The newly appointed Under-Secretary-General for humanitarian affairs, Tom Fletcher, addressed the humanitarian community in November 2024 in an open letter pointing out listening, efficiency, outspokenness and innovation as the focus topics for the initial stage of his work.

Humanitarian assistance- and thus the most vulnerable of people – is in dire straits. The focus points of listening, efficiency, outspokenness and innovation prompt questions not only related to humanitarian aid but to related social disciplines, e.g.: How to capture human cost versus economic cost? What are the distinguishing features of a really good listener? Is there a conscious, purposeful dialogue on innovation between industry, humanitarians and other actors in fragile regions? What role can poets, authors, musicians and artists play in upholding humanitarian principles?

Listening, efficiency, outspokenness and innovation as topics are a unique opportunity to discuss urgent issues on humanitarian assistance in an inter-disciplinary fashion. Global Responsibility has invited outside experts to contribute their reflections. Together with Global Responsibility’s own questions and considerations, these reflections will serve as bottom-up inputs to Mr Fletcher and his team at UNOCHA.

As host country to several United Nations organizations and with a vibrant humanitarian and academic community, Austria offers a unique environment to launch such cross-sectoral dialogues. The University of Vienna, located in the heart of Europe, provides an ideal setting to explore how humanitarian action can benefit from perspectives across disciplines.

Desired outcome

To achieve new horizons through a discussion characterized by argumentation, explanation, communication, justification and shared reflection. We hope to nurture ideas and provide motivation across sectors to show that “leaving no one behind” is the universal duty of humanity and to use the available expertise to provide practical, innovative advice.

The event brings together voices from humanitarian organizations, academia, industry and the arts, underlining the cross-sectoral nature of the discussion.

Event details

Guest of honour: Fati N’Zi-Hassane, Director of Oxfam Africa

Host: Lukas Wank, Director of Global Responsibility

Panelists:

  • Gemma Connell, Chief, Strategic Prioritization and Practices Branch at UNOCHA (virtual participation)
  • Reshma Adatia, Director of Engagement at ICVA
  • Nick Appleyard, Head of the Downstream Business Applications Department at the Directorate of Telecommunications and Integrated Applications, European Space Agency (ESA)
  • Harry Eyres, author and journalist
  • Marisa Leon Gomez Sonet, Partnerships and Stakeholders Advisor at R-SEAT
Draft angenda
from 09:45Registration
10:00 – 10:10Welcome
10:10 – 12:00Keynote, presentations by UNOCHA and external experts, panel and audience discussion
12:00 – 13:00Networking lunch (participative)
13:00 – 13:50Conclusions by experts and invited commentators
13:50 – 14:00Concluding remarks and outlook

Moderation: tba

Language: English

Duration:  10:00 – 14:00 including breaks

Discussion rules: Chatham House Rule

Registration

Please register until 26 November 2025.

Bitte warten…

Please note:

  • The venue is wheelchair accessible. For more information, visit its website.
  • Photographs or videos may be taken during the event for future use, for example on our website, social media, and in publications. If you do not wish to be photographed or filmed, please inform the photographer/videographer or the event manager at the start of the event.

Contact

monika.stumpf-hulsroj@globaleverantwortung.at

This event is organized by Monika Stumpf-Hulsrøj, Project Manager at Global Responsibility.

In cooperation with