AidEx 2012 – Aid effectiveness in times of economic crisis

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Please be aware that this is a past event.

Aid effectiveness in times of economic crisis

How should the humanitarian aid and development community use aid strategically during the economic crisis? What are the latest approaches and smart investments that help save lives and build resilience? These are the central questions that will be discussed and debated at the second AidEx Exhibition and Conference, taking place in Brussels on October 24 and 25.

This year the event is organised under the patronage of the EU’s humanitarian aid chief Kristalina Georgieva.

AidEx has become the leading event for aid professionals in Europe and is supported by aid organisations including  (amongst others) the UN’s refugee agency (UNHCR), the EU’s Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO), Médecins Sans Frontièrs, Red Cross, Oxfam, Islamic Relief Worldwide, World Vision International and Advance Aid. More than 2000 aid experts from across the world will attend the conference, alongside 200 suppliers of relief products and services representing all different areas of the sector.

Chronic food crises such as those in the Sahel and Horn of Africa have made it clear that the humanitarian community must take a more strategic approach to dealing with emergencies, particularly as funding becomes tighter and disaster management more complex.

“When times are tough we need to focus on what works. Some of the innovations our partners will showcase at AidEx 2012 are a perfect example of how we can successfully link humanitarian aid with long-term development,” said Nicholas Rutherford, AidEx Event Director.

This priority will be reflected throughout in the conference programme, entitled “The Changing Face of Aid”. This year’s line-up of expert speakers and panellists Director General European Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO) Claus Sorensen, and UN World Food Programme’s Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer, Amir Abdullah. Their speeches will complement prominent voices from other major humanitarian aid and development agencies and organisations, such as the World Food Programme, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian, UN Food and Agriculture Organisation, World Health Organisation, UN Development Programme, UNICEF, CARE, Save the Children, Plan International and Direct Relief.

AidEx will also provide the opportunity to meet the major donors face-to-face and find out more about the rules to access crucial funding. Delegates are invited to drop in at the Aid Donor Advice Clinic to meet representatives from a number of national aid agencies, such as the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), the Belgian Development Bureau (B-Fast), the EU Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO) and the Directorate for Development Cooperation of Luxembourg.

Under the umbrella of the Developing Supplier World Zone, 25 unique sub-Saharan African and South East Asian suppliers will demonstrate how their local equipment and services can make their regions more ‘disaster secure’, meaning that they are able to respond to their own disasters without an over-reliance on aid and imported goods. Exhibitors in the Zone include Reltex Tarpaulins Africa, Sunfire Solutions and the Ghana Bamboo Bikes Initiative, winner of the 2012 World Business and Development Award.

In addition, the Aid Innovation Challenge will showcase cutting-edge offerings from both young independent designers and emergency relief manufacturers. External judges include Trevor Baylis, inventor of the wind-up radio, and Michael Pritchard, creator of the LIFESAVER water bottle, who are patrons of AidEx for a second year in a row.

And after a very successful first year, AidEx is bringing back the Humanitarian Hero of the Year Award – which aims to recognise outstanding individuals from any area of the humanitarian and development aid community.

HIGHLIGHTS

Confirmed participants:
WFP
UNOCHA
FAO
WHO
UNDP
UNICEF
UNHCR
Médecins Sans Frontières
Oxfam
CARE
Red Cross / IFRC
World Vision International
Plan International
Islamic Relief Worldwide
Save the Children
Advance Aid

…and 200 suppliers of humanitarian aid products

Quote

“When times are tough we need to focus on what works. Some of the innovations our partners will showcase at AidEx2012 are a perfect example of how we can successfully link humanitarian aid with long-term development.”
Nicholas Rutherford, AidEx Event Director.

Free conference sessions

  • A Donor Perspective of the Future
  • The Humanitarian Future
  • Are we prepared for this future?
  • The reality of aid: Only 3 of 8 MDGs achieved. Where are we going wrong?
  • From Food Aid to Food Security: New approaches to the new reality
  • New Models for Aid Delivery: Is the NGO dead?
  • The Future of PartnershipsWho will drive the agenda in the future?Preparing for the Unexpected: Sourcing & stockpiling in advance of a crisis.
  • Professionalization of Aid: From well-meaning generalists to dedicated specialists.
  • Shareholder Humanitarianism: Is aid delivery driven by short term donor objectives?
  • Social Media and Aid
  • Are we prepared for the future?

Register for FREE entry at www.aid-expo.com

 

 

When and Where
Wednesday 24 October 9:30 – 17:30
Thursday 25 October 9:30 – 17.00
Brussels Expo, Hall 6, Belgium