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ILS Duty of care pavilion and conference at AIDEX 2024

2024 ILS Duty of Care Pavilion & Conference Review Highlights

We returned to Geneva for ILS’ Duty of Care Pavilion and Conference curated and hosted by  the ILS team, in conjunction with AIDEX. The event provides security managers, HR  leaders, programming and operational staff a dedicated space to come together and discuss the challenges, solutions and the future of meeting integrated  duty of care obligations to aid workers.

The ILS Duty of Care pavilion and conference took place in Geneva over 2 days (October 23rd-24th), as part of the wider AIDEX Conference and exhibition.  

This ‘conference  within a conference’ considered topics including safety & security,  safeguarding / PSEA, wellbeing, staffing, insurance, cyber risk, legal issues, inclusion, travel and much more.

The pavilion was structured to include:

  • An exhibition area; featuring exhibits from leading duty of care suppliers, coordinating bodies and service providers to the sector.
  • Networking and peer support space providing access to thought leaders and consultants who are pushing forward the duty of care agenda in the sector.  
  • Conference area featuring case studies, discussion panels and workshops devoted to the sharing of knowledge, experience and good practice that support the core components of AidEx 2024’s theme.
Visit the AIDEX 2024 site >>Contact us to find out more >>

2024 ILS Duty of Care Pavilion & Conference In-depth Reviews

Day 1 - October 23rd 2024

Session

Time

Format

Title

1

10:00 - 10:15

Keynote

Delivering in Conflict: At what cost?

Speaker: Julie Dunphy (Head of security - UNHCR)

Opening remarks and opening of the Duty of Care pavilion emphasising the theme of AidEx 2024, "Revitalising Humanitarian Assistance – How do we deliver better aid in conflict-affected hot spots?"

2

10:20 - 11:15

Panel

Has it ever been this dangerous to be an aid worker?

Speakers: Jon Novakovic (Executive Director - GISF), Lynne Cripe (CEO - The Konterra Group), Christina Wille (Director - Insecurity Insight), Jon Beloe (Deputy executive Director - CHS Alliance), Rebecca Maudling ( Co-Founder - ILS)

2023 presented many challenges for the aid and development sector with multiple concurrent humanitarian crises demanding a response. Looking back at the year, what did we learn about our ability to deliver effective responses in a safe and sustainable manner?

3

11:25 - 12:15

Presentation

Lessons from "Protect Aid Workers": Providing Rapid Support to Aid Workers at Risk

Speakers: David Annequin (Protect Aid Workers Program Coordinator - GISF), Heather Hughes (Head of Global Membership and NGO Services - GISF) Kate Norton (Operations Director - Legal Action Worldwide)

Protect Aid Workers is a new initiative that supports humanitarian workers of national and international NGOs across the Middle East that have experienced a critical incident. The session will examine some prominent lessons and present preliminary learnings from the project.

4

12:25 - 13:15

Case Study

Insuring the Uninsurable: Navigating Coverage in Conflict Zones

Speakers: Simon Koe (Director Special Risks - Tysers Insurance Brokers/Lloyd’s Broker to HELP), Ed Roeder (Senior Broker Special Risks - Tysers Insurance Brokers/Lloyd’s Broker to HELP), Ash Cole (Partner& Senior Broker - CHC Global/ Lloyd’s Broker to HELP)

Accessing appropriate and affordable insurance in conflict effected contexts can be challenging. In this masterclass, we will look at some case studies from ongoing crises in Ukraine and Sudan.

5

13:45 - 14:40

Panel

Safeguarding in Action: Creating Contextually Appropriate Approaches

Speakers: Christine Williamson (Founder & Director - Duty of Care International), Martina Broström (Program Manager - CHS Alliance),  Emma Wokowu  (Team Leader - Resource and Support Hub (RSH)), Neelam Fida (Head of Program Quality - Islamic Relief)

A review of the safeguarding considerations, challenges and best practices when working in partnership and in different global contexts.

6

14:50 - 15:50

Workshop

Psychological Safety in Conflict Zones: A Cultural and Trauma Informed Approach

Speakers: Ruth Matoya (Counselling Psychologist - The Konterra Group), Lynne Cripe (Chief Executive Officer - The Konterra Group), Alison Giffen (Director of Strategy & Growth - The Konterra Group)

A discussion on the effects of stress, trauma, and cultural dynamics on mental health and problem-solving abilities and how psychological safety is critical to destigmatising psychosocial support. The session will highlight the importance of understanding trauma and integrating this knowledge into practices and policies to promote resilience and recovery in a contextually relevant manner.

7

16:00 - 17:15

Simulation

Crisis Management Workshop

Speakers: Nicola Griffiths (Senior Training & Safeguarding Advisor - ILS), Stephen Gluning (Director of Risk Advisory Services - ILS)

The ability to effectively manage a crisis or a critical incident is central to any international organisation’s duty of care. In the age of rolling news and widespread social media adoption, it is especially important. Join the ILS team to experience a crisis management simulation, understand the complexities and challenges of supporting staff and their families, and protecting your organisation during times of extreme stress and confusion.

Day 2 - October 24th 2024

Session

Time

Format

Title

8

10:00 - 10:55

Panel

AI in Humanitarian Aid: Boosting Impact, Navigating Risks

Speakers: Colin Pereira (Co-Founder - RiskPal), Francesca Bosco (Chief Strategy & Partnerships Officer - Cyberpeace Institute), Rishi Jha (Global Communications & Outreach Coordinator - IMMAP), Hovig Etyemezian (Head of Innovation - UNHCR)

As the power and application of artificial intelligence accelerates, this panel session with subject matter experts will examine where automation can support, and hinder, risk management operations.

9

11:10 - 12:25

Simulation

Mock Court Room: Cross Examination

Speakers: Adrian Powell (Managing Partner - Proelium Law)

Following Day 1's Crisis  Management workshop, Proelium Law LLP will perform a mock cross examination of a witness in a case that arises following a claim for negligence emerging from the scenario. The cross examination will be designed to demonstrate the pressures of giving evidence, highlight how discrepancies in processes, recall of incidents and an approach to duty of care can be exposed in legal proceedings.

10

12:40 - 13:10

Plenary

Policy in Action: Security Risk Management as a Strategic Enabler  for Humanitarian Organisations

Speakers: Dimitri Kotsiras (Research and Programmes Manager - GISF), Stephen Gluning (Director of Risk Advisory Services - ILS)

This session will unpack key learnings from an upcoming Strategy and Policy resource developed by GISF in collaboration with ILS offering organisations practical pathways to integrate security risk management (SRM) seamlessly into their strategic planning processes and goals. This session will examine key approaches and tools that can be leveraged to impact and support broader organisational strategies, policies and functions.

11

13:30 - 14:25

Panel

Adapting for the Future: Skills, Tools and Technologies in Conflict Affected Contexts

Speakers: Kathryn Taetzsch (Senior Global Director Humanitarian & Development - World Vision), Dave Young (Partner - BCG), Kate Roberts (Global Director of Staff Care - World Vision), Smruti Patel (Founder - Global Mentoring Initiative), Valentin Pistorizzi (Boldcode), Shivaang Sharma (UCL School of Management)

Considering shifting landscapes and intensified crises, how can technologies support staff capacity and  energise or supplement humanitarians without creating more risk, exposure, bias and manipulation. Join a panel curated and developed by World Vision International and panellists as they discuss the future of duty of care through the lens of adaptive skills, tools and technologies.

12

14:40 - 15:30

Panel

Queering Duty of Care: Applying an LGBTQ+ lens to risk management

Speakers: Adrian Guadarrama (Program Manager - MSF), Jamie Hagen (Lecturer in Global Politics - University of Manchester), Emily Dwyer (Co-Founder and Head of Strategy - Edge Effect), Artemis Akbary (Co-Founder and Executive Director - ALO), Nicola Griffiths (Senior Training & Safeguarding Advisor - ILS)

Queer communities have faced unique challenges across geographies, prompting the necessary development of participatory, inclusive and innovative solutions to complex problems. Join our panel of practitioners as we engage lessons learned, best practices and pathways forward as we apply a queer lens to risk management and duty of care.

13

15:45 - 16:15

Closing Keynote

Closing Remarks

Speakers: Olivier Vandecasteele (Founder - Protect Humanitarians)

Closing the Duty of Care pavilion and reflecting on key-points delivered across both days of AidEx.