On behalf of the International Scientific Advisory Board of DIHAD, I am most pleased to invite you to the ninth edition of this unique event: DIHAD 2012. Speaking of a unique event is no exaggeration: the past eight editions of the Conference have seen an incremental success and a sustained evolution towards a model that has no equal in the international aid world. With DIHAD 2012 we will strive to evolve still further in maintaining what is by now an acknowledged forum, where humanitarian and development policies and practices are shared, reviewed and potentially agreed upon - a true point of reference for the international aid community.
It is my pleasure to invite you, not only to attend, but to actively participate in this high-level event which will once again bring together international agencies, governmental and non-governmental organizations, foundations and charities, media representatives and academics, the corporate sector, Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies as well as individual practitioners and experts in development and humanitarian aid.
DIHAD 2012 aims to contribute to the current dialogue on aid issues by discussing some of the most pressing challenges currently facing the humanitarian assistance and development domains, 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, as well as strategic directions forward. While presentations by high-level experts will again provide the substantive backbone to all Sessions, DIHAD 2012 will ensure there is active interaction with and among the panelists and the audience, at all times. The Chairs of the Panels, as well as the "stand-alone" speakers, have been briefed accordingly.
In 2012, the Conference's theme will be centered on Youth: " The Role and Importance of Youth in Humanitarian Assistance and Development Activities". Lest we forget, and irrespective of one's own definition of "Youth": almost half of the world's population is now under the age of 25..
It is clear that much of what is being done in terms of humanitarian assistance and development is for the benefit of the youth of those countries and regions where these activities are undertaken. It is clear also that the youth in question have, increasingly vocally, influenced the nature of these activities. It is perhaps less clear, but nevertheless true, that it is the youth in question who are increasingly instrumental in the actual implementation of assistance programmes and development projects. This with good reason: it is the youth of today who have to live with what is accomplished. We thus think of youth as agents of change, as innovators; we think of the importance of ensuring that the necessary education and training facilities are in place, enabling the necessary skills to be imparted to those needing to capitalize on tomorrow's opportunities. We also think of taking full advantage of the assets represented by youth; youth and volunteering. We think of youth in post-conflict situations and their essential role in reconciliation.. We think of youth and Food Security, in the context of which the survival of so many depends on the policies we collectively adopt and implement ...These are some of the topics that will be addressed in the context of the Conference's theme. While not all aspects related to the importance and the role of youth will - or indeed can - be highlighted, there will be different perspectives and a variety of voices, including those of the youth we focus on.
In addition to topics related to the Conference's theme, DIHAD 2012 will include in it's programme (this to be replicated every year, from now on, as per the Board's decision to that effect) two standing agenda items. Firstly, there will be a Session on "Humanitarian Trends" which will touch on questions of "best practices" and methods of optimally implementing humanitarian assistance as well as development activities. While the focus may change from year to year, an attempt will be made to also seek and reflect a variety of points of view, to look at recently completed reviews and to make some educated guesses in regard to the future.
Secondly, there will be a Session on "Chronic Emergencies". There again, the focus will shift from one year to the next, enabling the Conference to review situations that may range from long-lasting crises caused by conflict to recurring climate-enduced natural disasters. In this latter context, the Board considered that the Conference makes yearly references to a number of protracted/chronic emergency situations and that it is useful (also as these continue to demand considerable attention and resources from the international community), to provide some sort of a yearly "update", as appropriate. This will also provide a degree of continuity, enabling previously held discussions to be referred to and/or elaborated on.
Thanks to the participation of an ever-increasing number of actors in the humanitarian and development fields (including the exhibitors), DIHAD 2012 will again constitute the perfect setting for the creation of new partnerships and for the reinforcement of existing ones. The yearly DIHAD event (to celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2013!) has become the place for all whose mandates and objectives include the provision of assistance - to the poor, the vulnerable and the victims of crises and disasters - to get together and share both ideas and experiences.
International assistance benefits greatly, as we know, from the knowledge which actors have about each other and about each other's capacities. Moreover, all concerned duly benefit from clarity, in regard to respective roles and mandates, and from a coordinated approach which enhanced mutual knowledge and understanding facilitates.
On behalf of the International Scientific Advisory Board, which I have the honour of being a part of since its inception, I thank you for contributing to the success of this ninth edition of what is now a universally recognized landmark event, focused on the region but drawing on global expertise and resources.
