Panel details

Panel organiser(s) will be presenting	In-Person / Online
Number of paper presentations	0

Abstract

Over the past few decades, the humanitarian sector has undergone significant changes, including the 2017 “New Ways of Working” initiative and a growing movement toward human rights-based programming and localization. However, the sector still struggles to meaningfully incorporate community voices and decolonization principles, and to drive systemic change. A full-scale disruption may no longer be a radical proposition, but an idea that demands strong consideration. Recognizing that traditional pathways are insufficient, this panel seeks to explore how “disruptive” innovations can catalyze more sustainable and equitable solutions. Given the rapidly changing humanitarian landscape, there is an urgent need for renewed design and future practice.

Recent initiatives have begun to leverage alternative models of humanitarian action, including stronger partnerships with local actors and civil society organizations. For example, Humanitarian Observatories, organized spaces that observe trends and processes in humanitarian governance and propose changes when needed. Participants can include, for example, national aid providers, civil society actors, researchers, think tanks and government representatives. Observatories create locally rooted spaces for learning, exchange, strategic thinking, and action exemplifying a novel method of localization. Other emerging disruptive methods may involve leveraging technology and AI, adopting innovative organizational and leadership models, advancing knowledge generation and management, and creative programming to more effectively address needs, particularly those of displaced persons, migrants, and refugees.
This panel invites researchers and practitioners to explore and critically assess such methods for action and influence. It seeks to showcase needs-based, community-driven strategies offering scalable, adaptive and sustainable pathways for broader system transformation. The panel serves to inspire and learn with and from each other.

Paper presentations

Available soon.