Director of Health at GSMA; Alan Knight, General Manager for Corporate Responsibility at ArcelorMittal; and Sue Adkins, International Director at Business in the Community.Read more at https://phap.org/WHS-17oct2014

The Ebola outbreak in West Africa evolved into a complex emergency with significant political, social humanitarian and security dimensions in 2014. It is estimated by the United Nations that US$987.8 million are required to implement the Ebola response strategy. Health agencies such as the World Health Organization and Doctors Without Borders have warned of inadequate resources to contain the epidemic and treat affected people. As the international community scales up its efforts, the private sector is being called upon to expand its engagement to provide resources with the objective to eradicate the Ebola threat and mitigate its impact.The online event on the “Power of business in the Ebola response” rovided information on the Ebola crisis, specific ways in which the private sector could contribute to the crisis and best case examples of private sector engagement in the response. We heard first-hand accounts of the crisis on the ground from workers in affected countries and from private sector companies that had been offering support to the response.Our panel of speakers included Joe Ruiz, Corporate Grants Manager at UPS Foundation; Karen Smith, Private Sector Strategic Partnerships Advisor at United Nations Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER); Jon Pender, Vice President at Global Health in GSK's Government Affairs Department; Dr Craig Friderichs, Director of Health at GSMA; Alan Knight, General Manager for Corporate Responsibility at ArcelorMittal; and Sue Adkins, International Director at Business in the Community.Read more at https://phap.org/WHS-17oct2014

On 16 October 2014, PHAP hosted the second in a series of live online events leading up to the World Humanitarian Summit Eastern and Southern Africa regional consultation. On the lead up to the regional consultation event, which took place in Pretoria, South Africa, this live online event focused on on the theme of transformation through innovation: successful scale-up models. Speakers included Olivier Delarue, Head of UNHCR Innovation; Helen Altshul, Deputy Chief for the Resilience and Economic Growth in Arid Lands – Improving Resilience in Kenya (REGAL-IR) project at Adeso; and Rob Beyer, Villgro Innovation.Read more at https://phap.org/WHS-16Oct2014

On 16 October 2014, PHAP hosted the second in a series of live online events leading up to the World Humanitarian Summit Eastern and Southern Africa regional consultation. On the lead up to the regional consultation event, which took place in Pretoria, South Africa, this live online event focused on on the theme of transformation through innovation: successful scale-up models. Speakers included Olivier Delarue, Head of UNHCR Innovation; Helen Altshul, Deputy Chief for the Resilience and Economic Growth in Arid Lands – Improving Resilience in Kenya (REGAL-IR) project at Adeso; and Rob Beyer, Villgro Innovation.Read more at https://phap.org/WHS-16Oct2014

On 3 October 2014, PHAP hosted the second in a series of live online events leading up to the World Humanitarian Summit Eastern and Southern Africa regional consultation, which will take place in Pretoria, South Africa, on 27 October. This live online event discussed humanitarian interaction with political and military actors including parties to conflict, states, peacekeeping operations and political missions.The panel of speakers included Ashley Jackson, Researcher at the Overseard Development Institute (ODI); Jules Frost, Senior Advisor for Civil-Military and Police Relations at World Vision International; Ibrahim Mohamed, Project Manager at Zamzam Foundation; and Maimuna Mohamud, Consultant for Heritage Institute for Policy Studies (HIPS).Read more on https://phap.org/WHS-3oct2014

On 3 October 2014, PHAP hosted the second in a series of live online events leading up to the World Humanitarian Summit Eastern and Southern Africa regional consultation, which will take place in Pretoria, South Africa, on 27 October. This live online event discussed humanitarian interaction with political and military actors including parties to conflict, states, peacekeeping operations and political missions.The panel of speakers included Ashley Jackson, Researcher at the Overseard Development Institute (ODI); Jules Frost, Senior Advisor for Civil-Military and Police Relations at World Vision International; Ibrahim Mohamed, Project Manager at Zamzam Foundation; and Maimuna Mohamud, Consultant for Heritage Institute for Policy Studies (HIPS).Read more on https://phap.org/WHS-3oct2014

On 26 September 2014, PHAP hosted a live online event discussing the upcoming Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) regional consultation. This is the third of the World Humanitarian Summit regional consultations leading up to the major global event, to take place in Istanbul in May 2016.Panelists for this event included Ignacio Leon-Garcia, the Head of the OCHA Regional Office in Southern Africa, Anne Mitaru, an international humanitarian lawyer working with Save the Children as the Humanitarian Advocacy Adviser for East Africa, and Philippe Habinshuti, the Director of Disaster Response and Recovery in MIDIMAR.Read more at https://phap.org/WHS-26Sep2014