Critical Choices: Triaging Humanitarian Priorities
When: 16 – 17 October 2024
Where: Urania Berlin, An der Urania 17, 10787 Berlin
The theme of the Humanitarian Congress Berlin 2024 “Critical Choices: Triaging Humanitarian Priorities“ will focus on navigating humanitarian needs amidst diverse global crises. From the rise of authoritarian regimes to the climate crisis and unprecedented budget cuts, humanitarian actors face escalating challenges. The Congress will explore strategies for coherent humanitarian intervention and forward-thinking approaches to achieve equitable, resilient, and sustainable outcomes in today’s multipolar world.
This year’s congress will feature a variety of keynote speeches, panel discussions, and workshops with esteemed speakers – have a first look at the exiting programme now and secure your ticket!
Please note that the programme is still under development and may be subject to changes.
All-Day: Free Media Training provided by Deutsche Welle Academy
09:15 – 10:30 | Kleistsaal & Edisonsaal (livestream available)
Welcome Note & Opening Keynote
Welcome Note & Opening Keynote
Welcome Note:
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Keynote Speaker:
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11:00 – 12:30 | Kleistsaal (livestream available)
Where is Everyone? Understanding the Gaps in Sudan’s Emergency Response
Where is Everyone? Understanding the Gaps in Sudan’s Emergency Response
Maryam Elfaki | Sudanese democracy, social justice & peace activist
Ozan Agbas | Emergency Manager, Médecins Sans Frontières
Betty Ka | Director Supply Chain Operations Division, World Food Programme (tbc)
Heiko Nitzschke | German Special Envoy to Horn of Africa (former Deputy Head of Mission UN Sudan) (tbc)
Chair:
Kholood Khair | Political Analyst; Founding Director, Confluence Advisory (tbc)
11:00 – 12:30 | Edisonsaal (livestream available)
Safe Abortion – A Denied Lifesaving Intervention
Safe Abortion – A Denied Lifesaving Intervention
Najat Lahmidi | Midwife and SRHR technical advisor, Médecins du Monde
Dr. Bela Ganatra | Unit Head, Preventing unsafe abortion, The World Health Organization Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research (tbc)
Dr. Lucía Berro Pizzarossa | Women Help Women
Bill Powell | Senior Medical Scientist, IPAS
Chair:
Kristin Horn
13:30 – 15:00 | Kleistsaal (livestream available)
No peace, no protection: The humanitarian situation in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
No peace, no protection: The humanitarian situation in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
Julienne Lusenge | President of Female Solidarity for Integrated Peace and Development (SOFEPADI)
Luise Amtsberg | Federal Government Commissioner for Human Rights Policy and Humanitarian Assistance (tbc)
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Chair:
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13:30 – 15:00 | Edisonsaal (livestream available)
Invisible Frontiers: Locals Leading Humanitarian Negotiations
Invisible Frontiers: Locals Leading Humanitarian Negotiations
Dr. Kristina Roepstorff | Senior Researcher, Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO)
Hamsatu Allamin | Director, Allamin Foundation for Peace and Development
Khalil Karimi I Head of Operations, Razi Social Development Organization (RSDO)
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Chair:
Armando Palacios | Network Security Advisor, Médecins du Monde
15:30 – 17:00 | Kleistsaal (livestream available)
Decisions on the edge: Handling Dilemmas concerning fundamental Humanitarian Principles
Decisions on the edge: Handling Dilemmas concerning fundamental Humanitarian Principles
Hameed Hakimi I Associate Fellow, Asia-Pacific Programme and Europe Programme, Chatham House
Dr. Andrea Steinke | Researcher and Consultant, Associate Centre for Humanitarian Action
Abby Stoddard | Researcher, Writer, Humanitarian Policy Analyst
Chair:
Alexandra Rüth | Head of Knowledge & Innovation Department, German Red Cross
15:30 – 17:00 | Edisonsaal (livestream available)
Funding gaps and changing Narratives: A Balancing Act
Funding gaps and changing Narratives: A Balancing Act
John Bryant | Research Fellow, ODI
Margret Müller | Regional Humanitarian Coordinator, Oxfam
Misun Woo | Regional Coordinator, Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development (APWLD)
Chair:
William Anderson | Executive Director, Sphere Standards
15:30 – 17:00 | Workshop-Room
Medical Care under Fire – Reclaiming humanitarian spaces
Medical Care under Fire – Reclaiming humanitarian spaces
Aurelien Buffler | Chief of Policy Advice and Planning, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Tracy Cheasley | former IO NGO Liason, NATO (tbc)
Dr Houssam al-Nahhas | Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Researcher, Physicians for Human Rights (tbc)
Christina Wille | Director, Insecurity Insight (tbc)
Chair:
Emanuela-Chiara Gillard | Associate Fellow International Law Programme, Chatham House
9:00 – 10:00 | Kleistsaal & Edisonsaal (livestream available)
Welcome Note & Keynote Session
Welcome Note & Keynote Session
Welcome Note:
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Keynote Speaker:
Ugochi Daniels | Deputy Director General for Operations, International Organization for Migration
Chair:
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10:30 – 12:00 | Kleistsaal (livestream available)
Humanitarianism in the Shadow of Politics: Navigating Aid under Pressure
Humanitarianism in the Shadow of Politics: Navigating Aid under Pressure
Prof. Thea Hilhorst I Professor for Humanitarian Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam
Olivier Vandecasteele | Founder, Protect Humanitarians
Marta Lorenzo | Director of the Regional Office of Europe, UNRWA (tbc)
Chair:
Wafa’a Al Saidy | Head of Mission Syria, Médecins du Monde
10:30 – 12:00 | Edisonsaal (livestream available)
Young Voices in Humanitarian Law: Paradigm Shifts and Technological Change
Young Voices in Humanitarian Law: Paradigm Shifts and Technological Change
Dr. Tassilo Singer | Lecturer “Technical Data Protection”, University of the Bundeswehr Munich
Erik Tuchtfeld | Research Associate, Max-Planck-Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law in Heidelberg
Delphine Dogot | Associate Professor of Law, University Catholique de Lille
Dr. Claire Vergerio | Senior Assistant Professor of International Relation, Leiden University
Chair:
Dr. Katja Schöberl | Manager for International Relations/ Advisor Political & Movement Relations, German Red Cross
10:30 – 12:00 | Workshop-Room
The Shrinking Pie: Tackling Funding Shortfalls in Global Health
The Shrinking Pie: Tackling Funding Shortfalls in Global Health
Mit Philipps | Coordinator Health Politics Team, MSF OCB
Yolanda Paul | Assistant Director of Financial Aid, Harvard Medical School
Dr. Katja Pohlmann | Head of Division for Global Health, German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development
Chair:
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13:00 – 14:30 | Kleistsaal (livestream available)
Unpacking the Climate-Water-Nexus: Climate Change Adaptation in Humanitarian WASH
Unpacking the Climate-Water-Nexus: Climate Change Adaptation in Humanitarian WASH
Mercy Kieni | Public Health Engineer & WASH expert, Oxfam Kenya
Dr. Karen Lebek | Scientific Coordinator at the Institute of Environmental Science and Geography, University of Potsdam
Paul Knox-Clarke | Consultant & Researcher in organisational and humanitarian effectiveness, ADAPT Initiative
Chair:
Nishanie Jayamaha | Co-lead Climate and Environment Charter Secretariat and Founder, Nik’s Fudo
13:00 – 14:30 | Edisonsaal (livestream available)
Gated Europe: Humanitarian Challenges and Responses to EU Migration PoliciesGated Europe: Humanitarian Challenges and Responses to EU Migration Policies
Gated Europe: Humanitarian Challenges and Responses to EU Migration PoliciesGated Europe: Humanitarian Challenges and Responses to EU Migration Policies
Chris Jones | Executive Director, Statewatch (tbc)
Ruben Andersson | Professor of Social Anthropology, Oxford University
Chloe Marshall-Denton | Head of the Forced Migration Team – Analysis Department, Médecins Sans Frontières – Operational Centre of Brussels
Chair:
Karoline Popp | Migration Professional / Researcher, Expert Council on Integration and Migration
13:00 – 14:30 | Workshop-Room
Hidden Wounds: Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Crises
Hidden Wounds: Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Crises
Sameh Hendi | MHPSS Technical Advisor, Ukraine Country Office Save the Children
Usche Merk | Transnational Cooperation and Psychosocial Work, Medico (tbc)
Hanan Ismael | Psychologist, Westbank oPT, Médecins du Monde Spain
Ohayla Shomar | MHPSS Coordinator, SAWA Foundation oPT
Chair: Pennina Munguti | Regional head of East-Africa, ArcheNova
15:00 – 16:00 | Kleistsaal & Edisonsaal (livestream available)
CLOSING KEYNOTE AND RECAP
CLOSING KEYNOTE AND RECAP
Dr. Hugo Slim | Senior Research Fellow, University of Oxford
&
Anita Kattakuzhy, Director of Policy, NEAR
