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DIHAD brings together national government authorities, international organisations, non-governmental organisations, the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement, foundations, charities, academic institutions, the media and an increasing number of actors from the private sector.Read more Why Exhibit ? DIHAD Exhibition provides a great opportunity to network and showcase the Humanitarian, Aid and Development community your latest technologies and innovations, making a difference to those in need.Build relations and network with 5,300+ AttendeesPre-book B2B meetings with 60+ Hosted BuyersGenerate new leads from 84+ Participating CountriesBe part of the Leading Humanitarian Aid and Development Event!Book Your Exhibition Space DIHAD has grown into an event of global importance, bringing together international organizations, governments, think tanks, universities and businesses working in the humanitarian and development field all over the world. DIHAD is more than just a ‘talk-shop’ for global leaders. Uniquely, it facilitates learning through multiple opportunities for dialogue, training, networking, and hands-on displays of technologies and information. H.E. Mr. William Lacy Swing The Director General, International Organization for Migration (IOM) DIHAD Conference could not be more timely. We live in extraordinary times with huge numbers of people affected by conflicts and disasters. Humanitarian crises are more complex and last longer than ever before. H.E. Ms. Helen Clark The Administrator, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Featured SpeakersDIHAD 2021 Conference Theme “Aid and Coronavirus, a focus on Africa” HE Saeed Al Eter Chairman, UAE Government Media Office; Director-General, The Executive Office of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum; Deputy Secretary- General, MBRGI | United Arab Emirates HE Saeed Al Eter Chairman, UAE Government Media Office; Director-General, The Executive Office of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum; Deputy Secretary- General, MBRGI | United Arab Emirates Saeed Mohammad Al Eter Al Dhanhani is the Director-General of the Public Diplomacy Office at the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs and the Future, and the Director-General of the Executive Office of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in Dubai.In addition, Al Eter is the Deputy Secretary General of Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), considered one of the highly recognized philanthropist multi-entity organization in the region. In 2018, MBRGI spent a total of AED 1.5 billion, across 5 pillars: Humanitarian Aid & Relief, Health Care & Disease Control, Spreading Education & Knowledge, Innovation & Entrepreneurship and Empowering Communication, benefitting around 70 million people in 86 countries around the world. Through MBRGI, Al Eter supervises Pan-Arab initiatives, like the Arab Reading Challenge, the Hope Makers, and Madrasa e-learning platform.Saeed Al Eter is also a board member and the Secretary-General of the UAE Soft Power Council, where he oversees the development of the country’s Soft Power Strategy, in addition to his role at Dubai Future Council and Nation Brand. HE Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus Director-General, World Health Organization (WHO) | United Arab Emirates Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus was elected as WHO Director-General for a five-year term by WHO Member States at the Seventieth World Health Assembly in May 2017.He is the first WHO Director-General to have been elected from multiple candidates by the World Health Assembly, and is the first person from the WHO African Region to serve as WHO’s chief technical and administrative officer. Immediately after taking office on 1 July 2017 Dr Tedros outlined five key priorities for the Organization: universal health coverage; health emergencies; women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health; health impacts of climate and environmental change; and a transformedPrior to his election as WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros served as Ethiopia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2012–2016. In this role he led efforts to negotiate the Addis Ababa Action Agenda,in which 193 countries committed to the financing necessary to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.Dr Tedros served as Ethiopia’s Minister of Health from 2005–2012, where he led a comprehensive reform of the country’s health system. All roads lead to universal health coverage for Dr Tedros, and he has demonstrated what it takes to expand access to health care with limited resources.The transformation he led as Ethiopia’s Minister of Health improved access to health care for millions of people. Under his leadership Ethiopia invested in critical health infrastructure, expandedits health workforce, and developed innovative health financing mechanisms.Beyond Ethiopia, Dr Tedros’ global leadership on malaria, HIV/AIDS, and maternal and child health has been immensely impactful. He was elected as Chair of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Board in 2009, and previously served as Chair of the Roll Back Malaria Partnership Board, and Co-chair of the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Board.Born in the city of Asmara, Eritrea, Dr Tedros holds a Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) in Community Health from the University of Nottingham and a Master of Science (MSc) in Immunology ofInfectious Diseases from the University of London. Dr Tedros is globally recognised as a health scholar, researcher, and diplomat with first-hand experience in research, operations, and leadership in emergency responses to epidemics.Throughout his career Dr Tedros has published numerous articles in prominent scientific journals, and received awards and recognition from across the globe. He received the Decoration of the Order of Serbian Flag in 2016, and was awarded the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Humanitarian Award in recognition of his contributions to the field of public health in 2011. HE Hamad Al Sheikh Ahmed Al Shaibani Director General, Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD), Dubai | United Arab Emirates Director General, Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD), Dubai HE Sergio Piazzi Secretary-General, Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean | Malta Amb. Sergio Piazzi is a Senior Executive Officer of the United Nations. In January 2008, he was elected as the first PAM Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM).He is an Alumnus of the Nunziatella Military High School of Naples, Italy, holding an Honours Doctorate Degree in International Political Sciences (Naples), a Master’s Degree in Economics and Foreign Trade (Rome), and a Crisis Management Certificate (University of Wisconsin, USA).Amb. Piazzi started his career as Political Officer at the US State Department in the early 1980’s. In 1985, he joined the United Nations and coordinated UN operations in Northern Ethiopia until 1988. From 1992 to 1995, he conceived and managed the UN Programme on the use of international Military and Civil Defense Assets in humanitarian operations. In 1996, he was appointed Head of the UN/DHA Regional Desk for Europe and former USSR. From 2001 to 2006, he was in charge of UN/OCHA’s External Affairs. In January 2007, he was appointed UN Senior Adviser on European Affairs. He was, inter-alia, responsible for policy cooperation with the Council of the EU, the European Commission, NATO, the Arab League, G77, G8, OIC, CoE and OSCE, and their Parliamentary Assemblies.During his career, he served also, among others, as UN Representative in Romania (1989-90), UNDRO Delegate in the Persian Gulf Region and Political Assistant to USG Martti Ahtisaari (1990); Policy Adviser to the Special Representative of the UNSG in Iraq (1991-92) and UN Representative to Operation Turquoise in Rwanda (1994).In his PAM’s capacity, in addition to the statutory functions, he regularly conducts, at the request of the EU and the UN, peace-support and confidence-building missions to, among others, Syria, Libya, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Cyprus, Israel and Palestine. In 2014, the UN Security Council Counter Terrorism Committee / CTED, requested his cooperation to launch a major ongoing legislative support programme to adapt and evaluate national legislations of the Euro-Mediterranean and CIS regions, together with the USA and the Russian Federation, to implement relevant UNSC’s resolutions dealing with ISIS and Foreign Terrorist Fighters.Amb. Piazzi is an Italian national. In 2016, the President of the Republic awarded him with the highest-ranking national award - Commendatore to the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. HE Janez Lenarcic European Commissioner For Crisis Management | United Arab Emirates 2019- European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Brussels2016-2019 Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Slovenia to the EU,Brussels2014-2016 State Secretary for European and Foreign Affairs, Office of the Prime Minister2008-2014 Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights(ODIHR)2006 - 2008 State Secretary for European Affairs, Ljubljana2003-2006 Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Slovenia to theOSCE, Vienna;Chairman of the Permanent Council, 20052002-2003 State Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister of Slovenia2001 Diplomatic Adviser to the Prime Minister of Slovenia2000 Adviser to the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Slovenia, MFA1996-1999 First Secretary, Permanent Mission of Slovenia to the United Nations, New1994-1996 Third Secretary, Permanent Mission of Slovenia to the United Nations, New1993-1994 Department for Multilateral Relations, MFA, Ljubljana1992 Entered the diplomatic service, MFA, LjubljanaProfessional experience (highlights): Representative of the Presidency of the Council of the EU in the European Parliament(2008) Head of the Working Group for the preparation of the Slovenian EU Presidency(2006-2007); Representative of the Prime Minister for the reform of the EU Treaties (2007); Chairman of the Permanent Council of the OSCE (2005); Alternate Member of the Convention on the Future of the European Union, Brussels(2002-2003); Alternate Representative of Slovenia in the UN Security Council (1998-1999); Member of the Delegation of the Republic of Slovenia to the UN General Assembly(1994-1999). HE Saeed Al Eter Chairman, UAE Government Media Office; Director-General, The Executive Office of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum; Deputy Secretary- General, MBRGI | United Arab Emirates Saeed Mohammad Al Eter Al Dhanhani is the Director-General of the Public Diplomacy Office at the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs and the Future, and the Director-General of the Executive Office of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in Dubai.In addition, Al Eter is the Deputy Secretary General of Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), considered one of the highly recognized philanthropist multi-entity organization in the region. In 2018, MBRGI spent a total of AED 1.5 billion, across 5 pillars: Humanitarian Aid & Relief, Health Care & Disease Control, Spreading Education & Knowledge, Innovation & Entrepreneurship and Empowering Communication, benefitting around 70 million people in 86 countries around the world. Through MBRGI, Al Eter supervises Pan-Arab initiatives, like the Arab Reading Challenge, the Hope Makers, and Madrasa e-learning platform.Saeed Al Eter is also a board member and the Secretary-General of the UAE Soft Power Council, where he oversees the development of the country’s Soft Power Strategy, in addition to his role at Dubai Future Council and Nation Brand. Lectures by this speaker Monday, 2021-03-15 HE Hamad Al Sheikh Ahmed Al Shaibani Director General, Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD), Dubai | United Arab Emirates Director General, Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD), Dubai Lectures by this speaker Monday, 2021-03-15 HE Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus Director-General, World Health Organization (WHO) | United Arab Emirates Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus was elected as WHO Director-General for a five-year term by WHO Member States at the Seventieth World Health Assembly in May 2017.He is the first WHO Director-General to have been elected from multiple candidates by the World Health Assembly, and is the first person from the WHO African Region to serve as WHO’s chief technical and administrative officer. Immediately after taking office on 1 July 2017 Dr Tedros outlined five key priorities for the Organization: universal health coverage; health emergencies; women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health; health impacts of climate and environmental change; and a transformedPrior to his election as WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros served as Ethiopia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2012–2016. In this role he led efforts to negotiate the Addis Ababa Action Agenda,in which 193 countries committed to the financing necessary to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.Dr Tedros served as Ethiopia’s Minister of Health from 2005–2012, where he led a comprehensive reform of the country’s health system. All roads lead to universal health coverage for Dr Tedros, and he has demonstrated what it takes to expand access to health care with limited resources.The transformation he led as Ethiopia’s Minister of Health improved access to health care for millions of people. Under his leadership Ethiopia invested in critical health infrastructure, expandedits health workforce, and developed innovative health financing mechanisms.Beyond Ethiopia, Dr Tedros’ global leadership on malaria, HIV/AIDS, and maternal and child health has been immensely impactful. He was elected as Chair of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Board in 2009, and previously served as Chair of the Roll Back Malaria Partnership Board, and Co-chair of the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Board.Born in the city of Asmara, Eritrea, Dr Tedros holds a Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) in Community Health from the University of Nottingham and a Master of Science (MSc) in Immunology ofInfectious Diseases from the University of London. Dr Tedros is globally recognised as a health scholar, researcher, and diplomat with first-hand experience in research, operations, and leadership in emergency responses to epidemics.Throughout his career Dr Tedros has published numerous articles in prominent scientific journals, and received awards and recognition from across the globe. He received the Decoration of the Order of Serbian Flag in 2016, and was awarded the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Humanitarian Award in recognition of his contributions to the field of public health in 2011. Lectures by this speaker Monday, 2021-03-15 HE Sergio Piazzi Secretary-General, Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean | Malta Amb. Sergio Piazzi is a Senior Executive Officer of the United Nations. In January 2008, he was elected as the first PAM Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM).He is an Alumnus of the Nunziatella Military High School of Naples, Italy, holding an Honours Doctorate Degree in International Political Sciences (Naples), a Master’s Degree in Economics and Foreign Trade (Rome), and a Crisis Management Certificate (University of Wisconsin, USA).Amb. Piazzi started his career as Political Officer at the US State Department in the early 1980’s. In 1985, he joined the United Nations and coordinated UN operations in Northern Ethiopia until 1988. From 1992 to 1995, he conceived and managed the UN Programme on the use of international Military and Civil Defense Assets in humanitarian operations. In 1996, he was appointed Head of the UN/DHA Regional Desk for Europe and former USSR. From 2001 to 2006, he was in charge of UN/OCHA’s External Affairs. In January 2007, he was appointed UN Senior Adviser on European Affairs. He was, inter-alia, responsible for policy cooperation with the Council of the EU, the European Commission, NATO, the Arab League, G77, G8, OIC, CoE and OSCE, and their Parliamentary Assemblies.During his career, he served also, among others, as UN Representative in Romania (1989-90), UNDRO Delegate in the Persian Gulf Region and Political Assistant to USG Martti Ahtisaari (1990); Policy Adviser to the Special Representative of the UNSG in Iraq (1991-92) and UN Representative to Operation Turquoise in Rwanda (1994).In his PAM’s capacity, in addition to the statutory functions, he regularly conducts, at the request of the EU and the UN, peace-support and confidence-building missions to, among others, Syria, Libya, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Cyprus, Israel and Palestine. In 2014, the UN Security Council Counter Terrorism Committee / CTED, requested his cooperation to launch a major ongoing legislative support programme to adapt and evaluate national legislations of the Euro-Mediterranean and CIS regions, together with the USA and the Russian Federation, to implement relevant UNSC’s resolutions dealing with ISIS and Foreign Terrorist Fighters.Amb. Piazzi is an Italian national. In 2016, the President of the Republic awarded him with the highest-ranking national award - Commendatore to the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. Lectures by this speaker Monday, 2021-03-15 HE Rashid Mubarak Al Mansouri Speaking on behalf of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President, UAE Red Crescent Authority | United Arab Emirates Speaking on behalf of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President, UAE Red Crescent Authority Sessions by this speaker Wednesday, 2021-03-17 2019- European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Brussels2016-2019 Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Slovenia to the EU,Brussels2014-2016 State Secretary for European and Foreign Affairs, Office of the Prime Minister2008-2014 Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights(ODIHR)2006 - 2008 State Secretary for European Affairs, Ljubljana2003-2006 Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Slovenia to theOSCE, Vienna;Chairman of the Permanent Council, 20052002-2003 State Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister of Slovenia2001 Diplomatic Adviser to the Prime Minister of Slovenia2000 Adviser to the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Slovenia, MFA1996-1999 First Secretary, Permanent Mission of Slovenia to the United Nations, New1994-1996 Third Secretary, Permanent Mission of Slovenia to the United Nations, New1993-1994 Department for Multilateral Relations, MFA, Ljubljana1992 Entered the diplomatic service, MFA, LjubljanaProfessional experience (highlights): Representative of the Presidency of the Council of the EU in the European Parliament(2008) Head of the Working Group for the preparation of the Slovenian EU Presidency(2006-2007); Representative of the Prime Minister for the reform of the EU Treaties (2007); Chairman of the Permanent Council of the OSCE (2005); Alternate Member of the Convention on the Future of the European Union, Brussels(2002-2003); Alternate Representative of Slovenia in the UN Security Council (1998-1999); Member of the Delegation of the Republic of Slovenia to the UN General Assembly(1994-1999). Lectures by this speaker Monday, 2021-03-15 HE Gerhard Putman-Cramer Director, DIHAD International Scientific Advisory Board (DISAB) | Switzerland Former member of the Advisory Expert Committee on International Operations of the Swiss Red Cross; former Senior Associate of the Global Humanitarian Forum, and former member of the Board of the Henri Dunant Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, Geneva. Ambassador Putman-Cramer has been active in a variety of international fora these last few years, in his capacity as Permanent Observer of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) to the United Nations in Geneva, providing support to a variety of initiatives undertaken by – or aimed at – PAM member states. This has involved developing and applying various aspects of parliamentary diplomacy, often as input complementary to actions undertaken under the auspices of the United Nations. As Director of DIHAD’s International Scientific Advisory Board, Amb. Putman-Cramer has put together and overseen the Conference Programme of the annual DIHAD events, this since its beginning in 2003. The last Conference (12-14 March 2019) had as its theme: ‘’People on the Move’’ (www.dihad.org). From 1975 until 2009 Amb. Putman-Cramer was with the United Nations, initially with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and subsequently with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (DHA/OCHA). He served in New York (on 3 separate occasions), in Geneva (also on 3 separate occasions) and in a variety of field locations (including 2 years in Malaysia and 3 years in Madagascar). The last 14 years of his UN career saw him in the position of Chief of OCHA’s Emergency Services (concurrently appointed as Deputy Director, OCHA Geneva), during which time he created and developed a number of effective international response mechanisms and instruments (e.g the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination Team – UNDAC – and the Civil/Military Coordination concept ) while also reinforcing, together with the concerned authorities in disaster-prone countries, essential response capacities at the community, national and regional levels. During this period also, he led a large number of emergency/disaster response missions to, inter alia, Iraq (in the years 1991-94 and in 2003, as Area Coordinator for the Centre Region), the Caucasus, Tajikistan, Pakistan (the 2005 earthquake), Turkey, Mongolia, Thailand and Indonesia (also in the context of the South-East Asia Tsunami).Amb. Putman-Cramer has a ‘’Diplôme Universitaire en Santé Humanitaire’’ from the University Claude-Bernard in Lyon, a Post-Graduate Diploma (Economics, International Relations and International Law) from the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna, a Post-Graduate Diploma (Economic Development) from the Polytechnic of North London and a B.A. (Hons.) in Literature from Bedford College, University of London. Sessions by this speaker Wednesday, 2021-03-17 HE Patrick Youssef Regional Director for Africa, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) | United Arab Emirates Patrick Youssef joined the ICRC in 2005 and completed different missions in Sudan, Chad,Iraq and Guantanamo Bay. Between 2010 & 2013, he was the deputy head of operations forthe Near and Middle East covering Yemen, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the GulfCooperation Council. Mr. Youssef was the Head of the delegation in Iraq (Baghdad) for morethan 2 years, before taking the role of Deputy Regional Director for Africa in January 2016,where he managed ICRC operations in the Maghreb, the Sahel region, the Lake Chad basinand West Africa. He is currently the Regional Director for Africa.In addition to his field experience, Mr. Youssef worked on specific topics related to therespect of International Humanitarian Law such as the treatment and judicial guarantees ofpersons deprived of freedom, the recruitment of children in armed forces and TransitionalJustice.In January 2016, he was recognized by the World Economic Forum as a Young GlobalLeader. He sits in the International Council of Advisors of Global Dignity. Prior to joining theICRC, Mr Youssef worked in the private sector in Lebanon & the Levant.Born in 1978, Patrick Youssef has a bachelor’s degree in public law, a Master’s degree inDiplomacy and Strategic Negotiations from Paris Sud XI, an LLM in International Law inarmed conflicts from Geneva University and a certificate of completion of an ExecutiveEducation on Global Leadership and Public Policy from Harvard Kennedy School. Lectures by this speaker Monday, 2021-03-15 Mr. Mohammed Abdiker Regional Director For East and the Horn of Africa, International Organization for Migration (IOM) | South Africa Mohammed Abdiker assumed his role as Regional Director for the East and Horn of Africaat International Organization for Migration in Nairobi, Kenya on 1 August 2019.As the Regional Director, Mohammed reports directly to the Director General andrepresents the Director General vis-à-vis institutions of a regional character within and outside theUnited Nations systems. He liaises closely with Departmental Directors and IOM’s SeniorRegional Adviser for Africa and is a member of IOM’s global Policy Coordination Committee.Mohammed directs and supervises the Heads of IOM’s Country Offices in the region.He leads the Organization’s formulation, promotion and implementation of strategicresponses to migration issues and trends in support of Member States and migrants in the region.IOM’s Regional Office for the East and Horn of Africa covers Burundi, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia,Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.Mohammed brings a wealth of experience to the East and Horn of Africa Region, with over19 years of experience on a range of migration issues in crisis and post crisis settings. Mostrecently, Mohammed led IOM’s world-wide response to migration crises as the Director ofOperations and Emergencies at Headquarters in Geneva for the past 9 years. Under his leadership,the Organization saw a major expansion both in scope and reach of its programmes, coveringhumanitarian, transition and recovery, and resettlement portfolios, as well as support for land,property and reparations and other dimensions of transitional justice. Mohammed oversawadvances of IOM’s policy and technical expertise, through the introduction of new frameworks toguide its field interventions, to navigate and respond to the evolving nature of crises and to globalcommitments.He began his rich professional career with IOM in 1996, working on refugee resettlementand cultural orientation programmes in Kenya and has served as Chief of Mission in Sri Lanka(2007- 2010) and the Chief of Mission in Zimbabwe (2003-2007); as well as covering the returnand resettlement of refugees for IOM offices in Ethiopia, Kenya, and West Africa. He has alsofocused extensively on IOM’s Disarmament Demobilization and Reintegration programming.Mohammed is based with his family in Nairobi, Kenya. Lectures by this speaker Monday, 2021-03-15 Ms. Ann Encontre Representative of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Ethiopia | Ethiopia Ms. Ann Encontre assumed her functions as the Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Ethiopia on 3 October 2019. Prior to her arrival, Ms. Encontre was the Regional Representative of UNHCR based in Kinshasa, covering the DR Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Republic of Congo and São Tomé e Príncipe. At the same time, she was the Regional Refugee Coordinator for the DRC Refugee Situation. Hailing from Guyana, Ms. Encontre has a background in law, and has been working with UNHCR for over 25 years.Prior to joining the UNHCR’s Regional Office in Kinshasa, Ms. Encontre was Deputy Director of the Regional Bureau for Africa at UNHCR’s Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. Before that appointment, she served as UNHCR Representative in Cote d’Ivoire and Djibouti, as well as UNHCR Head of Sub-Office in Farchana, Chad, and Juba, South Sudan (then Sudan). Ms. Encontre has held protection, external relations and resource mobilization functions at UNHCR Headquarters, and in field locations in Angola, Russia, Sierra Leone, and Yemen, including emergency missions.Before joining the UN, Ms. Encontre held various public and private sector legal roles in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) and in Switzerland. She worked as Supervisor of Elections, Registrar of the High Court and Registrar of International Business Companies with the Government of the BVI; she worked with a law firm in Geneva; and later with UNCTAD and ILO. Lectures by this speaker Monday, 2021-03-15 Dr. Nathalie Ndongo-She UN Resident Coordinator, Mbabane, Kingdom of Eswatini | Swaziland Ms. Nathalie Ndongo-Seh has been serving as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in the Kingdom of Eswatini since December 2018. She was previously the Chief of Staff of the United Nations Office to the African Union (UNOAU) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Ms. Ndongo-Seh is a former Attorney-at-Law, who started her career with the United Nations in 2000 in East Timor as a Legal Officer. Over the past 19 years, she has accumulated a wide-ranging United Nations peacekeeping and political experience in Afghanistan, Liberia, Israel, Sudan, South Sudan, Burundi, and Ethiopia. She has worked in the fields of peace and security; justice and rule-of-law; governance; partnerships building; institution-building; resource mobilization; ethics, conduct and discipline; and management.Ms. Ndongo-Seh began her international career in the private sector in France, Cameroon and Ivory Coast. She holds a Bachelor’sDegree in Commercial Law; a Master’s Degree in International Law; and a postgraduate Degree in International Economic Law, all obtained from Pantheon-La Sorbonne University in Paris, France. She is the mother of Alexia-Raphaelle and Jayden Preston. Lectures by this speaker Monday, 2021-03-15 Robert Kweyunga Kwesiga is a graduate from Makerere University of Kampala with a Masters Degree in Social Sector Planning and Management. Currently, he is persuing a PHD at the University of Zimbabwe, Harare and writing a thesis “The Paradigm shift in Resource Mobilisation for Humanitarian work in Africa”.He holds post Graduate Diplomas in Project Planning and Management at the University of Zimbabwe, Harare and Education at Makerere University, Kampala. He graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Economics at Makerere University Kampala.After receiving his Education, Robert has taken on several leadership positions at both local and international levels. He has vast experience in working in a multi-cultural setting and people management skills. He is a multi-tasker and has passion for service, given an opportunity, Robert takes full responsibility and gets it done efficiently.He has significant experience in representation, policy formulation, lobbying and with proven ability to create strategic partnerships and has special bias in Fundraising for Humanity. His work with the International body of the Red Cross/Crescent family has earned him excellent ability to manage humanitarian work and has a wealth of experience for volunteerism.Currently, Robert is the Secretary General at Uganda Red Cross Society, a position he has held since March 2015. Before that, he had served as Managing Partner, Humanitarian Strategic Consult Limited from January 2014 – February 2015. He was Head of Region, Southern Africa - Danish Red Cross, Harare, Zimbabwe from September 2007 – December 2013. He was also Deputy Head of Region/Regional Programmes Coordinator – the Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Southern Africa Region (IFRC) Harare, Zimbabwe from May 2005 – August 2007.From July 1999 – May 2005, he was the Secretary General Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS), a position he took on after having been the Deputy Secretary General, Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) from January 1998 – June 1999.Previously, he had served as the Project Manager for a UNDP funded project at Uganda Red Cross Society from January 1996 to December 1997 and earlier on, he had been the Head of the HIV/AIDS control programme for Uganda Red Cross Society from January 1994 – December 1995. In January 1991 – December 1993, he was appointed as a Programme Officer for Uganda Red Cross Society after resigning as an Economist with Uganda Government which he took over from September 1989 – December 1990.Given that work background, Robert has served on several Boards as a leader. From 2003-2005, he served as Chairman, AIDS Information Centre Board of Trustees (a National Non-Governmental Organisation. He also served President, East African Red Cross Network (RCNET) from 1999 – 2005. In 2002-2005, he was a Board Member, Uganda Road Safety Council. He also served as a Task Force Member of the Uganda National Disaster Management Advisory Committee from 1999 – 2005. From 2001 – 2005, Robert was appointed Board Member for Uganda Blood Transfusion Services. Also served as a Board Member for Global Fund Country Coordinating Mechanism Board, Uganda from 2004 – 2005. From 2003-2005, he was a Member of the Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Secretary Generals Advisory Group and in which he developed the Federation Development Strategy 2010. He also served as a Member of the Danish Red Cross Task Force that developed the Danish Red Cross Partnership Strategy and the International Development Strategy 2011 – 2014.Besides work, Robert is a proud father of three children and is happily married to Hilda. He lives a good work life balance and is dedicated to his family and career. He loves playing Golf and is a Member of the Uganda Gold Club, a social group that is passionate about people’s growth and development. Lectures by this speaker Monday, 2021-03-15 HE Ovais Sarmad Assistant Secretary-General, Deputy Executive Secretary, UN Climate Change Secretariat, Bonn | United Arab Emirates Mr. Ovais Sarmad joined the United Nations Climate Change secretariat (UNFCCC) on1 September 2017.Mr. Sarmad supports the Executive Secretary in managing the operations of UNFCCCsecretariat and its staff and organizational development, advising on a range of issues relating tothe inter-governmental affairs and strategic planning.Previously he served as Chief of Staff/Chef de Cabinet at the International Organizationfor Migration (IOM) in Geneva. Mr. Sarmad worked in several management and policycapacities in IOM over a period of 27 years. Prior to IOM, he worked in the private and publicsectors in London, where he qualified as a Chartered Management Accountant (ACMA) andChartered Global Management Accountant (GCMA). He graduated from Osmania Universityin Hyderabad, India, as a Bachelor of Commerce.He is married to a Spanish national and has two boys. Lectures by this speaker Monday, 2021-03-15 HE Nawal Al Hosany Permanent Representative of the UAE to International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) | United Arab Emirates Dr Nawal Al-Hosany is the Permanent Representative of the UAE to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).Dr Al-Hosany’s career spans business and academia, both in the UAE and internationally. Dr. Al-Hosany served as the Deputy Director General of the Emirates Diplomatic Academy (EDA). Prior to this, she was the Executive Director of Sustainability at Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company, and the Director of the Zayed Future Energy Prize, the UAE’s annual global awards for renewable energy and sustainability.Highly regarded for her expert counsel, she has been invited to sit on several boards and intergovernmental bodies including the Board of Trustees of the Khalifa University of Science and Technology, the advisory board of the Payne Institute in Colorado School of Mines and serves as advisory Panel for the Momentum for Change initiative of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).Her professional achievements have been widely acknowledged through prestigious awards. In July 2018, Dr Al-Hosany was presented the “Doctor of letters Honoris Causa” from Keele University in the UK in recognition for her achievements in the field of sustainability. Dr Al-Hosany also received the “Arab Woman Award” and the “Emirates Business Women Award”.She graduated from the Faculty of Engineering at the UAE University in 1992 and obtained her PhD from Newcastle University in the UK in 2002.Dr Al-Hosany is also credited as one of the first two Emirati women to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest free-standing mountain in the world at 5,895 metres above sea-level. Lectures by this speaker Monday, 2021-03-15 Ms. Clare Dalton Head of Mission, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) UAE | United Arab Emirates Ms. Dalton is currently the ICRC's Head of Mission in the United Arab Emirates, a role she just started after spending four years at the ICRC’s Headquarters in Geneva as the Head of Humanitarian Diplomacy, ensuring the ICRC’s diplomacy in all its components revolve around its global policy and humanitarian diplomacy objectives. From 2013-2016, she was the ICRC's Humanitarian Action Advisor working on humanitarian policies alongside the United Nations in Geneva. She later took on the role of overseeing the work of the ICRC’s New York Delegation. Prior to this, Clare spent several years in the field with the ICRC occupying a variety of posts amid different contexts, including Angola, Iraq, Kenya, Nepal and Sudan. She has also worked with the British Red Cross and the United Nations Development Program. Clare has a BA in Anthropology from University College London and an MSc in Development Studies from SOAS. Lectures by this speaker Monday, 2021-03-15 Ms. Lois Quam Chief Executive Officer and President, Pathfinder International, Washington D.C. | USA Accomplished leader with a track record of leading transformative change in business, government, and non-profit organizations. Named three times to FORTUNE’s list of most influential women leaders in business.Distinguished thought leader in health care, the environment, and diversity with outstanding academic credentials.Strong revenue raiser with demonstrated results through public-private partnerships, philanthropy, and product and operational innovation.Health care innovator with a successful history of working with the Minnesota State Legislature to pass legislation-raising revenues. Lectures by this speaker Monday, 2021-03-15 Africa: Population Growth, Urbanization, Education and Employment Mr. Yannick Du Pont|Chief Executive Officer, Spark, Amsterdam Founder and director of SPARK, Yannick has been working in the field of higher education & economic development in post-conflict countries since 1994. With an MA in International Relations and Sociology from the University of Amsterdam, Yannick worked for the Netherlands Minister of Development Cooperation from 1996 to 1997. Later with the Dutch PAX; and the Development think-tank of the Dutch Labor Party, the Evert Vermeer Foundation, Yannick was engaged as researcher for the Netherlands Institute of International Relations “Clingendael” to evaluate the performance of the OSCE Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina (2000/2001). SPARK has programmes to support growth oriented SMEs and facilitate youth job creation in 17 fragile States in primarily East and West Africa, North Africa & Somalia and the Middle East (Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Iraq, Syria and Yemen). SPARK is implementing large scale programmes providing access to higher (vocational) education and jobs to refugees and host communities, particularly in the MENA region.Next to his work at Spark, Yannick du Pont also serves on the Board of the Max van der Stoel Foundation (Amsterdam) and Advisory Board of the Centre of Theory of Change (New York). Lectures by this speaker Tuesday, 2021-03-16 Dr. Luay Shabaneh Regional Director for the Arab States and North Africa, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) | United Arab Emirates Luay Shabaneh is the current Arab States Regional Director of UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, assuming hisduties since May 2016.A native of Palestine, he held a number of high-profilenational and international public service positions over thelast two decades - within the UN System, in government andin the multilateral arena - in the areas of official statistics,population census, population and development, monitoringand evaluation, programme management and advocacy.He began his professional career at the Palestine Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) wherehe served from 1994 to 2005, and was appointed as the second president of PCBS.He served as Chief Statistician of Palestine from 2005 until he began his career with theUnited Nations in 2009 serving first with the UNDP/UNCT and later with the UNFPA inIraq. In 2015 he joined the UNFPA Regional Office for Arab States in Cairo as the RegionalAdviser for Population Data and Policies in ASRO.Within the Arab region, he served as chair or board member in several regionalprofessional and research committees such as the Chair of the Statistical Committee ofthe Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), Chair of the ArabRegional Statistical Forum, and as board member in the following: the Arab Institute forTraining and Research in Statistics, the MENA Health Policy Forum, the PalestineEconomic Research Institute and the Arab Women Center for Training and Research.Luay holds a PhD in Applied Social Statistics from Lancaster University, UK, a Master’sDegree in Mathematical Statistics from the University of Jordan and a Bachelor of Sciencein Mathematics from Baghdad University. Lectures by this speaker Tuesday, 2021-03-16 Mr. Charles Allan Kwenin Regional Director of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) for Southern Africa | United Arab Emirates Charles Allan Kwenin is the Regional Director for Southern Africa of the UN Migration Agency – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) based in Pretoria, South Africa since October, 2017. Mr. Kwenin also serves as the Chair of the UN Regional Directors for Eastern and Southern Africa as well as the Chair for the UN Network on Migration for Eastern and Southern Africa. He also chairs the Covid-19 Task Team of SADC Ambassadors based in South Africa. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Kwenin served as the IOM Senior Regional Advisor for Africa (SSA) in the Office of the IOM Director General at the IOM Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland from September 2009 until August, 2017; where he provided strategic guidance and advice on both policy and operational issues on international migration in Africa to the African Permanent Missions in Geneva, IOM Regional and Country Offices in Africa. Mr. Kwenin has been very instrumental and spearheaded the launching the IGAD Regional Consultative Process (MiDIGAD), the Migration Dialogue for Central Africa (MIDCAS), the Migration Dialogue for COMESA (MIDCOM) and the Migration Dialogue for the Indian Ocean Commission (MiDIOCC). In coordination with the African Union and the RECs, Mr. Kwenin has been one of the Key Architects of the Pan African Forum on Migration (PAFoM); a platform for dialogue on migration to promote inter-state dialogue and intra-regional cooperation on migration. PAFoM convenes all the African Regional Consultative Processes (RCPs), Member States, Civil Society, Private Sector, Academia and the Development Partners for exchanged of information and experience for common understanding and policy coherence on migration in Africa.Mr. Kwenin served in Addis Ababa from 2004-2009 as the IOM Chief of Mission to Ethiopia and the IOM Representative to the African Union Commission, UNECA and IGAD where he was very instrumental in drafting, advocacy and adoption of various continental and Regional migration policy documents including; the AU Migration Policy Framework for Africa, the African Common Position on Migration and Development, the Ouagadougou Plan of action to combat trafficking in human beings especially women and children, the AU Diaspora Declaration and many others with active engagement with the African Diaspora on issues related to both policy guidelines and frameworks for migrant remittances. In previous capacities, Mr. Kwenin served as the IOM Regional Head of Programmes for East and Central Africa at the IOM Regional Office in Nairobi, Kenya from 2001 – 2004. He also served as the IOM Chief of Mission in Uganda from 1996-2001; and IOM Programme and Liaison Officer (EU & ACP) in Brussels from 1992 – 1996. Prior to joining IOM in 1992, Mr. Kwenin worked as Economic Planning Office for the Ministry of Finance & Economic Planning in Ghana and a Teaching Assistant at the University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, Ghana. Mr. Kwenin holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration and Management and Post-graduate Diploma in Development Policy from the State University of Antwerp, Belgium. He holds a Bachelors Degree (B.Sc-Hons) in Development Planning from the University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana. Lectures by this speaker Tuesday, 2021-03-16 HE Jutta Urpilainen European Commissioner for International Partnerships | United Arab Emirates As European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Ms Jutta Urpilainen oversees the European Commission’s work on international cooperation and sustainable development.Before joining the Commission, Ms Urpilainen served as a Member of the Finnish Parliament from 2003 to 2019. In 2008, she became the first woman leader of the Social Democratic Party of Finland. From 2011 to 2014, she served as Finland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister. During that time, she became closely involved in development issues, joining the Development Committee of the World Bank Group and IMF and chairing the Finnish National Commission on Sustainable Development. She served as the Foreign Minister’s Special Representative on Mediation (2017-19) and chaired the Finnish National Commission for UNESCO (2015-18). Lectures by this speaker Tuesday, 2021-03-16 KEYNOTE ADDRESS “Humanitarian-Development Nexus – shifting from delivering aid to ending need” HE Ahunna Eziakonwa|Assistant Secretary-General; Director, Regional Bureau for Africa, UNDP HE Ahunna Eziakonwa Assistant Secretary-General; Director, Regional Bureau for Africa, UNDP | USA Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa is a leading development and humanitarian specialist with over 20 years’ experience in the United Nations, culminating in her 2018 appointment by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to serve as UNDP Assistant Administrator and Director, Regional Bureau for Africa (RBA), at the rank of Assistant Secretary-General. She leads an over 1-billion-dollar development programme for Sub Saharan Africa, and a team in 46 countries supporting African Governments to remove structural impediments to sustainable development. Her vision for Africa is captured in the document: “Africa’s Promise: The UNDP Renewed Strategic Offer in Africa” which applies the opportunity lens to Africa’s development trajectory. RBA’s regional and country teams are now working with global and regional partners, to rapidly rejuvenate programmes. She has established innovative initiatives such as the Africa Influencers for Development (AI4D) – a powerful coalition of leaders in business, academia & the arts steering Africa’s development agenda to ensure a future out of dependency and beyond aid by seeing that Africa’s Money works for African Development. She created the UNDP-Tony Elumelu Foundation Partnership to empower 100,000 youth in Africa. Her brainchild, the Africa Young Women Leaders – a joint initiative with the African Union Commission, unleashed an outstanding corp of women leaders who are being nurtured across UNDP to drive change in Africa. Ms. Eziakonwa provides technical leadership to both the UNDP Africa and the UN system-wide socioeconomic response and recovery on COVID 19 in Africa. Further, she (Co) Chairs the UN Development Group in Africa – a body of Agency, Funds and Programmes and UN entities responsible for transforming the Secretary General’s vision of UN reform into action. This entails optimizing regional assets to offer a stronger value proposition to Africa.Ms. Eziakonwa’s astute political acumen, communication skills and peace-building attributes advanced UN ideals supporting governments to navigate the pursuit of development amidst complex political and economic crises. This was evident during the over 10 years in which she led UN Country Teams in various nations as UN Resident Coordinator, Humanitarian Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative). In Ethiopia, she oversaw UN support for the transition to a new political dispensation including convening the first ever Conference on Peace and Reconciliation at the height of political tension in 2016. Ms. Eziakonwa proffered lasting solutions to break cycles of humanitarian emergencies in Ethiopia’s lowlands through comprehensive strategies. In Uganda, she led the UN effort at political dialogue – deepening democratic culture and strengthening emphasis on governance. The documentary film she initiated, commissioned, and guided on production: “A Film for Northern Uganda”; increased visibility and support for foreign investment in the region. It was selected for several international festivals and nominated for Best Feature Documentary, Best Cinematography and Best Soundtrack at The African Film Festival in Dallas, Texas. In Lesotho, she oversaw the political mediation that led to a peaceful transition of power in 2012, in an environment of complexity and volatility; and delivered impact-driven development programming on local government, disaster preparedness and HIV/AIDS.As Chief of Africa at the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Ms. Eziakonwa oversaw 15 operations covering West, East and Central Africa on UN system response to natural disasters and complex emergencies and transitions from relief to recovery. Other senior positions held in the field were in Liberia (Head of Office a.i) and Sierra Leone (Deputy Chief). Before joining the UN, she held senior positions in civil society organizations advocating for the rights of women and youth. Lectures by this speaker Tuesday, 2021-03-16 HE Eynat Shlein Head of MASHAV, Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation; Deputy Director General, Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs | United Arab Emirates Ambassador Eynat Shlein is the Head of MASHAV- Israel's Agency for International Development Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.Born and raised in Israel, she joined the Foreign Service as a career diplomat in 1992, specializing in the Middle East region, Israeli-Arab relations and American affairs, promoting dialog and understanding in the region. 2019-2020, Deputy Director General for African Affairs; 2018-2019 - Special Envoy for Community Outreach, North American Affairs Division; 2015-2017 - Ambassador of Israel to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan; 2015-2010 - Head of Bureau for International affairs in the Center for Political Research in the ministry of Foreign Affairs, and from 2014 also the Deputy Director of the center. In these capacities, she supervised the research work of the center's analysts, focusing on international affairs and their impact on the Middle East; 2008-2010 - Director of Maghreb, Syria and Lebanon affairs; 2003-2008- Minister-Counselor for Middle Eastern affairs at the embassy of Israel in Washington DC, following US foreign policy vis-à-vis the Middle East, as well as bilateral relations with relevant countries; 2000-2003 - senior analyst, Center for Political Research, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; 1997-1999- Consul at the Consulate General of Israel to New England, in Boston, MA; 1995-1997 - Second Secretary for Political affairs at the embassy of Israel in Amman, Jordan, as well as the acting Commercial Attaché.Ms. Shlein holds the career rank of an Ambassador in the Foreign Service. Education: Master in Public Administration (2000), Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA. Major area of concentration: Negotiation and Conflict Resolution; Bachelor in Middle Eastern History, magna cum laude (1991), Tel Aviv University, Israel Sessions by this speaker Monday, 2021-03-15 “Harnessing Capacity Building and Foreign Assistance in Covid-19 times: Continuity and Innovative Solutions” Mr. Claus Sorensen Senior Adviser on Resilience, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response, Norwegian Refugee Council | Denmark Until 2016 Mr. Sørensen was the Director General for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection in the European Commission (ECHO). Before that he held the post as Director General of Communication.He is a career diplomat in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. His first posting from 1981 was at the Danish Delegation to the OECD (Paris). In 1988-89 he was trade and finance councilor at the Danish Permanent Representation to the EU in Brussels.In 1990 he moved to the Executive arm in the Commission under the lead of Jacques DELORS and joined the Cabinet of Vice-president Christophersen working on the EURO, relations with Eastern Europe, the Enlargement with Sweden, Austria and Finland as well as Social and Environmental issues. As Sweden became member of the EU in 1995 he joined their first Cabinet and worked on the fight against organized crime, social and labor market issues and the further enlargement of the EU to the East.Between 1999 and 2011, Mr. Sørensen held top management positions within the European Commission, most notably Director for International Environmental issues, Head of Cabinet for the Commissioner for Agriculture and later Head of Cabinet for the Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian assistance. He is a board member of NRC, Institut Bioforce, Center for Global Development etc.Mr Sørensen has a Master of Economic Science from Aarhus University and is regularly lecturing at the University of Lund, Kings College and Copenhagen. Sessions by this speaker Sunday, 2021-03-07 Mr. Khaled Khalifa Senior Advisor and Representative to the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries, UNHCR; | United Arab Emirates Mr. Khaled Khalifa has served as the Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to the States of the Gulf Cooperation Council since 2016 and serves as a senior advisor to the High Commissioner for Refugees on Islamic philanthropy. He is a professional international expert with 20 years of experience in relief and development and has led humanitarian operations in various settings of natural disasters, complex emergencies and armed conflicts. Khaled has held several senior managerial positions with major international organizations including United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Danish International Development Agency, United States Agency for International Development, and Islamic Relief Worldwide, in a number of countries including Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Indonesia, Malaysia, Libya, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates, Switzerland, and KSA. Khaled holds an MSc in Sustainable Development from the University of London, an MA degree in English Literature & Humanities from Egypt, and a Project Management Diploma from Aalborg Technical School, Denmark. He is a well-known international trainer in disaster management, and a member of the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination team (UNDAC). Lectures by this speaker Tuesday, 2021-03-16 Dr. Linda Adhiambo Oucho Executive-Director, African Migration and Development Policy Centre, Nairobi | United Arab Emirates Dr. Linda Adhiambo Oucho is an established migration expert and Executive Director of the African Migration and Development Policy Centre (AMADPOC), a independent research think tank leading in policy-based research on migration and development issues in Eastern Africa and beyond. Dr. Oucho holds a PhD in Ethnic Relations from the University of Warwick, where she specialized in international migration of African Women. She returned to Kenya after 16 years abroad to contribute to research activities in Eastern Africa with the aim of influencing policy change on migration dynamics based on evidence. Since her return, she has conducted research on internal regional migration patterns within Eastern Africa including projects related to poverty, climate change, youth-employment-migration nexus as well as diaspora return migration and reintegration among others. She led her team to develop the first Migration Profile of Kenya (2015) that is used by government to review policy approaches and responses related to migration. In addition, she provides advisory services to other African countries such as Malawi, Uganda and Kenya especially in terms of developing their national migration policies in line with the guiding principles outlined in the African Union, Migration Policy Framework for Africa (2018). Dr. Oucho works in partnership with international institutions including University of Ghana, Open University and University of Uganda among others. She currently works closely with the Government of Kenya, Uganda and Malawi, assisting key stakeholders to understand their migration profiles and supporting efforts to develop policies on migration. She has also undertaken consultancies with a number of international agencies including African Union, IOM, ICMPD, UNDP, GIZ, FAO, IDRC and FES among others. Recently, also facilitates expert workshops sharing her expertise in the East African region and assisting stakeholders to understand the dynamic nature of migration in the region. Furthermore, she serves as an editorial board member for the International Migration Review (IMR) and is a Migration Research and Publishing High Level Advisor for the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). She is a member of the Technical Working Group on Counter Trafficking in Kenya and an active member of the National Coordination Mechanism for Migration (NCM) led by the Government of Kenya in partnership with non-state actors. Lectures by this speaker Tuesday, 2021-03-16 HE Khaled Sherif Vice-President for Regional Development, Integration and Business Delivery, African Development Bank Group (AfDB) | United Arab Emirates Since November 2016, Dr. Khaled Sherif is the Vice-President for Regional Development, Integration and Business Delivery at the African Development Bank Group (AfDB). He oversees the Bank’s sovereign operations via five regional hubs – North, South, East, West, and Central – 31 country offices and five liaison offices. In this capacity, Dr. Sherif also guides the Bank’s regional integration agenda, notably the support to the African Continental Free Trade Area, and its engagement in the continent’s fragile situations. Currently, Vice-President Sherif oversees the implementation of the Bank’s COVID-19 Rapid Response Facility.An Egyptian national, Dr. Sherif is a highly respected and experienced economist and manager with more 28 years of experience within the African Development Bank and the World Bank, spanning strategic, operational and technical expertise in development and development finance. He has deep knowledge and extensive experience in project development, portfolio management and regional operations management.Prior to joining the African Development Bank, Dr. Sherif was the World Bank’s Chief Financial/Administrative Officer for the Africa Region. Under his leadership, the Africa Region doubled its volume of annual lending from under $4 billion to over $8 billion. Dr. Sherif helped to create the Regional Integration Department in Africa for the World Bank and was responsible for strategic planning and policy development across the World Bank’s operations in Africa, and brings along wide experience in managing operations in Middle East, North Africa, South and East Asia. Dr. Sherif studied Economics and Public Policy, earning his Bachelor’s (1981) and Master’s degree in Economics (1983) and a second Master’s degree in Political Science from the American University of Cairo (1989), and a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Management from Boston University in 1986. Sessions by this speaker Tuesday, 2021-03-16 Prof. Gibril Faal OBE, JP, Director GK Partners; Visiting Professor Institute of Global Affairs, London School of Economics | United Arab Emirates Professor Gibril Faal is a multi-disciplinary business and development executive. He is the co-founder and director of GK Partners specialising in socially responsible business models, sustainable development and programme implementation. He is the first visiting professor in practice at the Institute of Global Affairs, London School of Economics (LSE), vice chair of Bond (UK), and council member of Carnegie African Diaspora Program (New York). Gibril is a former magistrate, former chairman of AFFORD-UK, and the founding director of ADEPT (Brussels). He has worked as a technical expert with the United Nations, World Bank, University of Oxford, governments of Germany, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, and other institutions across the world. He served as GFMD civil society co-chair (2014) and grand rapporteur (2017), and overarching expert for the Global Compact for Migration. He has addressed the UN General Assembly several times and been appointed to various boards by UK government ministers. Gibril has previously served as special adviser to the government of Moldova, and is the founder and director of the Migration and Sustainable Development in The Gambia (MSDG) project. In 2014, Gibril was appointed OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for services to international development. Lectures by this speaker Tuesday, 2021-03-16 SPECIAL PRESENTATION “IHC Responses to the Coronavirus Pandemic on the African Continent” Mr. Giuseppe Saba|CEO, International Humanitarian City, Dubai Appointed as CEO of Dubai’s International Humanitarian City in early March 2017, Giuseppe Saba brings more than 34 years of extensive experience in the humanitarian field with the United Nations and international organizations.Saba is a leading logistics and support services expert. He is the founder of the United Nations Humanitarian Response Depot Network (UNHRD); In 2000, he set up under the UN World Food Programme (WFP) the first UNHRD in Brindisi, south-east of Italy, as a consortium of UN Agencies and international humanitarian organizations, including governmental and non-governmental entities.Following the lessons learned from the emergency response to the Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004, he developed and expanded UNHRD into the current network by opening hubs and negotiating agreements with various hosting governments in Dubai, Malaysia, Ghana, Spain and Panama. As a result of his efforts, UNHRD became one of the largest international humanitarian platforms of 90 partners approximately operating in emergency preparedness and response.Saba is an Italian citizen, born in 1951 in Sardinia. He is married and has two daughters. Since his retirement from the UN-WFP in 2013, he has served as a consultant to various humanitarian agencies including the Norwegian Refugee Council and the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management (AHA Centre). Lectures by this speaker Tuesday, 2021-03-16 Dr. Mukesh Kapila Professor of Global Health and Humanitarian Affairs, University of Manchester; Former Under Secretary-General, IFRC | Switzerland Mukesh Kapila is Professor of Global Health and Humanitarian Affairs at the University of Manchester. He has extensive experience in global health, humanitarian affairs, conflict and security issues, international development, human rights and diplomacy, as well as social entrepreneurship. He has qualifications in medicine, public health, and development from the Universities of Oxford and London. Professor Kapila has served in senior leadership functions at the UK Government Department for International Development, and at the United Nations, World Health Organization, and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. He was also Special Adviser to the first-ever UN World Humanitarian Summit in 2016. He has advised many multilateral institutions including the World Bank and several UN agencies, as well as international NGOs. He has served on several Boards, including as Chair of Minority Rights Group International, and of Nonviolent Peaceforce which was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2016. His other roles have included Founder CEO of the Defeat-NCD Partnership. Currently he is developing a new Digital Global Health Initiative. His awards include a CBE from Queen Elizabeth II, the Global Citizenship Award of the Institute for Global Leadership, the “I Witness!” award for human rights, and a special resolution of the California State Legislature for “lifetime achievements and meritorious service”. His memoir “Against a Tide of Evil” was shortlisted for the 2013 Best Non-Fiction Book award. His forthcoming book is entitled “Not a Stranger to Kindness”. Lectures by this speaker Tuesday, 2021-03-16 Dr Asha Mohammed is the Secretary General of Kenya Red Cross Society. She has over 25 years diverse experience working within Humanitarian and Government institutions. She has served in different capacities within the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement including ; Movement Partnerships Advisor for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Geneva, Head of Operations for International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Africa Zone office in Johannesburg, Head of Eastern Africa zone office in Nairobi and Deputy Secretary General and Head of Programmes in Kenya Red Cross, among others. Dr. Asha also served as Chair of the IFRC Health Commission at global level and a chair of the RCRC Pan African Coordination Team that is responsible for monitoring of commitments made by African National Societies. Before her role in the Red Cross she served in various capacities in the Ministry of Health and National AIDS Control Council in Kenya. Dr Asha has been instrumental in reshaping the strategic direction and growth of the KRCS Programming and institutional strengthening especially in building strong Red Cross branches as the fundamental units of delivering the services of the National Society. She is passionate about creating vibrant, authentic, and sustainable communities. She has led integrated and complex humanitarian and development programmes responding to community needs while exhibiting a flair of innovation, inclusion of marginalized groups, environmental sensitivity and emerging issues. She strongly believes that the most successful projects involve meaningful public engagement ensuring community voices are heard. She believes in the power of women and young people.She holds a Master’s degree in International Executive Management, a Master’s degree in Public Health and a Bachelor’s degree in Dental Surgery. Sessions by this speaker Monday, 2021-03-08 Dr. Mehari Taddele Maru Professor, School of Transnational Governance and Migration Policy Centre at the European University Institute in Florence, Italy | United Arab Emirates Dr Mehari Taddele Maru is currently Part-time Professor at the School of Transnational Governance and Migration Policy Centre at the European University Institute in Florence, Italy. A graduate of Harvard and Oxford universities, he holds fellowships in prestigious academic programmes at various think-tanks and institutions of higher learning. With more than 20 years of management and professional working experience in multilateral bodies, he combines research excellence with a deep knowledge of multilateral systems. Dr Mehari member of the Technical Committee of the Tana High-Level Security Forum (modelled on, and uniquely related to the Munich Security Forum for Africa), and he worked with the African Union Commission (AUC), the Institute for Security Studies, and the Institute for Peace and Security Studies at Addis Ababa University. Dr Mehari drafted various African Union and IGAD policy blueprints on humanitarian effectiveness and governance, migration and development, and peace and security. These include the AU Border Governance Strategy; the Common African Position on Humanitarian Effectiveness; the Common African Position on Migration and Development; Framework for AU Cooperation with Regional Economic Communities (AU-RECs); IGAD State of the Region Report, the IGAD Peace and Security Strategy 2020, and the State of Peace and Security in IGAD, and IGAD Free Movement Protocol among many others. Lectures by this speaker Tuesday, 2021-03-16 Dr. Jebamalai Vinanchiarachi Principal Adviser, Knowledge Management Associates (Austria); Former Principal Adviser to the Director-General, UNIDO | Austria Dr. Jebamalai Vinanchiarachi is a sustainable development expert, with over 30 years of experience in the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Vienna, Austria, where he served in various capacities and eventually retired as the principal adviser to the Director General of UNIDO. He has to his credit several degrees, with distinctions. He has authored several journal articles, books and reports, highlighting the changing patterns of sustainable development, with a focus on economic efficiency, ecological compliance and social inclusion. His recent books include Myths and Realities of East Asian Model of Development, India’s Time, Rethinking Development Realities, Intervene to Industrialise, and The Poverty of Economic Thinking. A book on his personal life, penned by him, is titled In Joy and Sorrow. Forthcoming books co-authored by him include Positioning Africa in the context of the new industrial revolution, and Myths and Realities of Indian Economy.. He won several awards: Gold Medal from St. Joseph’s College, for being the best outgoing student; UNIDO Director DG award for outstanding performance; Life-time achievement award by various organizations; “dynamic Indian of the Millennium”; and a commemorative award for his distinguished contribution to the international community by KG. the Auckland-based Indo-New Zealand Business Association in 2018. Lectures by this speaker Tuesday, 2021-03-16 Dr. Caroline Kisia Former Executive Director, Action Africa Help International, Nairobi | Kenya Caroline Kisia is the former Executive Director of Action Africa Help International (AAH-I). She is a Physician from Kenya, with a passion for working with disadvantaged communities. She has worked in remote rural communities, many of them conflict-affected. With experience in the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors, Caroline has played a key leadership role in health, humanitarian, and development matters in Eastern Africa, including working with large refugee populations and their hosting communities. She currently oversees AAH-I’s humanitarian and development programs in South Sudan, Uganda, Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya and Zambia.Caroline is a graduate of the International Masters in Health Management and Leadership (IMHL) from McGill University, and holds another Masters degree in Public Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Throughout her career, Caroline has played an integral role in organizational management and leadership, strategy formulation, institutional development, program planning and delivery, knowledge and innovation management, capacity building, and health research. Sessions by this speaker Sunday, 2021-03-07 Dr. Jakkie Cilliers Head, African Futures and Innovation, Institute for Security Studies, Pretoria | South Africa Dr. Jakkie Cilliers is the founder of the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), a regional think- and do-tank with offices in Dakar, Addis Ababa, Nairobi and Pretoria. After stepping down as executive director in 2015 he now serves as the chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Institute and head of the African Futures and Innovation programme at the Pretoria office of the ISS. He is an Extraordinary Professor in the Centre of Human Rights and the Department of Political Sciences, Faculty Humanities at the University of Pretoria and a well-known author and analyst. Dr Cilliers has presented numerous papers at conferences and seminars. He serves on the editorial boards of the South African Journal of International Affairs and GLOBAL TRENDS.Analysis in Germany. His interests relate to big picture analysis and issues around the long-term future of South Africa and Africa. His most recent book is Africa First! Igniting a growth revolution (www.africafirst.info). Lectures by this speaker Tuesday, 2021-03-16 Mr. Amin Awad Senior Fellow, Advanced Leadership Initiative, Harvard University, Cambridge, United States of America | USA Amin Awad is currently engaged as a fellow at Harvard University on issues related to vital sectors and drivers for economic and social change in fragile states and states in transition.Prior to this, Mr. Awad served in dual capacity as United Nations Regional Refugee Coordinator for the Syria and Iraq Situations, and as Director of the Bureau for the Middle East and North Africa of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Geneva, Switzerland. In this capacity, he led the UN Refugee Agency’s humanitarian response in the Middle East and North Africa. He coordinated over 9,000 staff and 270 organizations, in close partnership with the respective governments, delivering protection and humanitarian aid to some 20 million displaced persons in the region and in the context of some of the most severe displacement crises of the century. Prior to this, he also worked extensively in the Middle East, including in Yemen during the Somali boat people crisis in 1992, and in Iraq and Jordan, during the first Gulf War in 1990-1991. He again worked in the capacity of Regional Coordinator for the Iraq crisis during the second Gulf War in 2003. Lectures by this speaker Wednesday, 2021-03-17 Umra Omar is from Pate Island in the Lamu archipelago and was raised in Kenya. She went on to earn degrees from two prestigious American universities. After completing graduate school and working in Washington, D.C. Umra decided cubicle life was not for her. Shereturned to Lamu to explore her purpose and learned about a life-saving medical aid project that had been abandoned because of security concerns.In 2015, she launched Safari Doctors. The following year, Umra was selected a CNN Hero for her work. In 2017, she won an Africa Leaders 4 Change award, featured in Business Daily’s Top40Under40 Women, was nominated for the most influential person of African descent(MIPAD) award, and won the United Nations in Kenya Person of The Year Award. In 2018, Umra became a TedxYouth speaker and delivered the keynote address for the Aurora Dialogues in Armenia.In 2019, she was among three finalists for the Robert Burns Humanitarian Award. Umra is also is an Aurora Forum Goodwill Ambassador and World Economic Forum Young Global Leader. Lectures by this speaker Wednesday, 2021-03-17 Mr. Claus Sorensen Senior Adviser on Resilience, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response, Norwegian Refugee Council | Denmark Until 2016 Mr. Sørensen was the Director General for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection in the European Commission (ECHO). Before that he held the post as Director General of Communication.He is a career diplomat in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. His first posting from 1981 was at the Danish Delegation to the OECD (Paris). In 1988-89 he was trade and finance councilor at the Danish Permanent Representation to the EU in Brussels.In 1990 he moved to the Executive arm in the Commission under the lead of Jacques DELORS and joined the Cabinet of Vice-president Christophersen working on the EURO, relations with Eastern Europe, the Enlargement with Sweden, Austria and Finland as well as Social and Environmental issues. As Sweden became member of the EU in 1995 he joined their first Cabinet and worked on the fight against organized crime, social and labor market issues and the further enlargement of the EU to the East.Between 1999 and 2011, Mr. Sørensen held top management positions within the European Commission, most notably Director for International Environmental issues, Head of Cabinet for the Commissioner for Agriculture and later Head of Cabinet for the Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian assistance. He is a board member of NRC, Institut Bioforce, Center for Global Development etc.Mr Sørensen has a Master of Economic Science from Aarhus University and is regularly lecturing at the University of Lund, Kings College and Copenhagen. Sessions by this speaker Sunday, 2021-03-07 Mr. Sean Granville-Ross Regional Director for Africa, Mercy Corps | United Arab Emirates Sean Granville-Ross is the Regional Director for Mercy Corps covering Africa. He is a specialist in economic development and a seasoned field leader with 20 years of experience working in the private and non-profit sectors.Granville-Ross has been with Mercy Corps for nineteen years. He first worked with the agency’s team in Kosovo. He also has served as regional director in East Asia, country director in Mongolia, Indonesia and Uganda. He currently is based in Nairobi, Kenya.Mr. Granville-Ross is an economic and agricultural livestock development specialist and a seasoned field leader, with more than 15 years of experience working in both the private and non-profit sectors. Born and raised in Kenya, Mr. Granville-Ross has intimate knowledge of East Africa with specialization in agriculture and livestock production in the tropics. As Regional Director for Mercy Corps, he currently oversees a portfolio of $195 million in complex programming. His guidance and knowledge as Regional Director has helped Mercy Corps advance sustainable and quality agricultural and economic development, pastoralist livelihoods and financial services programs, climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, water and sanitation and health interventions, government partnerships and capacity-building across the region. He is fully conversant in all USG, DFID, EC and other donor funding regulations, ensuring program compliance and adherence to policies and procedures. Mr. Granville-Ross brings a global track record in successful program design, monitoring and evaluation and management that encompasses economic and market development projects, and sustainable livelihoods in Africa, the Caribbean, the Balkans, Mongolia and Indonesia. He has specific experience administering multiple, complex subgrants, enhancing and diversifying value chains and working on community mobilization and civil society programming. Mr. Granville-Ross is also a well-respected manager who is able to set goals, delegate responsibilities, enhance communications and successfully foster dynamic, effective working teams that span wide geographic locations. He has effectively built constituencies between government, civic and private sector actors in support of development goals. He is a visionary tactician, able to see the big picture and establish broad strategy while being attentive to individual program needs and constraints.Granville-Ross grew up in Kenya and has worked there as well as in the Dominican Republic, the Balkans, Mongolia and Indonesia. He speaks English, Spanish, Kiswahili and Indonesian. He earned a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Newcastle University and a master’s degree in livestock production from the University of Edinburgh. Lectures by this speaker Wednesday, 2021-03-17 Ms. Lola Castro Regional Director for Southern Africa and Indian Ocean States, World Food Programme (WFP) | South Africa Lola Castro has spent her professional career working in the international humanitarian development field. She joined the United Nations World Food Programme in 1994, and in that time has served as Head of Sub-Office in Mozambique (1994-1996); Sub-Office Coordinator in Rwanda (1996-1998); Emergency Officer in Sudan (1998-2000); Head of Programme in Guatemala (2000-2002); Deputy Country Director in Malawi (2002-2006); Country Director in Georgia (2006-2009) and Armenia (2008-2009); and Representative and Country Director in Mozambique (2009-June 2013), and Representative and Country Director in Pakistan (2013 – 2016), Deputy Regional Director (2016 – 2017), before assuming the position of Southern Africa and Indian Ocean States Regional Director in 2018 to date.Prior to her assignments in Southern Africa and Indian Ocean States, she was Representative and Country Director in Pakistan, a position she held since 2016, where she oversaw an extensive portfolio of work addressing sustainable food and nutrition security. Ms. Castro and her team worked closely with the Government of Pakistan to promote local procurement and sustainable food fortification and to strengthen disaster preparedness and response through capacity development of Pakistan’s disaster management authorities at the federal, provincial and district levels, alongside the construction of a countrywide network of logistics warehouses and Humanitarian Response Facilities.During her time as Representative and Country Director in Mozambique, she oversaw the implementation of the new UN Development Assistance Framework, chaired the Economic Development Results Group and the Humanitarian Country Team Working Group. She worked in close collaboration with the Government of Mozambique on the development of resilience strategies; improving Early Warning Systems and response mechanisms; and advancing productive and social safety nets using innovative technologies like cash.Between 2006 and 2009, Ms. Castro worked as the Representative and Country Director in Georgia and Armenia. In this capacity, she was responsible for WFP’s activities in both countries, focusing on rehabilitating rural infrastructure for sustainable food security, and in Georgia, responding to food security needs resulting from the 2008 South Ossetia conflict.Prior to joining WFP, Ms. Castro worked for UNHCR in Malawi, and as a Trade Advisor and Market Analyst for the Spanish Foreign Service in Cameroon and Nigeria.Ms. Castro is a Spanish national from the Canary Islands. She holds a BSc in Political Science and International Relations from the University Complutense in Madrid, and a Master in Development and Cooperation from the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation in Madrid. Lectures by this speaker Wednesday, 2021-03-17 HE Mbaranga Gasarabwe Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Minusma and Resident/ Humanitarian Coordinator, Mali | Mali In May 2015, Ms. Mbaranga Gasarabwe was appointed Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for MINUSMA and Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Mali. In this capacity, she is responsible for the coordination of humanitarian and recovery assistance throughout the country. Ms. Gasarabwe has long experience working in emerging as well as conflict countries. In Mali, she plays the lead role to coordinate humanitarian response. In addition to humanitarian dimension, Ms Gasarabwe is managing a large portfolio of stabilization and recovery, security sector reform., anti-mines management, Justice and corrections as well as Electoral system. Prior to this, she worked as the Assistant Secretary-General for the Department of Safety and Security in New York, managing issues of safety and security for UN offices around the world. Before joining the Secretariat, she served in various capacities with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for over 20 years, amassing extensive experience in international development, humanitarian, peace and security issues. Ms. Gasarabwe served in Mali, Guinea, Djibouti, and Benin as Resident Coordinator, Humanitarian Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative. Across these varied settings, she effectively engaged with governance, development and humanitarian challenges and led efforts to improve democratic governance, implement economic reforms, coordinate humanitarian interventions, advocate for humanitarian principles and facilitate delivery of services to vulnerable and conflict affected populations. In Djibouti, she worked effectively with the Arab League and the African Union counterparts and explored opportunities to further liaise with Arab nations in the Middle East, building solid partnerships with the Islamic Development Bank and Kuwait Fund, among others. She served as Chief, ad interim, of the Central and East African region in UNDP’s New York Headquarters, Regional Bureau for Africa. She managed various issues relating to policy dialogue, reinforcement of government institutions, crisis management and formulation of rehabilitation and recovery frameworks for post-crisis countries in East, Central and West Africa, in close collaboration with the UN Departments of Peacekeeping Operations and Political Affairs and the Security Council. Prior to working for the United Nations, Ms Gasarabwe worked as consultant for organizations such as the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the World Bank. Ms. Gasarabwe, a native of Rwanda, holds a Master of Economics from the University of Burundi and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Arthur D. Little School of Management, now known as the Hult International Business School in Cambridge, Massachusetts/USA. Lectures by this speaker Wednesday, 2021-03-17 Dr. Chibuzo Okonta President, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) West Africa | United Arab Emirates Dr Chibuzo Okonta is president of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) West Africa. Originally from Nigeria, he joined MSF in 2005 and has worked with MSF’s emergency medical teams across the region. Here, he calls on practitioners from the African continent to own the narrative of the current COVID-19 pandemic and take advantage of Africa’s experience of outbreaks in order to mount a tailored response. Lectures by this speaker Wednesday, 2021-03-17 Dr. Ibrahim Soce Fall Assistant Director-General for Emergency Response, World Health Organization | South Africa Doctor Ibrahima Socé Fall is the Assistant Director General for emergencies response. He was formallythe Regional Emergencies Director for WHO in the African Region. Dr has worked as WHORepresentative in Mali before being appointed by the UN Secretary General as Ebola Crisis Managerand Head of UN mission for Ebola UNMEER in Mali in November 2014. He returned to WHO in March2015 as Director of the Health Security and Emergencies Cluster in the Regional Office after asuccessful mission in leading partners’ support to interrupting EVD transmission in Mali. He largelycontributed the reform of WHO’s work in emergencies from design to implementation following hiscontribution to ending Ebola in West Africa.Dr. Fall was WHO Representative in Mali in the midst of the political and humanitarian crisis whenWHO needed strong leadership and expertise to deal with complex emergencies. Prior to joining Mali,Dr. Fall was Regional Advisor in the WHO Regional Office for Africa in charge of strategic planning forthe malaria program as well as chair of Roll Back Malaria strategic planning working group at globallevel. He also coordinated capacity building for countries to access financing of the Global Fund tofight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. Dr. Fall joined WHO in November 2003 as coordinator of themalaria inter‐country support teams in the African Region.Dr. Fall also served as a member of the experts group that led the introduction and implementationof the Roll Back Malaria global partnership which was launched in 1998 by WHO, UNICEF, UNDP andthe World Bank. He was also member of the team that produced the first World Malaria Report in2005 and subsequently until 2013.Before joining WHO, Dr Fall has occupied many positions in Senegal including head of epidemics andcommunicable diseases control, immunization at provincial level, Member of the National malariacontrol program steering committee and Lecturer in Public Health at the Dakar UniversityDr. Fall was trained as a military physician and has over 25 years’ experience in medical practice andPublic Health. He has earned a doctorate in medicine (Dr Med), a Master’s in Public Health (MPH) fromDakar University (UCAD) and a doctorate in Public Health (PhD) jointly from Tulane University, PaysonCenter for International Development in the USA and UCAD, a Master of Science (MSc) in InternationalDevelopment from Tulane University and a post‐graduate diploma in tropical medicine andepidemiology in France at Aix‐Marseille University and the Institute of Tropical Medicine of the FrenchArmy (IMTSSA Pharo). Dr. Fall is also a fellow of the Faculty of Public Health of the Royal College ofPhysicians of the UK (FFPH). Lectures by this speaker Wednesday, 2021-03-17 Ms. Chiara Scanagatta South Sudan Programme Manager, Cuamm Doctors with Africa, Padova, Italy | Italy Chiara Scanagatta obtained a MSc in Public Health in Developing Countries at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. She is working with CUAMM since 2008. After three years in Angola as Project Manager and Area Coordinator, she has moved to South Sudan, where she has been based for four years as Country Director. Then she has been appointed as Senior Program Manager, supporting CUAMM intervention in the field. Amongst her tasks, the preparation of proposals for and the management of grants issued by a wide range of institutional and private donors, mobilized to sustain humanitarian, resilience and development programs. She has gained comprehensive experience regarding emergency, relief and recovery funding mechanisms and their interaction with local authorities and international stakeholders at different level Lectures by this speaker Wednesday, 2021-03-17 Mr. Mamadi Diakite Special Adviser for Security, Humanitarian Affairs and Fragile Countries, UNAIDS , Geneva | Switzerland Mr. Mamadi DIAKITE is an international lawyer specialised in Human Rights, Humanitarian and HIV issues. He has over 28 years of professional experience in the United Nations System and at bilateral levels under various capacities. He currently serves as the Special Adviser for Security, Humanitarian Affairs and Fragile Countries at UNAIDS HQ in Geneva since May 2017. Prior to his current appointment, he held the following key positions: • Chief of Security and Humanitarian Affairs at UNAIDS HQ in Geneva (Switzerland) from June 2015 to April 2017;• Senior Regional Adviser, Human Rights, Legal and Justice programmes at the UNAIDS Regional Support Team Office based in Dakar (Senegal), covering 25 West and Central African countries from September 2008 to May 2015;• Representative of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and Director of the Human Rights Section at the OHCHR/DPKO Missions from 1992 to 2008. Mr. DIAKITE has a wealth of experience with peacekeeping/peacebuilding operations. Throughout his career, he has led and contributed to the promotion and protection of human rights, humanitarian, gender, national reconciliation and security sector reform. He has worked on mainstreaming good governance, rule of law and humanitarian programmes in fragile countries. He has also designed and implemented capacity building/training programmes for legislators, law enforcement agents, security forces and civil society organizations in Asia (Cambodia, Laos), Central Europe (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia) and Africa (DRC, CAR, Ethiopia, and Eritrea). Furthermore, he has been involved in numerous peace negotiations and electoral observation processes in Africa, Europe and Asia for DPKO/DPA missions.Mr. DIAKITE is a national of Côte d'Ivoire and is fluent in English and French. He holds first a “Diplôme d’Etudes Supérieures Spécialisées (D.E.S.S)” in Diplomacy and Administration of International Organizations from the University of Paris Sud (1986) and a second “Diplôme d’Etudes Supérieures Spécialisées (D.E.S.S)” in Development and Cooperation from University Paris I Panthéon - Sorbonne (1987). Lectures by this speaker Wednesday, 2021-03-17 Mr. Peter Kwame Yeboah Executive Director, Christian Health Association of Ghana, ACCRA | Ghana Peter Yeboah is the Chairman of Africa Christian Health Association Platform (ACHAP), which is a network of 41 Christian Health Associations and Health Organizations based in 32 sub-Saharan African countries. Peter is also the Executive Director of the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), which is a network of 345 Health Facilities and Health Training Institutions in Ghana owned by 33 Church denominations. CHAG is the 2nd largest provider of health services with presence and coverage in mostly rural and underserved areas of Ghana. Peter has almost 25 years’ of professional experience in managing the health sector at various levels: District, Regional, National, & Continental. Lectures by this speaker Wednesday, 2021-03-17 HE Humaid Rashid Al Shamsi International Aid Adviser, UAE Red Crescent Authority | United Arab Emirates HE Sultan Alsadoon Director General, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Foundation for Humanitarian Activities | Saudi Arabia H. E. Mr. Sultan Alsadoon is the Director General & Advisor to HRH Chairman of the board of Directors of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Foundation for Humanitarian Activities. With over 29 years of experience in global economy, organizational Development, Banking, and the financial Sectors. Mr. Alsadoon is a certified Financial & Management Advisor, member of the Saudi Economic Association, member of the Saudi China Business Council.Prior to joining the foundation, Mr. Alsadoon served as the chairman of the China Arab Investment Capital, Financial Coordinating Center, Maakah Investment in Beijing and the Vice President of Bank Masqat, SABB Bank, and the Saudi Al Fransi Bank. Lectures by this speaker Wednesday, 2021-03-17 King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Foundation: "KAHF’s Humanitarian Activities" 14:00 - 14:20 The West Nile Refugee Child Protection and Adult Safeguarding Project Dr. Sukhwinder Singh|Assistant Professor, UAE University, Al Ain Dr. Sukhwinder Singh Assistant Professor, UAE University, Al Ain | United Arab Emirates Dr. Singh is registered Social Worker with a background in humanitarian practice and interdisciplinary casework. He currently serves as a Special Envoy to the Red Cross and leads on refugee operations in West Nile. Prior to joining UAEU he worked at the University of Northampton in England as Senior Social Work Lecturer and Institutional lead for ‘Changemaker’ work in East Africa.Dr. Singh has been at the interface of social work for the past 25 years and has worked in a number of award winning projects. These projects have included his pioneering work at NBI where he developed the first UK positive action training programme; his clinical work for the National Health Service on intercultural practice and his recent practice education work for the Frantz Fanon Centre on interprofessional learning.Dr. Singh has a particular interest in the knowledge base of social work and regulatory and professional standards. At UAEU he contributes to a range of teaching which addresses the use of best evidence in social work practice. Dr. Singh is a mixed methods researcher and his research interests include measuring the professional outcomes of social work education and capturing the experiences of teaching and learning in interdisciplinary contexts. Lectures by this speaker Wednesday, 2021-03-17 14:20 - 14:40 “An Update on the Epidemiology of Covid-19 in the GCC and Community-Level Good Practices in the UAE” Dr. Fawzi Amin|Head, GCC Cluster Office, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Dubai Dr. Fawzi Amin Head, GCC Cluster Office, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Dubai | United Arab Emirates Dr. Amin joined the Ministry of Health since 1979, work in different sections and department of both Health center and Salmanyah Medical Center over 32 years, appointed in leadership positions, He was appointed on 2004 by Royal decree as Assistant Undersecretary for Training, Planning and Information. Retire from Ministry Of Health on October 2011. He continue working in his private Comprehensive Medical Clinic and teaching Family Medicine including Elderly Health in Arabian Gulf University. At present, Dr. Amin was appointed as the head of the Diplomatic mission representing The International Federation of Red Cross and Crescent for GCC, at Dubai office in the United Arab Emirates. Lectures by this speaker Wednesday, 2021-03-17 “An Update on the Epidemiology of Covid-19 in the GCC and Community-Level Good Practices in the UAE” International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC): "IFRC Strategy 2030" International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC): "Putting 2020 International First Aid Guidelines Into Practice" H.E. Salama Al Ameemi has been an integral founding member of the Department of Community Development (DCD), prior to her appointment as the Director General of Ma’an; the government authority decreed to build the entire ecosystem to enable non-government organizations and social enterprises to participate in the development process, advancing multistakeholder collaborations, social innovation, an entrepreneurial spirit and social cohesion in Abu Dhabi.An accomplished and pioneering Emirati professional, Al Ameemi brings a wealth of leadership experience and proficiency in delivering solutions that translate the government’s vision into ground realities with measurable outcomes, and demonstrates multifaceted leadership skills into the projects and responsibilities under her purview. As a purpose-driven leader, Al Ameemi believes in empowering others, building highly successful teams, being accountable and setting standards of excellence. Equipped with diverse industry understanding, as well as significant strategic and operational experience in various high-profile government transformation projects within the health, education and social sector, Al Ameemi brings insights on various subjects including corporate governance, strategy formulation, public policy and management. The depth of knowledge and experience positions Al Ameemi to effectively engage the community into a paradigm shift. In her dual role as Executive Director of Strategic Affairs with DCD, Al Ameemi drives the strategy approach and provides advice and operational support for policy planning and implementation of the development agenda, as well as spearheads and co-leads several strategic initiatives.Furthermore, Al Ameemi has completed a postgraduate degree in Business Administration from Zayed University and was awarded the HRH Sheikh Rashid Award for Academic Excellence. She was also nominated and selected for the Leadership Program at London Government College, Member of the Social Sector Committee, Member of Directors of the Red Crescent and Member on the Board of Trustees of the National Fund for Social Responsibility, in addition to being a member of the Board of Trustees of Sorbonne University in Abu Dhabi, and a member of the Abu Dhabi Cycling Club Board of Directors. Lectures by this speaker Wednesday, 2021-03-17 “An Update on the Epidemiology of Covid-19 in the GCC and Community-Level Good Practices in the UAE” Mr. Mohammed Musabbah Ali Dahi Director, Charitable Institutions Department, Islamic Affairs & Charitable Activities Department (IACAD), Dubai | United Arab Emirates Mr. Dahi Currently serving as the Director of the Charitable Organizations Section in the Department since 3 years, and he is assigned to carry out the duties of the Executive Director of the Charitable Activities Sector during his days off.- Head of the Virtual Charity Foundation Project (one of the 10X initiatives).- Member of the Advisory Council for the Development of Charitable Activities (he was the head of the project until its implementation).- Head of the developing programs team for the annual plan of charitable activities.- Head of the World Humanitarian Summit Team.- Head of the Protocol Team at Ramadan in Dubai Initiative.- Deputy Manager of the Committee which is assigned to study the requests for distribution of Zakat and Charity funds.- Head of the Smart Money Box Team.- Deputy Manager of the Community Solidarity Fund Against COVID-19.- Deputy Manager of the Annual Report Initiative for Humanitarian Aid and Social Responsibility in the Emirate of Dubai.- Member of the Crisis and Emergency Management Team.- Member of the Paperless Initiative Team.- Member of the Committee of Budget and Adjusting evaluation Rates.- The owner of the idea and initiative (Meals of Hope) that was launched with Zomato Company.- All operations and services of (charity management) have been transferred to electronic operations and services during his tenure in the department.- He obtained the General Manager’s Medal for Excellence 2020 for the Department’s Internal Excellence Award as the best departmental manager.- The results of the department's performance indicators have been achieved by 100% for the year 2019 and 2020 during his tenure.- Mr. Dahi holds a Bachelor’s degree in (Security Strategies and International Studies) with a grade of distinction with first class honors 2020.As well he is a member of the “Impactful Leaders Programme” at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Centre for Leadership Development. Lectures by this speaker Wednesday, 2021-03-17 HE Gerhard Putman-Cramer Director, DIHAD International Scientific Advisory Board (DISAB) | Switzerland Former member of the Advisory Expert Committee on International Operations of the Swiss Red Cross; former Senior Associate of the Global Humanitarian Forum, and former member of the Board of the Henri Dunant Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, Geneva. Ambassador Putman-Cramer has been active in a variety of international fora these last few years, in his capacity as Permanent Observer of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) to the United Nations in Geneva, providing support to a variety of initiatives undertaken by – or aimed at – PAM member states. This has involved developing and applying various aspects of parliamentary diplomacy, often as input complementary to actions undertaken under the auspices of the United Nations. As Director of DIHAD’s International Scientific Advisory Board, Amb. Putman-Cramer has put together and overseen the Conference Programme of the annual DIHAD events, this since its beginning in 2003. The last Conference (12-14 March 2019) had as its theme: ‘’People on the Move’’ (www.dihad.org). From 1975 until 2009 Amb. Putman-Cramer was with the United Nations, initially with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and subsequently with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (DHA/OCHA). He served in New York (on 3 separate occasions), in Geneva (also on 3 separate occasions) and in a variety of field locations (including 2 years in Malaysia and 3 years in Madagascar). The last 14 years of his UN career saw him in the position of Chief of OCHA’s Emergency Services (concurrently appointed as Deputy Director, OCHA Geneva), during which time he created and developed a number of effective international response mechanisms and instruments (e.g the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination Team – UNDAC – and the Civil/Military Coordination concept ) while also reinforcing, together with the concerned authorities in disaster-prone countries, essential response capacities at the community, national and regional levels. During this period also, he led a large number of emergency/disaster response missions to, inter alia, Iraq (in the years 1991-94 and in 2003, as Area Coordinator for the Centre Region), the Caucasus, Tajikistan, Pakistan (the 2005 earthquake), Turkey, Mongolia, Thailand and Indonesia (also in the context of the South-East Asia Tsunami).Amb. Putman-Cramer has a ‘’Diplôme Universitaire en Santé Humanitaire’’ from the University Claude-Bernard in Lyon, a Post-Graduate Diploma (Economics, International Relations and International Law) from the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna, a Post-Graduate Diploma (Economic Development) from the Polytechnic of North London and a B.A. (Hons.) in Literature from Bedford College, University of London. Sessions by this speaker Wednesday, 2021-03-17 Partners SponsorsSpecial thanks to the support, involvement and active contribution of our Sponsors and Partners. News Press Releases French ambassador visits DIHAD exhibition News Press Releases March 31, 2021 The Dubai International Humanitarian Aid and Development Conference and Exhibition- DIHAD successfully concluded on Wednesday after 3 days of highly enriching and productive discussions on the most urgent issues facing the continent of Africa, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The top humanitarian gathering in Dubai under the theme [ ] Les finalistes du hackathon humanitaire international présentent leur présentation finale lors de la deuxième journée de «DIHAD» News Press Releases March 31, 2021 DOUBAI, 16 mars 2021 (WAM) La 17e édition de la Conférence et exposition internationale de Doubaï sur l aide humanitaire et le développement (DIHAD) s est poursuivie le deuxième jour, sous le haut patronage de Son Altesse Cheikh Mohamed ben Rached Al Maktoum, Vice-président et Premier ministre des Emirats Arabes Unis [ ] International Humanitarian Hackathon s finalists present final pitch on second day of ‘DIHAD’ News Press Releases March 31, 2021 DUBAI, 16th March, 2021 (WAM) The 17th edition of Dubai International Humanitarian Aid and Development Conference and Exhibition – DIHAD continued on the second day, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The [ ] Supported by Noor DubaiSubtitle:The shortage of health workers in developing countries may undermine the attainment of the Sustainable development goals, universal health coverage and undermine control of epidemics/pandemics. So how do we improve the number and quality of health workers in developing countries?Context:The World Health Organization in its 2006 World Health Report reported that over 4 million more health workers are needed globally to prevent crisis in the health sector. Out of which Africa alone needs 1.5 million workers. Thus 36 of the 57 countries in the continent have critical shortages of human resources for health.Globally all countries are challenged by worker shortage, skill mix imbalance, maldistribution, negative work environment, and weak knowledge base. However, it is worse in the poorest countries mostly of Africa and Asia where the workforce is under assault by HIV/AIDS, epidemics, out-migration, poor working environment, demotivation, undertraining and inadequate investment.The critical shortage of health workers in developing world especially Africa is a major impediment to achievement of health/developmental goals, and could hinder the ability to control epidemics and pandemic outbreaks. In many developing countries this shortage not only affects provision of life saving interventions like childhood immunization, maternal services and prevention/treatment of the major infectious diseases –HIV, Malaria and Tuberculosis; but also hampers response to serious epidemics and pandemics like Ebola, Hemorrhagic fevers, Yellow fever and Covid-19. In addition to this the increasing aging population and change of life style in these developing countries results in rising burden of chronic diseases and non-communicable diseases like diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cancers etc needing more well trained health personnel’s and facilities.This shortage is made worse within these countries by a vicious cycle of outbreaks of epidemics that further deplete the workforce and emigration of health workers to other parts of the world. The gross mal-distribution of the workers where by majority of health workers are in the urban areas but most of the population lives in rural areas in these countries, aggravates the situation. Furthermore the opportunities for continuous medical education and self-development is generally limited.Thus, this human resource for health crisis in the developing countries especially Africa is not only about the quantity of the health workers and their distribution but also their quality. Due to weak educational systems and training facilities, occasioned by poor investment, health workers in many of these countries are not only inadequately trained but also lack the continuous medical education to handle emerging life threatening emergencies and chronic health conditions.The crisis is partly caused by underfunding from governments due to competing developmental demands with very weak economies. This results in fewer ill-equipped training institutions, undertraining, under-recruitment, lack of facilities, demotivation, brain drain etc. The pull of higher salaries in industrialized countries and the push of poor working conditions at home along with political and social strife drive thousands of health workers to jobs abroad each year. This ever increasing brain drain from these poor weak countries to richer nations of the West and Middle East compound an already bad situation.Challenge statement:The SDG goal 3 (Ensuring health living and promoting wellbeing for all for all ages), the universal health coverage and ability to withstand epidemics and pandemics like Covid-19 cannot be achieved in many countries if the human resources for health crisis in these countries is not tackled.So how can we address this gross shortage of health workers in developing countries especially Africa in terms of not only the number of the health workers, but their distribution and their expertise (knowledge and skills?). What innovative and technological approach can be applied to address this big challenge? Supported by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)Title: The digital literacy divide between e-learners: how to narrow the gaps?Concept: In a world that everyone is using the digital sphere to communicate and learn, there is still a gap between the e-learners as some have high digital literacy while many still have more limited literacy.MSF s e-Learning team (TEMO) aims at reaching 95% of the organization s staff and not only 25% with high digital literacy, access to computers, access to internet, etc.Challenge: In this scenario and in order for all staff to have access to distance learning and eLearning Solutions like Tembo can offer, what are proposals and ideas to promote digital literacy for the e-learners to narrow the gaps? Overcoming Challenges to the Inclusion of Beneficiaries with Disabilities in Emergencies Supported by International Humanitarian CityKeywords: Emergency Preparedness Response; DisabilitiesIntroduction:IHC for the 2020 Humanitarian Hackathon decided to focus the attention on a group of vulnerable populations affected by Disabilities. The purpose of this challenge is to stimulate people to think outside the box and come up with possible innovative tools that the humanitarian community can offer to people exposed to emergencies and having different kinds of disabilities. In particular, mobility and communication/ability to attract attention are two crucial factors when it comes to the immediate aftermath of a disaster as well as the short and long-term living situation the affected disabled population may find themselves in. The purpose is to integrate and enrich the humanitarian prepositioned stocks with appropriated equipment and aid and therefore strengthen the emergency preparedness and have tools ready for their use in the response phase. The aim is to involve the Humanitarian Hackathon 2020 participants and transform their ideas in humanitarian aid for the benefit of the disabled. Looking at the list of the humanitarian relief items stocked within various humanitarian hubs it appears that no specific items are kept in stock specifically to support the differently-abled living in areas affected by disasters.Scenarios:The most frequent emergency scenarios are due to natural disasters such as floods, Tsunamis, Earthquake, cyclones, volcano eruptions, fire-forest etc in addition to conflict areas. Hackathon participants are invited to think about the disabled population in those scenarios, and particularly, how the disabled can attract rescue teams or humanitarian workers providing assistance. Options for innovative solutions may focus on preventive measures, especially for the populations most exposed to risks and living in prone and hazard areas and subject to frequent natural disasters. Other innovative solutions may focus more on the immediate response following disasters when the affected population is forced to vacate their accommodation, which is appropriately equipped for their disability and moved into newer and less familiar areas. How can we help them?Below are some tips for the various potential disabilities.Suggestions:Overall, items that could be useful to most disability categories could be:A Tools to attract attention (which can be distributed to all vulnerable people affected)A disability-friendly appStool bags compatible with a foldable wheelchair toilet seatClear masks for lip-reading for the rescue teams Improving Small Farmers Access to Knowledge About Crop Production Techniques through E-Agriculture Supported by International Humanitarian CityIn several humanitarian response areas, are blessed with diverse climatic conditions for almost all crops (cereal, fruit and vegetable crops), besides ample opportunity to grow high value vegetables as off season in certain zones and pristine climatic niches as well production of certain fruits and vegetables seedling in low, high and walk in tunnels.Moreover, there is also immense scope of growing short duration vegetable in three successive seasons i.e. summer, winter and autumn such as tomato, broccoli and potato. The small farmers in general are neither aware of the opportunities of effective utilization of their physical , financial and human resources nor know the ways and means to utilize their available resources. Thus they follow the hit and trial rules to grow crops which often incur heavy losses to them. Supported by Dubai CaresCOVID-19 exacerbated pre-existing gaps in Developing Countries, which were already strained, underserved and faced significant tech capacity limitations, causing serious learning disruptions.ContextThe world has been brought to a standstill by the impact of COVID-19. Airports, restaurants, movie theaters and other elements of the social environment have been disrupted by this virus’ contagion. While watching movies and dining in public are not essential to our lives, work and education are.Education systems and learning have been heavily disrupted by COVID-19. At its apex, school closures reached over 180 countries. Currently, according to the UNESCO Education Impact Tracker, there are still 34 country wide school closures and over half a billion affected child learners. “The medium and long-term implications of the learning crisis [has] forced 1.6 billion learners worldwide out of the classroom” (UNESCO). This is especially true for education in developing countries, which were already facing poor economic conditions while also coping with low literacy, numeracy, enrollment and proficiency.In July, UNESCO estimated “that about 24 million learners, from pre-primary to university level, are at risk of not returning to school in 2020 following the education disruption due to COVID-19. Almost half of them are found in South and West Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. University students are affected the most, due to the costs related to their studies. Pre-primary education is the second most affected while at primary and secondary level 10.9 million students are at risk, 5.2 million of whom are girls.”As closures forced students and parents home, the need for connectivity and hardware arose. “Today half of the world’s population (3.6 billion people) still lack an internet connection.” Many countries with low economic development and lack of connectivity, adapted via national broadcasts over TV and Radio, “yet the benefits of internet-based solutions vis-à-vis radio and TV solutions are considerable: connected digital technologies allow for the possibility of two-way communication, real-time interaction, gamified learning, and much more. Investments poured into efforts to make digital tools the principal hubs of learning, rather than brick-and-mortar school sand classrooms” (UNESCO).“According to UN estimates, nearly 500 million students from pre-primary to upper secondary school did not have any access to any remote learning. Three quarters of these students lived in the poorest households or rural areas. More nuanced data showed finer disparities that traced and functioned to accentuate existing social, economic, gender and geographic fault lines. Analysis from Brookings shows that at the height of school closures, around 90 percent of high-income countries were providing some form of online remote learning, but only 25 per cent of low-income countries were doing the same” (UNESCO).One of the flagship innovations responding to this at a global level is GIGA, an initiative launched by UNICEF and ITU in September 2019 to connect every school to the Internet and every young person to information, opportunity and choice. GIGA is supporting the immediate response to COVID-19, as well as looking at how connectivity can create stronger infrastructures of hope and opportunity in the time after COVID. The main objective of GIGA is to connect 2 million schools and 500 million children by 2025 and 5 million schools and 1 billion children by 2030, via funding of local infrastructure entrepreneurs and open source digital public goods.Lastly, the long term effects of diminished education is worth considering, as “the World Bank has projected the financial cost of this learning loss to be as high as USD $10 trillion or 10% of global gross domestic product” (UNESCO). The human and economic impact of stunted education will ripple through the next decade as less educated students, workers and citizens will enter a world that is simultaneously regressing (climate change) and rapidly evolving (technology). Those that are already economically disadvantaged are at greater risk of getting left behind even more.Challenge Statement:As discussed above, distance learning is not always feasible due to low prevalence of connectivity and hardware in developing nations and economies, where the population is less able to purchase cell phones and laptops, while the public and private sectors are less likely to build connectivity infrastructure such as cell towers and Wi-Fi access points.How can distance learning solutions be delivered to low income / remote / rural areas with low hardware saturation and lack of internet access so as not to exclude them from education services and systems they were already underserved by?Think of innovative*, feasible and scalable solutions for learning disruption in developing countriesThings to keep in mind for solution design and review criteria:Developing contexts often have limited access to transportation, clean water and sanitation*Innovation does not necessarily mean very high tech and revolutionary. Sometimes the most innovative thing is using or reformulating something basic and abundant in a new and low cost wayReflect on the sustainability of the design, as many solutions end up collecting dust after initial investment and interventionThink through the replicability and scalability of the solution for global reach in similar environmentsContemplate potential cross-sectorial collaboration (telecom, government, and academia)Consider the operational part of it: how is it going to work, under what umbrella, with what organizational or collaborative structureDeliberate on the Who and How of funding your solution Supported by UAE Water AidThe UAE Water Aid Foundation, Suqia, under the umbrella of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, works diligently to provide clean and safe drinking water to communities in dire need and that lack basic access to water. Thus, Suqia contributes directly to Goal 6, Clean Water Sanitation, of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. It also has important contributions to goals 1 (no poverty), 3 (good health and well-being), 4 (quality education), 5 (gender equality) and 17 (partnerships for the goals).Access to clean and safe water remains one of the most critical challenges faced by many around the world. While governments and societies work together to provide solutions to communities in need, the number of those who lack access to basic drinking water services continues to increase till date. According to recent statistics, the figure has reached a staggering 785 million in 2019. In many communities, people spend up to 6 hours each day collecting water. Not only does walking long distances while carrying 20 liters of water cause severe health issues, but it also keeps children out of school and wastes time that families could be using to earn an income.Utilizing various solutions including artesian wells, water purification stations, water filters, water distribution networks and others, we were able to provide clean drinking water for more than 13 million people in 36 countries around the world.The main challenge is in providing communities that need it the most. Often these communities are in remote locations difficult to get to and may be overseen in search of the places that require access to clean drinking water.Although, the water infrastructure is not available, tele-communication networks are often available.How can we utilize the tele-communication networks or mobile applications to support our goal of reaching out to communities in need? We are looking for a solution that would be easy to use where individuals can pin-point locations globally that face water shortage and lack easy access to clean drinking water. The solution would ideally identify the type of need in the area, the water quality, the approximate number of people living in the area, etc ..

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