Reflecting on the enriching experience of today’s Humanitarian Networks and Partnerships Week (HNPW) 2024, hosted annually by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), we are grateful for the collaborative space it provided for practitioners and experts from diverse humanitarian sectors. The involvement of the Finnish Ministry of the Interior, alongside Savonia University of Applied Sciences and the ILCA project, added significant value to the event.
During the opening session on May 7th, Mr. Jari Honkanen from the Finnish Ministry of the Interior emphasized the importance of promoting long-term Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) collaboration between the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) organizations and Ukrainian organizations related to the green transition in Ukraine.
The sessions, “Climate Security in Humanitarian Crisis Situations” and “How to strengthen human capital in climate innovation in humanitarian crisis,” were led by esteemed moderators from EIT Climate-KIC (European Institute of Innovation and Technology), Ms. Solveig Zophoniasdottir and Ms. Pamela Ragazzi, respectively. These sessions aimed to promote sustainable solutions while adhering to the principles outlined in Agenda 2030, ensuring that no one is left behind.
Insights shared by participants from Savonia UAS, Finnish Meteorological Institute, and ILCA consortium members from Ukraine, Lithuania, Bulgaria, and Romania highlighted the necessity of collaboration and building ecosystems in order to introduce new solutions in local societies. Moreover, discussing accountability for the partners, participants emphasized the importance of communication, daring to ask questions, respecting traditional knowledge, and utilizing methodologies and tools for effective collaboration. Furthermore, the emphasis on data management as a crucial skill underscored the need for structured approaches in addressing complex challenges.
We believe the exchange of ideas and experiences has contributed to advancing our understanding and capacity to innovate in humanitarian crisis response. As we reflect on the outcomes of May 7th’s HNPW 2024, we are inspired to continue our collective efforts towards building a more resilient and sustainable future for all.
