HPCR Podcasts

To better understand the underlying complexities and to foster strategic engagement concerning programmatic approaches in these settings this Humanitarian Assistance Webcast examined the tensions, opportunities, and challenges at the intersection of HRL, IHL, and humanitarian action. The discussion was moderated by Christina Blunt (ATHA Coordinator, HPCR) and Dustin Lewis (Program Associate, HPCR). Panelists included: Claude Bruderlein (Director, HPCR), Michaël Neuman (MSF - CRASH) and David Petrasek (Associate Professor, University of Ottawa)

In this week's live seminar, co-hosted with the Program on Humanitarian Policy and Conflict Research (HPCR) and the International Review of the Red Cross (IRRC), senior humanitarian professionals from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Human Rights Watch (HRW) as well as leading legal experts explored some of the most salient dilemmas and practical implications surrounding humanitarian engagement with armed groups. The discussion was moderated by Claude Bruderlein (Director, HPCR) and Vincent Bernard (Editor-in-Chief, International Review of the Red Cross). Guest panelists included: Marco Sassòli (University of Geneva), Aristoteles Constantinides (University of Cyprus, Department of Law), Christophe Gillioz (International Committee of the Red Cross), Zama Coursen-Neff (Human Rights Watch) and Cedric Ryngaert (Universities of Utrecht and Leuven)

Humanitarian organizations face an inevitable tension that arises from two separate accountability structures. One framework, established by Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions of 1949, holds organizations accountable to host states and donor states. A second framework, the human rights based approach, calls for accountability to individuals affected by hostilities. These two accountability structures create a multiplicity of obligations for humanitarian operators, who must simultaneously respond to the expectations of host state authorities, maintain accountability to donors, and respond to the needs of beneficiaries. The discussion was moderated by Claude Bruderlein (Director, HPCR) and Christina Blunt (ATHA Coordinator, HPCR). Panelists included: Andy Featherstone (Humanitarian Consultant), Brian Kelly (Emergency and Post Crisis Advisor, Asia and Pacific, IOM) and Maria Kiani (Senior Quality and Accountability Advisor, HAP International).

In this week's live seminar, our panelists explored the legal and policy challenges of protecting civilians in Syria, in particular, as they pertain to establishing humanitarian corridors in order to provide much needed assistance to vulnerable populations. The discussion was moderated by Claude Bruderlein (Director, HPCR) and Dustin Lewis (Program Associate, HPCR). Guest panelists included: Dr. Ian Hurd (Northwestern University) and Dr. Mukesh Kapila (Aegis Trust).

A recent report published by the UK Overseas Development Institute and the US Stimson Center assesses the impact of integrated missions on humanitarian response in conflict-affected regions. As the report notes, though integration of UN missions remains a polarizing issue, it is likely to remain the UN’s enduring operating procedure and hence will impact the doctrine and professional standards of humanitarian agencies for the years to come. The discussion was moderated by Dustin Lewis (Program Associate, HPCR) and Christina Blunt (ATHA Coordinator, HPCR). Panelists included: Claude Bruderlein (Director, HPCR), Conor Foley (Independent Humanitarian Analyst), Marit Glad (Global Advocacy Adviser, Norwegian Refugee Council) and Alison Giffen (Deputy Director, Senior Associate, Future of Peace Operations Program, The Stimson Center)

In this week's live seminar, our panelists discussed the scope of legal and normative protections provided to children affected by armed conflict. The discussion was moderated by Dustin Lewis (Program Associate, HPCR) and Christina Blunt (Program Associate, HPCR). Guest panelists included: Claude Bruderlein (Director, HPCR), Radhika Coomaraswamy, UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, Cecile Aptel, Tufts University and Alfred Orono, Prosecutor, International Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR).

To date, according to many observers, clusters tend to be more process than action oriented and largely exclude national and local actors. Much work still needs to be done to improve inter-cluster coordination and the direct funding of clusters rather than bilateral support has caused delays in operations. The cluster approach is not without positive developments. There have been improvements in the coverage of certain areas and better identification of gaps and duplication in assistance. However, in light of the observed international response to major disasters in recent years it is evident that the criticism that spurred the humanitarian reform process still has real traction. The discussion was moderated by Claude Bruderlein (Director, HPCR) and Christina Blunt (ATHA Coordinator, HPCR). Panelists included: Belinda Holdsworth (Humanitarian Coordination Support Section (HCSS) - OCHA Geneva), Patricia McIlreavy (InterAction), and Julia Steets (Global Public Policy Institute (GPPi))

In this week's live seminar, our panelists discussed regulation of the conduct of military personnel in peace operations to situations of armed conflict but also to situations short of armed conflict, where the issue of (extraterritorial) human rights obligations of peace operations personnel is increasingly prominent. The discussion was moderated by Claude Bruderlein (Director, HPCR) and Dustin Lewis (Program Associate, HPCR). Guest panelists included: Dr. Aurel Sari, University of Exeter, Dr. Kjetil Mujezinovic Larsen, Norwegian Centre for Human Rights, and Dr. Bruce Oswald, University of Melbourne.

In recent years, humanitarian organizations have seen a rise in constraints on their access to vulnerable populations in times of conflict or internal disturbance. While international law provides important bases for humanitarian NGOs to obtain access to populations in need, it also imposes clear responsibilities on humanitarian organizations in terms of the maintenance of a neutral, independent and impartial approach to such situations. The discussion was moderated by Dustin Lewis (Program Associate, HPCR) and Christina Blunt (ATHA Coordinator, HPCR). Panelists included: Ashley Jackson (Research Fellow, Overseas Development Institute) and Dr. Heike Spieker (Deputy DIrector, International Services/ National Relief Division of German Red Cross)

In this week's live seminar our panelists considered the election of the new Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) by the Assembly of States Parties which is scheduled for mid-December 2011. The new Prosecutor will take over from Mr. Luis Moreno-Ocampo in June 2012. The discussion was moderated by Jamie Williamson (New England Law | Boston) and Naz Modirzadeh (Associate Director, HPCR). Guest panelists included: Cecile Aptel, Tufts University, David Crane, Syracuse University and David Scheffer, Northwestern University.

Humanitarians are continually charged with the reevaluation of their work based on the evolution of conflicts and disasters. No longer satisfied with simply providing relief in times of crisis, the frontier of humanitarian action has expanded to include not only life-saving assistance but also prevention and rehabilitation activities. However, this change in scope calls into question the classical distinction between relief and development programs, the core principles of humanitarianism, and how professionals conduct operations in the field. The discussion was moderated by Claude Bruderlein (Director, HPCR) and Christina Blunt (ATHA Coordinator, HPCR). Panelists included: Samir Elhawary, Research Fellow at the Overseas Development Institute, and Sajedul Hasan, Director, Asian Disaster Preparedness Center, Bangkok and Chief of Party for PEER, ADPC, Bangkok.

In this week's live seminar our panelists considered the various challenges to the application of IHL in Afghanistan. The discussion was moderated by Claude Bruderlein (Director, HPCR) and Vincent Bernard (Editor-in-Chief, International Review of the Red Cross). Guest panelists included: Gabor Rona, Human Rights First, Markus Cott, ICRC, Matthew Hover, U.S. Naval War College, Fiona Terry, Independent Researcher.

In this week's live seminar our panelists considered the various challenges to humanitarian operations in Somalia. The discussion was moderated by Claude Bruderlein (Director, HPCR) and Naz Modirzadeh (Associate Director of HPCR). Guest panelists included: Ken Menkhaus, Davidson College, Bronwyn Bruton, Council on Foreign Relations, EJ Hoogendoorn, International Crisis Group, and Joe Belliveau, Medecins sans Frontieres

This Humanitarian Assistance Podcast engaged participants in a dynamic discussion with the leading actors in the professionalization of the humanitarian sector. The discussion was moderated by Claude Bruderlein (Director, HPCR) and Christina Blunt (ATHA Coordinator, HPCR).

In this week's live seminar our panelists discussed the impact of 9/11 on both law and policy for humanitarian protection. The discussion was moderated by Naz Modirzadeh (Associate Director of HPCR). Guest panelists included: Samir Elhawary, Research Fellow at the Overseas Development Institute, Fiona De Londras, Lecturer at the University College Dublin School of Law, Gavin Sullivan, European Security Cultures Project at the University of Amsterdam, co-operating attorney, ECCHR, Hina Shamsi, Director of the National Security Project, ACLU