The first ever World Humanitarian Summit took place in Istanbul, Turkey on May 23-24, 2016. The summit aimed to set a forward-looking agenda for humanitarian action that addresses future humanitarian challenges. Feinstein faculty, fellows, and partners shared their work and perspectives at several World Humanitarian Summit events:

 How can the Humanitarian Sector Become Fit for the Future

#FITFORTHEFUTURE

Monday, May 23, 2016 from 8:30 – 10:00

Action Against Hunger, Save the Children and Planning From the Future hosted a side event on the global community’s ability to meet the humanitarian challenges now and in the future. Panelists discussed how to build the capacity of the system and make it more anticipatory and adaptive to better address the challenges in ever more complex humanitarian crises. This event was an introductory platform that set the scene for subsequent discussions on the themes of the World Humanitarian Summit.

Feinstein Visiting Fellow, Antonio Donini represented the Planning From the Future project on this panel. Other Feinstein researchers working on this project are Daniel Maxwell and Kimberly Howe.

Making Evidence Count: Better Use of Evidence to Increase Humanitarian Impact

Monday, May 23, 2016 from 13:00 – 14:30

This side event focused on the critical importance of humanitarian evidence. The discussion, featuring two case studies, showcased practical, positive examples of how evidence can improve the effectiveness and impact of the humanitarian system by changing methods and behavior. The event also examined new initiatives to address barriers to the uptake of evidence, and identified practical ways the humanitarian system can engage in better evidence practices. The event supported a renewed commitment to evidence-informed humanitarian action, which puts crisis-affected populations at the core of response.

The Humanitarian Evidence Program, a partnership between Oxfam GB and the Feinstein International Center, was represented by Dr. Ellie Ott of Oxfam GB. Feinstein researchers working on this project are Elizabeth Stites, Daniel Maxwell, and Roxani Krystalli.

Bedrock of our Action: Improving the Impact of Data in Displacement Situations

Tuesday, May 24, 2016 from 11:00 – 12:30

This event highlighted the challenges of data collection and analysis in humanitarian contexts as well as the opportunities for greater collaboration moving forward. Policy-makers, practitioners, and academics offered recommendations for improving data collection and analysis to deliver more effective responses to forced displacement – including for people displaced by conflict and disaster, internally and across borders – and to help empower and protect women and girls through improved gender data.

Adam Saltsman and Natalia Baal, Feinstein visiting fellows, were on this panel. They work closely with Feinstein Center Acting Director Karen Jacobsen.

Localizing Humanitarian Aid: Building Resilient Networks, Systems, Organizations, and People

Tuesday, May 24, 2016 from 13:00 – 14:30, Rumeli Hall 2 (100 – Roundtable)

The Overseas Development Institute (ODI), Asian Disaster Reduction and Response Network (ADRRN), and Center for Education and Research in Humanitarian Action (CERAH) hosted this side event. It explored how a more locally rooted humanitarian community, one that leverages the responsibilities and capacities of states, civil society and affected communities, supported by international actors, can be more effective in responding to and mitigating the risks of crises. This event examined three key areas of action needed to ensure a process of localization that is effective and sustainable. It provided insights and innovations on connecting across the local to international scale and shed light on bridging the humanitarian-development divide, within the context of moving from delivering aid to ending need.

Feinstein Research Director, Helen Young represented the Building Resilience and Adaptation for Climate Extremes and Disasters (BRACED) project on this panel. Other Feinstein researchers working on this project are Anastasia Marshak and Anne Radday.

Summit Exhibit Fair: Evidence Lounge

The Humanitarian Evidence Program’s Evidence Lounge is a multi-organizational initiative that inspires and enables the humanitarian sector to apply an evidence-based approach, when and where appropriate. Feinstein’s Humanitarian Evidence Program at the Evidence Lounge was represented by Dr. Ellie Ott of Oxfam GB.