The World Humanitarian Summit (WHS) will be held in Istanbul May 22 – 24, 2016.  Hailed as a “once in a generation” opportunity, the WHS must come to grips with the massive challenges facing humanitarian action globally, and chart a new course of action in the face of unprecedented demands on a system that is increasingly outdated, under-funded and overwhelmed by events. At the same time, it has become increasingly clear that there is not a single humanitarian “system,” but actually multiple systems, often operating side by side. Demands from the global south call for a more open and inclusive humanitarian system, with more emphasis on localizing response.

The Feinstein International Center has been jointly leading a study titled “Planning from the Future.” This study is working to provide background analysis and evidence for many of the questions facing the WHS.

In two separate events at Tufts this week, Dan Maxwell discussed the summit: what it is, what’s on the agenda, what’s not, and what is behind some of the recommendations on the table. He presented findings from “Planning from the Future” and the short-term and longer-term recommendations growing out of that study. These recommendations go well beyond the agenda of the WHS, and speak to the evidence shaping the agenda and outcomes of the WHS.

The first event was the Friedman Seminar at the Friedman School of Nutrition and Science Policy on April 6, 2016. Click here for the video.

The second event was at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy on April 7, 2016.