Leadership in crises: the launch

Leadership is tested in times of crisis, when it is most needed. In the midst of mounting and invariably complex humanitarian crises, a lack of leadership can result in uncoordinated, unstrategic and even ineffectual responses that undermine local authorities, economies, and social structures – and moreover fail to respond adequately to those in need of assistance. But how can leadership be fostered within aid agencies, governments and international organisations?

The Humanitarian Policy Group invite you to the launch of the Centre for Post-crisis Leadership and Development (CPLD) and a discussion on the importance of leadership in humanitarian crises. At the event, speakers from the humanitarian community will discuss why responses often lack a common strategy between local, national and international actors and the need for an adaptive approach to leadership in those responses and post-crisis development.

The purpose of the Centre, which delivers activities through the Australia New Zealand School of Government Institute for Governance (ANZIG) and the Post-war Reconstruction and Development Unit at the University of York, is to nurture, at all levels, the leadership required to engage communities around tackling difficult underlying problems in a constantly changing and uncertain environment.

Speakers:

Dr. Sara Pantuliano – Head, Humanitarian Policy Group, ODI

Paul Porteous – Director, Leadership Development and International Programs, ANZSOG Institute for Governance

Prof. Sultan Barakat – Professor of Politics, and Director of the Post-war Reconstruction and Development Unit, Department of Politics, University of York (PRDU)

John Mitchell – Director of the Active Learning Network for Accountability and Performance in Humanitarian Action (ALNAP)

Benedict Dempsey – Senior Humanitarian Affairs Adviser, Save the Children

Claire Messina – Senior Coordinator, Humanitarian Leadership Strengthening Unit, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, United Nations

Chair: TBC