In this era of rapid change, humanitarians are being challenged like never before - by both new threats on the horizon and the opportunities presented by technology and new partnerships.
How should aid workers respond to the fall-out of urban violence? Is anybody thinking about the implications of cybercrime that can crash systems and economies on an epic scale? What will future logistics look like in a world of Bitcoins and cash transfers?
The humanitarian system often finds itself preparing for the last big disaster rather than what might be around the corner. Humanitarians need to be agile, open and bold to face the problems of the future. They need to suffer through their identity crisis and come out the other side with a clearer sense of their role.
Only then can they meaningfully engage with the new actors increasingly shaping humanitarian response: local NGOs, civilian activists, telecoms companies, the diaspora and a slew of governments keen to direct humanitarian aid as they see fit.
IRIN’s new In-Depth, Humanitarian Futures, looks ahead a decade to see where we might be in 2023. A series of reports explores issues from climate change and food security to the role of the UN, humanitarian innovation and the rise of private sector players.
Plus, we have film interviews with some leading thinkers as they discuss their vision of the humanitarian enterprise 10 years from now.
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How should aid workers respond to the fall-out of urban violence? Is anybody thinking about the implications of cybercrime that can crash systems and economies on an epic scale? What will future logistics look like in a world of Bitcoins and cash transfers?
The humanitarian system often finds itself preparing for the last big disaster rather than what might be around the corner. Humanitarians need to be agile, open and bold to face the problems of the future. They need to suffer through their identity crisis and come out the other side with a clearer sense of their role.
Only then can they meaningfully engage with the new actors increasingly shaping humanitarian response: local NGOs, civilian activists, telecoms companies, the diaspora and a slew of governments keen to direct humanitarian aid as they see fit.
IRIN’s new In-Depth, Humanitarian Futures, looks ahead a decade to see where we might be in 2023. A series of reports explores issues from climate change and food security to the role of the UN, humanitarian innovation and the rise of private sector players.
Plus, we have film interviews with some leading thinkers as they discuss their vision of the humanitarian enterprise 10 years from now.
aj/oa
This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions
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