On Friday, June 3rd, the Independent Commission on Multilateralism hosted a Public Consultation on its Discussion Paper: “Humanitarian Engagements.” This Public Consultation provided a platform for representatives from member states, civil society, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, academia, and the United Nations to comment on the Discussion Paper’s recommendations and exchange perspectives on the larger trends at hand.

Never before has the gap between massive humanitarian need in so many crises around the world and the international capacity to deliver an adequate humanitarian response appeared greater than it does today. This paper aims to identify the main reasons underlying this reality and to trigger a discussion on how the multilateral system anchored in the UN can better prevent and respond to humanitarian crises in the twenty-first century. Contemporary challenges in humanitarian action are threefold and relate to the international community’s capacity to (1) stem the needs arising from humanitarian crises, (2) reach the victims of these crises and deliver relief, and (3) provide for an adequate, timely, effective, and sustainable response to humanitarian needs. In each of these areas of work, the paper poses a set of questions to trigger discussions and help identify recommendations for action.

Download the Discussion Paper

Discussants:
Mr. Hansjoerg Strohmeyer, Chief, Policy Development and Studies, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Mr. Stephane Ojeda, Deputy Permanent Representative and Legal Advisor, International Committee of the Red Cross Delegation to the United Nations
Dr. Abby Stoddard, Partner, Humanitarian Outcomes

Moderator:
Dr. Els Debuf, Senior Adviser, Humanitarian Affairs, Independent Commission on Multilateralism