Humanitarian markets: challenges and opportunities for innovation

Date/Time: 2^nd December 2015

Location: PRIO

In the third seminar of the Humanitarian Innovation Lab dialogue series, Norwegian and International stakeholders are invited to discuss ‘the humanitarian market’. It has been acknowledged that the humanitarian relief system needs a paradigm shift, in which private enterprises are invited to the table of collaborations. In our discussion, we will focus on the structures of the humanitarian market as per today and new approaches that are taken to foster innovation in private-humanitarian partnerships. This debate on humanitarian market structures includes whether or not it should remove itself from the status as a quasi-market.  Should emergency relief contexts be regarded as direct market opportunities, or are there other and more responsible approaches that can foster humanitarian innovation?

09:00     Welcome and introductions

Kristin B Sandvik: Challenges of the humanitarian market

09:30      Panel discussion between NRC, NCA, MSF, ICRC and NOREPS representatives:

What are the challenges facing humanitarian markets today? A practitioner’s perspective

• The relationship between private and humanitarian sector
• Selection processes and follow up – drivers, barriers and accountability
• Humanitarian market: quasi-or direct market opportunities?
• The roles of local partners and systemic approaches
• Creating longer term opportunities for innovation and impact in humanitarian markets: is it possible (and meaningful)?

11.30     Lunch

12.15      Academic perspectives on the private/humanitarian relationship:

Brita Fladvad Nielsen: ‘Mapping of multiple agendas to understand and increase the impact of product, service and system innovation in humanitarian action’

Linnet Taylor: ‘Innovation, disruption and competition in the humanitarian sphere’

Marianne Jahre: Title to be determined

13:45      Coffee break

14:00      Panel discussion:

The humanitarian sector and private sector actors: a problem of values or objectives?

 

The discussions will continue with an informal dinner for those who wish (TBD).

The seminar is in English.

Contact info:          brita.nielsen@ntnu.no Tel: +954 24 055