Launch of Humanitarian Exchange 56: Civil-military coordination in humanitarian action, 30 Jan 2013, London

Civil-military coordination in humanitarian crises is a controversial issue, particularly for humanitarian actors. There is anxiety about co-option and contagion by the military, about trade-offs between enduring political solutions and long-term basic assistance and about the relationship between principles and pragmatism in the delivery of aid.

In the midst of these debates the original purpose of civil-military coordination – to have a structured dialogue that enables more effective and principled delivery of assistance to affected populations – tends to be forgotten. With growing interest on the part of militaries to be involved in the provision of assistance there is both a need to revisit the basic intentions of civil-military dialogue and to address the gaps that past practice and current guidance do not cover.

This event will launch the 56th edition of Humanitarian Exchange the theme of which is civil-military coordination in humanitarian action. Drawing on the articles in this issue and recent research undertaken by ODI’s Humanitarian Policy Group, as well as their own experience, speakers will discuss the barriers to coordination – both real and perceived – and whether progress has been or can be made in resolving these.

To register for this event please visit the event webpage. You can also follow #CivMil on Twitter for live coverage.

Refreshments will be available from 15:30.

Speakers:

IN LONDON

• Simone Haysom – Research Officer, Humanitarian Policy Group, ODI and author of lead article
• Jenny McAvoy – Director of Protection, InterAction
• Lauren Greenwood – Researcher on British military culture

IN WASHINGTON DC

• Joel Charny – Vice President for Humanitarian Policy and Practice, InterAction

IN JERUSALEM

• Victoria Metcalfe
• Ruben Stewart

IN ENSCHEDE, THE NETHERLANDS

• Colonel Hans-Jürgen Kasselmann – Director of the Civil-Military Co-operation Centre of Excellence

Chair:

• Wendy Fenton – Coordinator, Humanitarian Practice Network