Fresh Humanitarian Perspectives

Send us Fan Mail"Your career is what you do. Your purpose is the difference you make along the way."This conversation with Hyelladi Vandi uncovers many heart-felt truths drawn from Vandi's personal and professional journey as a humanitarian from Taraba state in Nigeria to Jigawa - from his building Taraba's first digital library during his national youth service year to problem-solving roles leading to Save the Children Nigeria.Vandi through masterful storytelling shares key lessons on the importance of mentorship, humility, leadership through service, building competence despite hardship and creating real impact.Visit the episode webpage to learn more:Don't chase titles, chase competence: Finding purpose in humanitarian leadership Thanks for listening. Please help us to grow this podcast by subscribing and leaving a review on the platform you're listening from. Thank you! 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 Fan MailIn conversation with Re-AllianceCurious about permaculture practices and what regenerative humanitarian response looks like? In this conversation, the HLA's Fay Loosley and Ka Man Parkinson connect with Re-Alliance's James Atherton (Permaculture Lead, Communication & Storytelling Lead) and Ansiima Casinga Rolande (Correspondent and Regenerative Settlements Storyteller) to find out more.Tune in to learn about Re-Alliance’s work and mission and how environmentally and culturally grounded, regenerative strategies can be used to manage escalating crises, including climate and conflict displacement.Personal stories: Hear how James and Rolande's personal journeys and lived experiences shape and guide their permaculture work and practices.Concepts demystified: From sustainability to permaculture, learn what these mean and what they can look like in humanitarian response.The case for regenerative approaches: Hear the economic case and 'co-benefits' of permaculture.Localisation, strengthened: Discover how regenerative approaches ‘in place’ align with localisation and building resilient communities.Scaling approaches: Hear more about the team's Kaya course and their vision for growing this knowledge across the sector. Who this conversation is for This conversation is for humanitarian practitioners and community-based responders, and those helping their own communities to thrive in challenging contexts. It is also for leaders in any humanitarian and development organisation who are interested in learning how they can adopt permaculture principles in policies and processes.  For show notes, speaker bios and conversation transcript, visit the podcast webpage:www.humanitarianleadershipacademy.org/resources/exploring-permaculture-and-regenerative-humanitarian-responseThanks for listening. Please help us to grow this podcast by subscribing and leaving a review on the platform you're listening from. Thank you! 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 Fan Mail What does real partnership look like in Sudan? The mutual aid response to the humanitarian crisis in Sudan offers a blueprint for rethinking humanitarian partnerships.Bashair Ahmed, hosts this exploratory conversation with key actors in the Sudan response Safaa Dawoud, Taylor Dudley, and Federico Motka. The discussion analyses how Sudan's ongoing conflict has challenged conventional humanitarian responses and accelerated a shift towards locally led action. Examining how local organisations, mutual aid groups and community volunteers became the first and most effective responders when international agencies were unable to access many parts of Sudan due to insecurity; the conversation delves into more of the following themes:Mutual aid as the backbone of the response: how trusted community networks including Emergency Response Rooms (ERRs), volunteer groups and local organisations were already embedded within communities and could respond immediately while international actors faced significant access constraints.Evolving to genuine partnership: challenging traditional humanitarian funding models and arguing that localisation should mean more than local implementation. Instead, local organisations should have direct access to funding, decision-making authority, flexible financing and long-term relationships with donors.The evolving role of donors: how Vitol Foundation and Center for Disaster Philanthropy deliberately shifted more than 75% of their international humanitarian funding directly to local and national organisations. Lessons from SudanThe panel reflects on several important lessons including that supporting the wider ecosystem including local NGOs, community groups and diaspora networks is essential for sustainable humanitarian responses.Visit the episode webpage for more information:From Policy to Practice: new funding and partnership models across Sudan - Humanitarian Leadership AcademyThanks for listening. Please help us to grow this podcast by subscribing and leaving a review on the platform you're listening from. Thank you! 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 Fan Mail"It is in spaces like this we get inspiration, this is where we build networks, this is where we connect to others that ultimately translates to improvement for the lives of others because the networks that we build in these kinds of spaces help us to mobilise resources for instance, or co-create or plan together and it becomes improvement for people on the field or in the communities." - David HabbaOn July 7 and 8, 2026, over 100 humanitarians from across Nigeria convened for Humanitarian Xchange Abuja. The room included technical experts, community organisations, researchers, local, national and international actors all responding to a broad spectrum of humanitarian crises in Nigeria from Adamawa to Zamfara."Nigeria, home to one of the world's largest populations, remains at the centre of many of these challenges. Yet it is also home to an extraordinary community of humanitarian actors committed to finding solutions and driving change. That is why HX Abuja is so important. The need for stronger coordination among humanitarian actors has never been greater. No single organisation can address the scale of today's challenges alone. When we coordinate effectively, we reduce duplication, use resources more efficiently, amplify local leadership, and ensure that assistance reaches those who need it most." - Duncan Harvey, Country Director Save the Children NigeriaSome key topics covered at HX Abuja included localisation, access to data, innovation, humanitarian–development–peace Nexus, safety and security, shifting power, capacity sharing, stabilisation and peace, climate-migration nexus, youth leadership, advocacy and finance, accountability, safeguarding and more.In this special episode of Fresh Humanitarian Perspectives, Nwando Okoh HLA Comms and Marketing Lead records live from #HXAbuja in conversation with truly inspiring HX Abuja participants Raquel Kasham Daniel, Maryam Hassan Gambo, Stephen Olushola Oladepo, David Habba, Dr Biobele Davidson, Rukaiya Ibrahim and Philip Ali Yidawi.The 7 share their reflections on the first HX in Nigeria - from the conversations held to the expected impact on the collective response in Nigeria.HX Abuja was organised by Save the Children Nigeria and Humanitarian Leadership Academy with support from Google.orgLearn more about the speakers here: https://www.humanitarianleadershipacademy.org/resources/reflections-from-hx-abuja/Thanks for listening. Please help us to grow this podcast by subscribing and leaving a review on the platform you're listening from. Thank you! 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 Fan MailWhen we talk about co-designing humanitarian AI systems with communities, what does this look like in practice - and what happens when systems fail to address real world humanitarian complexities?The HLA's Ka Man Parkinson sits down with three practitioners who have been an integral part of the HLA/Data Friendly Space humanitarian AI research and convening journey over the past year: Musaab Alhadi, Ali Al Mokdad and Nour Arab.They explore tensions between humanitarian realities and the promise of new systems, while also looking at the exciting potential of AI in transforming humanitarian learning in the area of AI and beyond.Tune in for a candid and honest conversation exploring:People first: Why people, culture and communication must come before any AI system – and experiences of when there's been a disconnectBeyond tech framing: Why ethical AI is a power discussion, not a technology discussion - and the sharp lessons learned from digital transformation the sector cannot afford to ignoreThe humanitarian stress test: What operational realities in the ground in Sudan, Lebanon and beyond tell us about the limits of AI systems designed far from contextBeyond HQ: Why AI literacy for frontline responders and local leaders is critical - and what that means for the localisation agendaHumanitarian AI learning now and in the future: Reflections on the new Ethical AI Kaya microlearning and imagining the future of AI-powered learningVisit the episode webpage for a conversation transcript, speaker bios and links.www.humanitarianleadershipacademy.org/resources/keeping-communities-at-the-heart-of-ai-for-humanitariansThanks for listening. Please help us to grow this podcast by subscribing and leaving a review on the platform you're listening from. Thank you! 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 Fan MailHow can humanitarian organisations develop responsible and ethical approaches to AI - during a time of deep funding shortfalls and structural change? During 2025-2026, the HLA and Data Friendly Space have been leading the world's first study to track how humanitarians are using AI. We're sitting down for a mid-year conversation to take stock and discuss what the data and insights point to what is urgently needed next to support responsible AI adoption across the sector.The HLA's Ka Man Parkinson and research co-lead Madigan Johnson from Data Friendly Space catch up to reflect on the second phase of the Humanitarian AI research, and the recent release of a new Ethical AI use and decision-making in humanitarian work Kaya learning module on kayaconnect.org - created with and for humanitarians.Tune in to hear a candid discussion of what the sector picture looks like in 2026 including:Why AI literacy and governance that meets practitioners where they are is criticalBeyond the prompt: Why AI literacy is about people, communication and decision-makingWhy AI preparedness matters - even if you're not planning to use AIHow AI literacy and ethical approaches can be explored through a humanitarian lens - including conflict sensitivity and anticipatory actionPractical recommendations for individuals and organisations navigating AI decisionsWho this conversation is forThis episode offers a global perspective on AI adoption trends in 2026 - it is suitable for anyone with an interest in the use of AI in humanitarian work and no technical knowledge is required. It will be of particular interest to leaders and decision makers in the humanitarian and development sector navigating AI adoption decisions as well as to policy makers, funders and donors. It also provides useful sectoral context for technologists and researchers.Visit the episode webpage for speaker bios, links and a conversation transcript: https://www.humanitarianleadershipacademy.org/resources/the-humanitarian-ai-paradox-in-2026-a-literacy-and-leadership-challenge Stay tuned! This is the first instalment of a two-part conversation. In the second episode, Ka Man will be joined by Musaab Abdalhadi, Ali Al Mokdad and Nour Arab for powerful conversation exploring some of the tensions between operational realities and the promise of AI systems.  Thanks for listening. Please help us to grow this podcast by subscribing and leaving a review on the platform you're listening from. Thank you! 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 Fan Mail"The real question is whether the humanitarian system is willing to distribute power fast enough to match that reality. Because ultimately, localisation is not about politics. It's about trust, decision making, resources, recognition, and whether the people closest to the crisis are also closest to the decision shaping of the response." - Julio Simancas, Head of Partnerships and Localisation, Save the Children, Sudan In this episode of Fresh Humanitarian Perspectives, hosted by Musaab Alhadi in conversation with Julio Simancas, we continue the Eyes on Sudan series which focuses on amplifying voices of local humanitarian actors in Sudan. The first episode in the series - At the Table or on the Menu questioned what true participation means to first responders on the ground in Sudan.This episode asks a similar question but to an INGO also responding in Sudan - what does localisation actually mean in practice?Listen to Julio share how Save the Children in Sudan is approaching real localisation. Hear him dissect his personal approach to localisation, what organisational and sector-wide challenges or barriers are and how these are being tackled to achieve a humanitarian system that is fully localised. Learn more about the speakers and the episode here: https://www.humanitarianleadershipacademy.org/resources/from-policy-to-practice-how-localisation-really-works-in-sudan/ Thanks for listening. Please help us to grow this podcast by subscribing and leaving a review on the platform you're listening from. Thank you! 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 Fan Mail In the face of profound and rapid change, how are humanitarian organisations rethinking communications in 2026? The humanitarian landscape is changing quickly - shaped by AI, funding pressures, and shifting audience expectations, raising critical questions about how organisations communicate, connect, and build trust. In this episode, Amanda Hinkel-Mauceri, Director of Marketing and Communications at Humentum, and Gülsüm Özkaya, International Humanitarian Affairs Coordinator at IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation join the HLA's Ka Man Parkinson for a candid conversation on how communicators adapting to these challenges.Tune in to hear open and honest peer reflections on what’s changing, what’s working, what’s not - and how communications can help shape the sector’s future, including:Reframing communications: What funding pressures, rapid technological developments and changing audience expectations mean for communications.Communications as research: How communicators are generating original knowledge - from AI adoption to the ethics of AI-generated imagery - and how this is informing and shaping practice.AI opportunities and challenges: How AI is reshaping humanitarian communications - and the generational and organisational differences in adoption and readiness.The attention challenge: Navigating a fragmented, algorithm-driven media environment with rising content saturation and 'AI slop'.The human-in-the-loop: Balancing the tension between speed and responsibility, particularly ethical imagery and content creation. For shownotes, speaker bios, episode transcript and links, visit the episode webpage:https://www.humanitarianleadershipacademy.org/resources/attention-algorithms-and-ai-how-humanitarian-organisations-are-rethinking-communications-in-2026/ Thanks for listening. Please help us to grow this podcast by subscribing and leaving a review on the platform you're listening from. Thank you! 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 Fan Mailكيف يمكن للقادة المحليين تجاوز الحواجز المنظومية لإحداث تغيير إنساني حقيقي؟"نحن ليس لدينا مشكلة طموح... المشكلة هي بالفرص." – علي المقدادفي هذه الحلقة باللغة العربية من بودكاست آفاق إنسانية جديدة، يستضيف فيصل مسلط، مدير مشروع الاستجابة للأزمات في الأكاديمية الإنسانية للقيادة (HLA)، علي المقداد، القائد الاستراتيجي الأول، في حوار صريح حول معنى القيادة في السياقات الإنسانية المعقدة.كلاهما اخترق الحواجز التي كثيراً ما تحول دون تقدم المواهب المحلية — من الافتراضات التقييدية حول المؤهلات وجوازات السفر والجامعات والجنسية والخلفية، إلى التصورات الضيقة حول من يُعدّ مستعداً للقيادة — وكلاهما خرج بدروس مكتسبة بصعوبة يستحق مشاركتها.من خلال قصص شخصية عن الإحباط والرفض ولحظات الاختراق، يستكشفان ما الذي يتطلبه النمو فعلاً كقائد محلي، ولماذا لا يكفي الشغف وحده أبداً، وكيف يمكن للأفراد والمنظمات أن يكونوا على مستوى أفضل.الصوت باللغة العربية. النصوص متاحة باللغتين العربية والإنجليزية.https://www.humanitarianleadershipacademy.org/resources/ar-the-road-is-not-easy-but-it-is-possible-ليس-الطريق-سهلا-لكنه-ممكنThanks for listening. Please help us to grow this podcast by subscribing and leaving a review on the platform you're listening from. Thank you! 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 Fan MailHow does blockchain and cryptocurrency fit into broader conversations on humanitarian sector reform? Are they a temporary 'fad' - or are there deeper applications and implications worth exploring meaningfully today? When we hear the terms cryptocurrency and blockchain in the humanitarian context, we may consider these as deeply technical and financial domains that may not be relevant to those beyond the field of cash and voucher assistance (CVA). Today's podcast guests make the case that when we talk about who can see where money is going - and who can't - we're not just having a technology conversation: it is a critical protection issue that the sector cannot afford to ignore. Alex Bornstein and Natalie Eskinazi from the Zcash Foundation came to this field through a motivation to tackle longstanding challenges facing the sector. In conversation with Ka Man Parkinson, Alex and Natalie set out their optimistic yet grounded and candid vision for these technologies and their potential role in humanitarian sectoral reform and change. Tune in to this accessible conversation to hear:"Innovation theatre": why pilots aren't becoming programmes, and what needs to changeWho needs to be in the room: the case for democratising this conversation across roles, organisations and moreKey concepts demystified: a breakdown of key concepts, from distributed ledgers to zero-knowledge proofsWhy financial privacy is a 'do no harm' issue - and what visibility costs the people that humanitarians are here to serveReal applications for the sector, including cash and voucher assistance, treasury management, localisation, and moreVisit the episode webpage for speaker bios, transcript, and links to resources:https://www.humanitarianleadershipacademy.org/resources/privacy-as-protection-rethinking-blockchain-cryptocurrency-and-humanitarian-sector-reform/ Thanks for listening. Please help us to grow this podcast by subscribing and leaving a review on the platform you're listening from. Thank you! 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.