31 July 2008

GPPi publishes Conference Report from first Transatlantic Dialogue on Humanitarian Action

The Global Public Policy Institute’s first Transatlantic Dialogue on Humanitarian Action entitled “Learning From the Field: Fostering effective transatlantic action on disaster relief and preparedness”, took place on 2-3 June, 2008 at the Max Planck Society Harnack-Haus in Berlin-Dahlem. This conference is part of the “Raising the Bar: Enhancing transatlantic governance of disaster relief and preparedness” project.

In order to foster joint transatlantic action “Raising the Bar” conducts multi-stakeholder dialogues. In this context, the conference brought together more than 40 decision-makers and professionals in the humanitarian field from both sides of the Atlantic for strategic debate on the key issues of humanitarian aid. This conference was used to launch the project, present its key goals and work program components, and in particular discuss and receive feedback on the research design. Working groups during the conference were structured along the four research themes that are being pursued as part of the “Raising the Bar”Project:

1. Linking Relief to Rehabilitation and Development
2. Improving Humanitarian Assistance Through the Implementation of Lessons Learned
3. Business Engagement in Humanitarian Action
4. Civil-Military Relations
   

Working groups were complemented by three panel discussions. To promote a lasting transatlantic dialogue on humanitarian aid, participants included highly qualified professionals from academia, the UN, European Commission, various NGOs and the US and German governments.

The conference opened with a pair of keynote addresses outlining the challenges facing the transatlantic partners. Challenges highlighted included climate change, and the subsequent increase in complex emergencies, as well as the changing international environment, including the different perceptions of and goals the transatlantic partners have for humanitarian aid. The main panel discussions focused on: the state of transatlantic cooperation on humanitarian aid and differences in transatlantic approaches to relief and preparedness; the field perspective on transatlantic roles in humanitarian aid, as well as operational principles and priorities from different humanitarian institutions; and ways to improve transatlantic cooperation, lessons learned and next steps.

Participants broke into working groups twice, each time addressing the four key study areas covered by “Raising the Bar.” In each working group, a participant with particular expertise on the topic was asked to give a short introductory presentation. A night cap session on the first day examining the planned integrated phase classification system for humanitarian disasters, provided excellent fodder for the second day’s debate.

The unique mix of speakers and participants made for lively discussion and debate both during the conference and during informal gatherings. Speakers and participants included, amongst others Manuel Bessler, Deputy Director of Policy Development and Studies Branch of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Ambassador Busso von Alvensleben, Commissioner for Global Issues, from the Federal Foreign Office, Germany, Ross Mountain, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General,for the UN Mission in the DR Congo and Herta Daeubler-Gmelin, Head of Humanitarian Aid Committee, German Parliament.

The second Transatlantic Dialogue on Humanitarian Action will take place on 15-16 December, 2008 in Washington D.C., USA.

To download the conference report please click here.

For more information on the “Raising the Bar” project please click here.

For more information please contact Kelly Johnson.

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