Fresh Humanitarian Perspectives

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2129280/open_sms] In this episode, we focus on Youth Leadership and talk about the importance of youth participation. On the Youth Leadership for Emerging Future programme [https://www.ashoka.org/en-pl/program/english-youth-leadership-emerging-future] example, we discuss how youth can and should be involved in crisis response, humanitarian action, and development. The participants shared about the challenges they identified and how they addressed them while working on their projects.  You will hear from Agnieszka PŁoska, Youth Changemaking Manager at Ashoka Poland, and Vee Tranova and Vitalina Petrova, participants of the Youth Leadership for Emerging Future Programme. In this initiative, Ashoka, Save the Children, and the Humanitarian Leadership Academy join forces to empower local young leaders and to catalyse systemic changes.  Links: More about the speakers: https://www.humanitarianleadershipacademy.org/resources/youth-leadership-episode-1/ [https://www.humanitarianleadershipacademy.org/resources/youth-leadership-episode-1/] Find out more about Youth Leadership for Emerging Future programme: English: Youth Leadership For Emerging Future | Ashoka [https://www.ashoka.org/en-pl/program/english-youth-leadership-emerging-future] 6 Lessons from Young Leaders: Insights for Shaping the Future: https://www.ashoka.org/en-pl/story/6-lessons-young-leaders-insights-shaping-future [https://www.ashoka.org/en-pl/story/6-lessons-young-leaders-insights-shaping-future]   Youth Dialogue Forum 2024:   * about the project: Youth Dialogue Forum 2024 [https://www.demdis.sk/youth-dialogue-forum-2024/]  * about the results: Breaking the vicious cycle of disengagement. Results of Youth Dialogue Forum 2024 [https://www.demdis.sk/breaking-the-vicious-cycle-of-disengagement-results-of-youth-dialogue-forum-2024/]  * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youth_dialogue_forum/ [https://www.instagram.com/youth_dialogue_forum/]   Thanks for listening. Please subscribe and share with your network! For more resources for the humanitarian community, visit humanitarianleadershipacademy.org/resources The views and opinions expressed in our podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of their organisations.

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2129280/open_sms] With the global mental health crisis affecting one in four people – and nearly everyone within communities impacted by crisis including conflict and disasters – the need for mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) is more urgent than ever. In this episode, Ka Man Parkinson holds a candid conversation with Marie Dahl and Dr Victor Ugo from The MHPSS Collaborative. Marie and Victor share honest reflections on the challenges they face with their work, while passionately setting out their vision to enhance the mental wellbeing of children, youth, and families in adverse settings. This insightful dialogue delves into key themes such as localisation, youth engagement, the language of mental health, and the pursuit of a shared understanding of MHPSS for improved cooperation and collaboration. Hear more about Marie and Victor’s aspirations to move towards a preventative approach to mental health support and to embed MHPSS into preparedness planning. Whether you’re a practitioner or simply interested in this essential field, tune in for valuable expert insights from Marie and Victor! About the speakers Marie Dahl [https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fmariedahl%2F&data=05%7C02%7CK.Parkinson%40savethechildren.org.uk%7C4415c46fa3904a36ae6208dd02690b0c%7C8ea28934d20d47eeaa20b96d5ea33f70%7C0%7C0%7C638669372497973821%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=c%2BPS08eIzJpBQyTLvp9S%2BkowEjT9K76UG9S82iqKmBA%3D&reserved=0] is the Director of The MHPSS Collaborative - for children, youth and families in adversity. The Collaborative is a global hub for mental health and psychosocial support research, innovation, learning and advocacy, founded by Save the Children Denmark in 2018. Marie has 15 years of experience in the humanitarian sector, and has worked in emergency response, interagency coordination, capacity building, advocacy, leadership and strategy development in various parts of the world. Her driving force is children and youths' rights to protection, education, mental health and psychosocial wellbeing. She is based in Malmö, Sweden. Dr Victor Ugo [https://www.linkedin.com/in/victorugo/] is the MHPSS and Youth Advisor at the MHPSS Collaborative, where his current focus is on building infrastructures for meaningful youth engagement and participation in mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) initiatives.  He has extensive experience in advocacy, policy influence, and resource mobilization for adolescent and youth mental health programs at community, regional and global levels. Victor is passionate about driving systemic change to improve the lives of children, adolescents, and youth globally, with a particular focus on facilitating their capacity to develop innovative solutions and lead work relevant to their needs. Ka Man Parkinson [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kamanparkinson/] is Communications and Marketing Advisor at the HLA.  Read more including the episode transcript on our Resources Hub: www.humanitarianleadershipacademy.org/resources/placing-mental-health-and-psychosocial-support-at-the-heart-of-the-humanitarian-agenda/ Thanks for listening. Please subscribe and share with your network! For more resources for the humanitarian community, visit humanitarianleadershipacademy.org/resources The views and opinions expressed in our podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of their organisations.

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2129280/open_sms] In this episode - part two of our deep dive exploration of humanitarian learning in 2024 - we continue the insightful conversation with passionate learning advocates Janet Nyaoro, Eleonora Aralla and Neba Ambe Azinui. In the first instalment of this conversation, Humanitarian learning in 2024: perspectives from Africa [https://www.humanitarianleadershipacademy.org/resources/humanitarian-learning-in-2024-perspectives-from-africa/], the trio discuss the nature of and trends in humanitarian learning and training, and share their own rich on-the-ground professional and personal experiences. In this second episode, listen to an inspiring exploration of learning as a powerful tool for growth for individuals and organisations. The findings of the HLA Humanitarian Learner Survey 2024 [https://www.humanitarianleadershipacademy.org/resources/hla-learner-survey-2024-initial-research-insights/] build a picture of a highly motivated humanitarian workforce and volunteers - but numerous barriers stand in the way of the training and learning that they desire. Our guests share their personal insights and tried-and-tested strategies for overcoming barriers to learning – including motivational and actionable steps to supercharge our own learning journeys. Together with host Ka Man Parkinson, our guests also discuss the key ingredients to cultivate a culture of learning within humanitarian organisations to enable everyone to achieve their development goals. Thanks for listening. Please subscribe and share with your network! For more resources for the humanitarian community, visit humanitarianleadershipacademy.org/resources The views and opinions expressed in our podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of their organisations.

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2129280/open_sms] In this episode - the first instalment of our two-part series - we explore current trends in humanitarian learning with a special focus on Africa. We sit down with three passionate advocates of learning in all forms: Janet Nyaoro (HLA East and Southern Africa Regional Centre), Eleonora Aralla (CAFOD Zimbabwe and Eswatini) and Neba Ambe Azinui (Grace Charitable and Rehabilitation Organisation, Cameroon). In this insightful conversation centred on learning, our guests share their own inspiring learning journeys - and the sometimes unexpected and surprising discoveries and outcomes along the way. Janet and Neba - with their professional and academic origins as educators, and Eleonora with a background in philosophy - share their pathways into the world of humanitarian and development, and what drives them in their lifelong quest to learn. Together with host Ka Man Parkinson (HLA Communications and Marketing Advisor), our guests reflect on some of the key takeaways from the 2024 HLA Humanitarian Learning Survey [https://www.humanitarianleadershipacademy.org/resources/hla-learner-survey-2024-initial-research-insights/], which provides fresh insights into how humanitarians are engaging with learning and training today, and share their perspectives based on their rich on-the-ground experiences.  Stay tuned for Part 2! In the second part of this series, our guests will share practical learning tips and advice on overcoming barriers to learning and training They’ll also talk about the key elements required to build a culture of learning to support humanitarians in achieving their development goals. Coming soon! Thanks for listening. Please subscribe and share with your network! For more resources for the humanitarian community, visit humanitarianleadershipacademy.org/resources The views and opinions expressed in our podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of their organisations.

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2129280/open_sms] Feminist Leadership - a not-so-widely known or understood term.   What is Feminist Leadership? What does it actually mean? Is its meaning simply implied in its name? Listen to this insightful conversation led by Rachel O'Brien, Director of the Humanitarian Leadership Academy (HLA). Rachel is joined by two mavens on this topic: Srilatha Batliwala, Feminist Activist and Archie Law, Principal Leadership Advisor at the HLA to break down and define Feminist Leadership - what does it  mean in practice? Why is it important and necessary in the way we view leadership today? Importantly, how can we practice Feminist Leadership within the humanitarian sector and more importantly beyond the sector? Srilatha says in the conversation: "Feminist Leadership is the process of transforming ourselves, organisations and movements to reflect the feminist vision and values of social justice we want to advance in the world". She says it is about "unleashing both our individual and collective power to work towards dismantling all the discriminatory structures of power and privilege in the world." Archie shares his viewpoint on the role of men in Feminist Leadership. He says: "I do think that's something that men have an active role to play in: respecting the role of women and the feminist movement and working alongside the movement and working alongside our sisters." About the Speakers Srilatha Batliwala [https://www.linkedin.com/in/srilatha-batliwala-18997933/] is a feminist activist, researcher, scholar and trainer based in India.  For over two decades, her work focused on grassroots movement building with marginalized urban and rural women in India, as well as research and policy advocacy on gender equality and women’s rights.  She then moved on to work internationally, at the Ford Foundation, Harvard University and AWID, doing grant-making, scholarly work, building theory from practice, and capacity building of young women activists around the world.  She is best known for bridging the worlds of theory and practice, and for her writing on women’s empowerment, women’s movements and feminist leadership.  She is currently Senior Advisor, Knowledge Building, CREA, as well as a Senior Associate with Gender at Work,. She considers herself a feminist grandmother – both in the women’s movement, and to her four teenage grandchildren! Rachel O'Brien [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-o-brien-710ab826/] is Director of the HLA and is based in the UK. In her role she provides direct leadership to the HLA, the Save the Children UK Humanitarian Department, and to the wider Save the Children movement. Rachel is also a qualified coach, working with individuals and teams both inside and outside of the sector. Archie Law AM [https://www.linkedin.com/in/archie-law-am-6195b214/] is the Principal Leadership Advisor at the Humanitarian Leadership Academy. His previous appointments have included Director of International Programmes at Save the Children Australia, Executive Director of ActionAid Australia and global and regional humanitarian roles with the United Nations. The views and opinions expressed in our podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of their organisations Thanks for listening. Please subscribe and share with your network! For more resources for the humanitarian community, visit humanitarianleadershipacademy.org/resources The views and opinions expressed in our podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of their organisations.