WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26

9:00-10:15    Governance and power in the aid business (Koestler)

We will examine the challenges of the competing agendas of  national and international interests, foreign policy and trade issues, agency HQ needs and local field needs and will focus particularly on how this effect the operating environment for humanitarian leaders in the field, looking at issues of stress and stress management.

Suggested Reading:Branczik, A. 2004: Humanitarian aid and development assistance. http://www.beyondintractability.org/bi-essay/humanitarian-aid  

10:15-10:40    Coffee break

10:40-12:00    The clash of cultures: military and humanitarian operations in the same theatre (Walker)

We will examine the growing involvement of military forces, both national and international in humanitarian response and examine the dilemmas this throws up. Case material will draw on experiences from Haiti, Afghanistan and Indonesia

12:00-14:00    Group luncheon at the Priory (catered)

14:00-15:15    The future of humanitarian action: Challenges and drivers (Walker)

In this session we will examine some of the persistent challenges to humanitarian action and agencies which will need to be addressed as we move further into the 21st century.  We will examine the potential impact of global chance (Climate change, urbanization, and globalization) on future crises and crisis response.

Suggested Reading:Walker. P., Glasser. J., Kambli. S.  Climate change as a shaper of Humanitarian Crises and Response. Briefing paper to Climate and Security: Evidence, Emerging Risks and a New Agenda. Paris, May 2012

15:15-15:40    Coffee break

15:40-17:00    Disaster Risk Reduction. Linking relief and development (Koestler)

This session will focus on how to take the experience from disaster management into the realm of development through building resilient communities. The lecture and related discussion will examine the role of governance and individual leaders in establishing a supportive environment for developing disaster risk reduction measures.

Suggested Reading:

Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015 mid-term review: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters. UNISDR 2011:  http://www.unisdr.org/we/inform/publications/18197

19:00-20:00    Music recital at the Priory

20:00        Group dinner at the Hotel L’Abbaye
After dinner invited speaker from the Geneva Humanitarian Community, time for discussion with the speaker. (Margareta Walhstrom. Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction)