INVITATION: 'Humanitarianism in the Network Age' London launch

[Spike (Chris Foote)]

Dear all!

This is an invitation that has come my way via the UN.

1st May 2013 - 3:30pm to 6pm
How is access to communications technology changing the way that people
cope in emergencies?

What does this mean for the future of humanitarian response?

The Communicating with Disaster Affected Communities Network (CDAC
Network), and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of
Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) are pleased to invite you on May 1st, 2013
from 3.30pm � 5:00pm to a launch event and discussion on the new OCHA
publication �Humanitarianism in the Network Age�. The event will be
hosted by the GSM Association (GSMA) and will be followed by drinks up
to 6pm.

�Humanitarianism in the Network Age� looks at how new communications
technologies are already affecting people�s behaviour in emergencies.
It looks forward to a future of increasingly informed, connected and
self-reliant communities, of important new actors and partners,
especially in the private sector, and a response environment in which
information can be generated by anyone, in real time, on a many-to-many
basis.

The report argues that as the difference between life and death in a
crisis is increasingly dependent on the capacity to connect with others,
communications and information need to be seen as basic needs in their
own right. It also stresses that the ways in which humanitarian
information is collected, shared and analysed needs to change
fundamentally. Data has to be open source and available to all,
including local populations. New information systems also mean new
risks, as well as protection interests that need to be addressed.

The report finds that this vision of the future is not one for which
humanitarian responders are currently equipped, but to which they must
adapt � or risk becoming increasingly out of touch with the populations
they seek to serve.

Please join us for a lively and candid discussion that will look at
these and other issues around the way communities are using technology
to respond to disaster and the future of humanitarian response.

Speakers:
Imogen Wall, Coordinator, Communicating with Disaster Communities, UNOCHA

Kyla Reid, Head of Disaster Response, GSMA

Tushar Barot, Assistant Editor, User Generated Content Hub, BBC

Onyekachi Wambu, Director, Engagement & Policy, AFFORD (African
Foundation for Development)

The panel chair will be Brendan Gormley, current Chair of the the CDAC
Network.

Tickets will be issued on a 'first-come, first-served' basis. Due to
limited availability and security requirements it is advised that you
book early and confirm 48 hours in advance to facilitate access to the
venue on the date.

The event will be live tweeted (#commisaid and #HINA)

Sign-up at http://ukhina.eventbrite.co.uk/#

See you there?

Spike