On behalf of the International Scientific Advisory Board of DIHAD, I am pleased to welcome you to the fifth edition of this unique event – DIHAD 2009. Speaking of a unique event is not an overstatement: the four past editions of the Conference have seen an incremental success and a constant evolution towards a model that has no equal in the international aid world. With DIHAD 2009 we will strive to evolve further in creating an authoritative forum where policies and practices are discussed, agreed upon and disseminated – a real point of reference for the entire international aid community.

It is my pleasure to invite you to participate in this high-level event, which will once again bring together international agencies, governmental and non-governmental organizations, media representatives, academics, as well as individual practitioners and experts involved in development and humanitarian aid.

DIHAD 2009 aims to contribute to the current dialogue on aid issues by discussing some of the most pressing issues currently facing the humanitarian domain, as seen – where relevant – from the Middle East perspective. As per the established DIHAD tradition, such discussions will not be held for the sake of dialogue alone, but rather with the aim of identifying clear, practical and realistic lessons learned. In parallel with the policy dialogue, DIHAD 2009 will host highly participatory events aimed at the dissemination of lessons learned and best practices to a wide audience of humanitarian and development aid workers.

Thanks to the participation of so many different actors (including the exhibitors), DIHAD 2009 will constitute a perfect setting for the creation of new partnerships and the further expansion of existing ones. International aid coordination in general will greatly benefit from a better mutual knowledge and understanding and by joint discussions over issues of common concern. Finally, DIHAD 2009 will also constitute an ideal platform to agree upon and disseminate key advocacy messages on behalf of the international aid community.

On behalf of the Scientific Advisory Board I thank you for contributing to the fifth edition of what is successively proving itself to be the most dynamic and thought provoking event of its kind in the Middle East region – DIHAD 2009.

Mr. Gerhard J. W. Putman-Cramer
Vice Chairman of DISAB
Chief, Emergency Services Branch
Deputy Director
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Geneva.