The Estonian Refugee Council will host an International Humanitarian Assistance Conference on 7 November at Fotografiska in Tallinn. Returning for its second year, the conference focuses on ethics, anticipatory action, and the use of artificial intelligence in humanitarian action.
The conference brings together a diverse group of experts and panellists from international humanitarian organisations to delve into the future and the evolving challenges faced by the humanitarian sector.
According to the Director of the Estonian Refugee Council, Eero Janson, humanitarian organisations face difficult decisions due to protracted crises, limited access, and decreasing funding. “Global cuts in humanitarian funding, coupled with escalating needs and waning respect for international law, place humanitarian organisations in challenging positions. At the same time, emerging technologies present opportunities to enhance the effectiveness of humanitarian response, while also introducing risks that the sector must address. The International Humanitarian Assistance Conference aims to explore these complex issues, supporting practitioners and policymakers as they navigate the evolving landscape of humanitarian assistance,” Janson added.
The conference’s keynote speech will be delivered by Christina Bennett, CEO of Start Network. The conference will feature three panel discussions:
- Between Scylla and Charybdis: Navigating the ethical dilemmas and moral conundrums in humanitarian settings
This panel seeks to promote a deeper understanding of the moral dilemmas inherent in humanitarian work.
- The possibility of foresight in conflict settings: Exploring strategies of preparedness and anticipatory action in conflict settings to mitigate the impact of potential crises before they escalate
This panel discussion explores the effectiveness and challenges of anticipatory action with a focus on complex emergencies
- The role of AI in humanitarian action: Potential and risks associated with the use of artificial intelligence in humanitarian response
This panel discussion delves into the promising applications of AI in humanitarian action and the challenges that must be navigated to ensure that these technologies are used responsibly and effectively.
The conference gathers experts from a diverse range of international organisations, including ALNAP, Sphere, Data Friendly Space, INTERSOS, the International Red Cross, UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), and Start Network. For further information about speakers and the schedule, please visit the Estonian Refugee Council's website.
The conference will be held in English.
The conference is supported by ESTDEV – the Estonian Centre for International Development.
The Estonian Refugee Council (ERC) is a rights-based humanitarian organisation. Established in 2000, the Estonian Refugee Council has grown to become the largest humanitarian organisation in the Baltics. ERC now operates in six countries, with offices in Armenia, Estonia, Georgia, Jordan, Türkiye, and Ukraine. ERC supports crisis-affected people with emergency response, economic recovery, protection and community empowerment initiatives.
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