3rd Transatlantic Dialogue on Humanitarian Action

A key component of Raising the Bar is a conference series, the "Transatlantic Dialogues on Humanitarian Action". Designed to work in tandem with the 18 month research program, the dialogues bring together EU and US policy-makers, NGOs, multilateral organizations, researchers, and the private sector. The sessions provide unique opportunities for supplying practitioner feedback into the research process and provides direction for the research agenda. They also offer a platform for discussing the program’s findings and fostering the development of a transatlantic strategic community on humanitarian action.

The 3rd "Transatlantic Dialogue on Humanitarian Action" (TDHA) took place on June 8th, 2009 at the Renaissance Marriott Hotel in Brussels, Belgium. The event, entitled "Looking Ahead: Addressing current and future challenges in humanitarian assistance", builds on the first and second Transatlantic Dialogue on Humanitarian Action and compared and contrasted policy approaches of the United States and the European Union.

The panel discussions were used to examine some of the current issues facing humanitarians today, namely the effects of the financial crisis and the difficult balance between maintaining a principled approach to assistance and addressing the root causes of ongoing emergencies. Topics addressed during the breakout groups were the role of emerging donors in humanitarian assistance, local ownership in humanitarian action and the final outcomes and recommendations of the "Raising the Bar" project.

To view the conference agenda please click here.

To view the participants booklet please click here.

The conference report will be available shortly.