This transformation is all the more necessary as the current crisis foreshadows the systemic crises which loom as a result of climate change, environmental degradation, the depletion of non-renewable resources and the interconnectedness of our economies and societies. These aggravating factors and their interactions increase the frequency and severity of natural and technological disasters, favor the emergence of future health crises, exacerbate social tensions surrounding the access to resources and, finally, make societies that have become structurally vulnerable increasingly fragile.
In the midst of the current context, international solidarity actors face important operational constraints in a rapidly changing international and multilateral environment. At the same time, new forms of solidarity are emerging with local actors who are increasingly competent and at the forefront of local responses. All this calls – once again – for a rethinking of our models of development and humanitarian intervention and a transformation of our outlooks and practices.
In continuance of the Autumn School on Humanitarian Aid 2019, and following the works published by our COVID-19 Observatory, we invite you to join us in reflecting on two main topics:
- Firstly, drawing lessons from the ongoing crisis: what have we learned thus far? What needs to be strengthened or done differently? This first part will constitute a forum in which findings will be shared from the various participating aid actors (RETEX).
- Then, by carrying out a future-oriented analysis: how can we better prepare ourselves for the many upheavals to come? This second part will consist of a collective reflection based on contributions from researchers and analysts from several disciplines.