Estonian Refugee Council’s International Humanitarian Conference Focuses on the Sector's Future and Ethical Dilemmas

04/11/2024
Eesti Pagulasabi humanitaarkonverents 2023
Estonian Refugee Council´s humanitarian conference in 2023 at Fotografiska

The Estonian Refugee Council will host an International Humanitarian Assistance Conference on 7 November at Fotografiska in Tallinn. Returning for its second year, the conference focuses on ethics, anticipatory action, and the use of artificial intelligence in humanitarian action.

The conference brings together a diverse group of experts and panellists from international humanitarian organisations to delve into the future and the evolving challenges faced by the humanitarian sector. 

According to the Director of the Estonian Refugee Council, Eero Janson, humanitarian organisations face difficult decisions due to protracted crises, limited access, and decreasing funding. “Global cuts in humanitarian funding, coupled with escalating needs and waning respect for international law, place humanitarian organisations in challenging positions. At the same time, emerging technologies present opportunities to enhance the effectiveness of humanitarian response, while also introducing risks that the sector must address. The International Humanitarian Assistance Conference aims to explore these complex issues, supporting practitioners and policymakers as they navigate the evolving landscape of humanitarian assistance,” Janson added.

The conference’s keynote speech will be delivered by Christina Bennett, CEO of Start Network. The conference will feature three panel discussions:

  • Between Scylla and Charybdis: Navigating the ethical dilemmas and moral conundrums in humanitarian settings 

This panel seeks to promote a deeper understanding of the moral dilemmas inherent in humanitarian work.

  • The possibility of foresight in conflict settings: Exploring strategies of preparedness and anticipatory action in conflict settings to mitigate the impact of potential crises before they escalate

This panel discussion explores the effectiveness and challenges of anticipatory action with a focus on complex emergencies

  • The role of AI in humanitarian action: Potential and risks associated with the use of artificial intelligence in humanitarian response 

This panel discussion delves into the promising applications of AI in humanitarian action and the challenges that must be navigated to ensure that these technologies are used responsibly and effectively.

The conference gathers experts from a diverse range of international organisations, including ALNAP, Sphere, Data Friendly Space, INTERSOS, the International Red Cross, UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), and Start Network. For further information about speakers and the schedule, please visit the Estonian Refugee Council's website.

The conference will be held in English.

The conference is supported by ESTDEV – the Estonian Centre for International Development.

Humanitarian mission to Kharkiv in October
06/11/2024
Overview of the Estonian Refugee Council's Activities in October
Overview of the Estonian Refugee Council's Activities in October
A donation campaign in Estonia is still active to provide humanitarian aid for people affected by the conflict in Lebanon.On 7 November, we are organising an international humanitarian conference in Tallinn, which focuses on ethical dilemmas, preventive action, and the use of artificial intelligence.In Ukraine, we continue to distribute winter support to cover heating costs for 4,500 households during the upcoming winter season. Assistance will be provided in cash, or alternatively, firewood or coal will be delivered directly to those in need.A financial assistance programme was launched in Ukraine to increase food security and self-sufficiency for vulnerable households and communities by improving the winter living conditions of livestock and poultry.In Armenia’s Lori region, a women’s livelihoods programme started.Our Armenia office has signed an agreement with the Estonian University of Life Sciences to help three schools in the Tavush region implement water- and energy-efficient agricultural solutions developed in Estonia to alleviate water scarcity and promote environmental education.In Georgia, a cash assistance programme has been launched to support Ukrainian refugees living there through the winter months. For more information, visit the Estonian Refugee Council´s website.
Михайло Семесенко
15/10/2024
ERC supports vulnerable households with livelihoods in the Poltava region: the story of Mykhailo Semesenko
ERC supports vulnerable households with livelihoods in the Poltava region: the story of Mykhailo Semesenko
Mykhailo and his wife have been keeping cows for over 30 years. They started with one cow to have milk for themselves. Then they got more cows and delivered milk to the dairy. After losing their main job, keeping and breeding cows became the main source of income for the couple. A husband and a wife independently take care of animals, sell milk, as well as sour milk cheese, sour cream and fermented baked milk (ryazhanka) of their own production at the local market.
Talvine küttetoetus Ukrainas
09/10/2024
Overview of the Estonian Refugee Council's activities in September
Overview of the Estonian Refugee Council's activities in September
We launched a donation campaign in Estonia to provide humanitarian aid for people affected by the conflict in Lebanon.On 7 November, we are organising an international humanitarian conference in Tallinn, which is still open for registration. This year's conference will focus on ethical dilemmas, preventive action, and the use of artificial intelligence.The third season of the "Empowering Women" programme has begun in Estonia.We have launched a nursery school counselling programme in Estonia to strengthen inclusive learning environments.As part of Mental Health Month, we are organising a Mental Well-being Day in Tallinn on 12 October.In Ukraine, we have begun distributing winter support to cover heating costs for 4,500 households during the upcoming winter season. Assistance will be provided in cash, or alternatively, firewood or coal will be delivered directly to those in need.In Armenia’s Lori region, we launched a women’s livelihoods programme.
Lasteaedade nõustamisprojekt
08/10/2024
Estonian Refugee Council Supports the Creation of Inclusive Learning Environments in Kindergartens in Ida-Viru County and Tallinn
Estonian Refugee Council Supports the Creation of Inclusive Learning Environments in Kindergartens in Ida-Viru County and Tallinn
The Estonian Refugee Council (ERC) is advising specialists in kindergartens in Ida-Viru County and Tallinn to help create more integrated and inclusive learning environments. The programme, which runs until the end of January 2025, is supported by the British Council in Estonia. This is the fourth year the ERC has provided such consultation for kindergartens.
Cafe Tatysho
03/10/2024
A third-wave coffee shop in Poltava region as a symbol of the strength of the individual spirit
A third-wave coffee shop in Poltava region as a symbol of the strength of the individual spirit
In the small town of Kobeliaky, Poltava oblast, Iryna (33) opened a coffee shop, which immediately gained the favor of the locals. Iryna tells the story of its creation as follows: “Our TaTySho cafe appeared as a result of the desire to move further while I was on maternity leave. In addition, it was at the beginning of the full-scale invasion. In a short time, I developed a plan to open a cafe. My husband had the premises and materials, and at the end of February 2022, my parents and brother, who was a builder, fled from Kyiv for shelter. Thus, together we managed to open a decent place, which was quite unusual for such a local community”.
vaimse heaolu päev
26/09/2024
October is Mental Health Month: Rejuvenate Yourself on Mental Wellbeing Day
October is Mental Health Month: Rejuvenate Yourself on Mental Wellbeing Day
Estonian Refugee Council is organising a Mental Wellbeing Day on October 12th from 11 AM to 2 PM at the Tallinn Central Library’s Foreign Literature Department as part of Mental Health Month. The aim of the event is to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and to provide practical opportunities for supporting wellbeing through yoga classes, creative therapy, and individual counselling.
Kohtumine Filippo Grandiga Tallinna kontoris
19/09/2024
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees visited the Estonian Refugee Council and met with people of refugee background in Tallinn
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees visited the Estonian Refugee Council and met with people of refugee background in Tallinn
On 18 September, during his visit to Estonia, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, visited the Estonian Refugee Council's office in Tallinn and met with refugees living in Estonia at Teacher's House (Õpetajate Maja).
Conference
13/09/2024
International Humanitarian Assistance Conference: Ethics, Foresight & Innovation in Humanitarian Action
International Humanitarian Assistance Conference: Ethics, Foresight & Innovation in Humanitarian Action
The Estonian Refugee Council’s International Humanitarian Assistance Conference returns for its second year, taking place on November 7, 2024 in Fotografiska, Tallinn. The conference brings together a diverse group of experts and panellists from international humanitarian organisations to delve into the evolving challenges faced by the humanitarian sector.
Knowledge Exhchange projekt
12/09/2024
A Labour Market Cooperation Project Aimed at Refugees Launched with Latvia and Finland
A Labour Market Cooperation Project Aimed at Refugees Launched with Latvia and Finland
In early September, the Estonian Refugee Council team visited Finland to map out various opportunities for integrating refugees into the labour market as part of the joint Estonian, Latvian, and Finnish project "Knowledge exchange on labour market access modalities for refugees," which began in August.
View all News & Materials
Contact
Have questions or suggestions? Please fill out the contact form
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.