Abstract

International peace-making, humanitarian intervention and development policy are in crisis. Conflicts around the world have become protracted, millions of people hve been displaced and the number of peace settlements has decreased sharply over the past decade. Moreover, virtually all of the agreements that have been reached were mediated by coalitions of non-traditional actors, rather than through top-level United Nations diplomacy. Current ways of securing peace and delivering aid have proved unable to cope with the complex and political nature of ongoing conflicts and humanitarian crises which have arisen over the past decade such as Syria and Yemen. In this lecture, two leading global figures of humanitarianism and international development will discuss how our understanding of what humanitarian action and policy looks like must be changed. This is from one of traditional Western donors responsible to taxpayers and voters, to one that embraces actors outside the UN system. This includes involving the private sector and local on-the-ground Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) within conflict and humanitarian settings. Dr. Al-Meraikhi will outline his Global Humanitarian Action Executive Alliance initiative and how he is working to shift the UN approach towards more sustainable partnerships.

SPEAKERS H.E. Ambassador Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Al-Meraikhi, UN Secretary-General’s Humanitarian Envoy

Sir Stephen O’Brien former Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs & Emergency Relief Coordinator, United Nations (2015-2017)