Humanitarian Leadership Academy

Humanitarian Leadership Academy We are accelerating the movement for locally led humanitarian action.

01/10/2026

🌎 How can academic AI research directly shape and inform humanitarian response?

Joshua Beretta, Humanitarian Programme Lead at KoboToolbox, has just completed his master's research on humanitarian AI. His thesis builds on some of the key findings from the 2025 global humanitarian AI study we conducted with Data Friendly Space (DFS) - and contextualises and deepens it in Colombia's linguistically diverse context.

Joshua caught up with the HLA's Ka Man Parkinson to share his insights and to discuss areas of convergence in their research, including low AI literacy and governance levels, and growing shadow AI use.

Yet, practitioners in Colombia also shared that AI helps them rely less on Global North expertise. Joshua's research raises the question: isn't inaction the biggest risk?

Read the full interview - and share your thoughts with us.
https://www.humanitarianleadershipacademy.org/resources/humanitarian-ai-research-in-action-a-humanitarian-technologists-view-from-colombia/

💬 "The new Gaza must be built as a green, clean Gaza."We're pleased to release episode 2 of our podcast series, 'Local l...
01/10/2026

💬 "The new Gaza must be built as a green, clean Gaza."

We're pleased to release episode 2 of our podcast series, 'Local leadership in humanitarian action: Voices from Palestine.'

In this climate-focused discussion, the HLA's Huseyin Arslan speaks with Dr Jad Isaac, Director General of the Applied Research Institute - Jerusalem (ARIJ). Jad shares his experiences and discusses the environmental toll of the crisis in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Hear about local adaptation efforts and Jad's vision for renewable energy in a rebuilt Gaza.

Listen to the conversation - the episode is in Arabic language, with English captions. Transcripts in Arabic and English are also available.

Arabic language webpage:
https://www.humanitarianleadershipacademy.org/ar/resources/%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%aa%d8%ba%d9%8a%d9%91%d8%b1-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%85%d9%86%d8%a7%d8%ae%d9%8a-%d9%81%d9%8a-%d9%81%d9%84%d8%b3%d8%b7%d9%8a%d9%86-%d8%a3%d8%a8%d8%b9%d8%a7%d8%af%d9%87-%d9%88%d8%aa%d8%af%d8%a7/

English language webpage:
https://www.humanitarianleadershipacademy.org/resources/climate-change-in-palestine-its-dimensions-implications-and-mechanisms-for-adaptation/

💬 "Your podcast makes me feel at home." – a humanitarian practitioner in UgandaThis International Podcast Day, we're cel...
30/09/2026

💬 "Your podcast makes me feel at home." – a humanitarian practitioner in Uganda

This International Podcast Day, we're celebrating Fresh Humanitarian Perspectives and the global community of guests and listeners behind it.

Since launching in 2023, the podcast has explored the pressing challenges of the day, from the evolving nature of humanitarian response and capacity sharing to technological change and AI, reaching listeners in 165+ countries along the way. 👉 Swipe to see more of the journey!

Thank you for listening and being part of the conversation! 🎙️

❓ Which episode has stayed with you, and what should we explore next? We'd love to hear from you!

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and all major platforms!

Buzzsprout

18/09/2026

🎉 A milestone a decade in the making: kayaconnect.org has reached 1 million registered learners!

10 years ago, the Humanitarian Leadership Academy set out to make high-quality, contextualised humanitarian learning free and accessible to anyone, anywhere.

Today, that vision is a global Kaya community - one million people strong spanning 195 countries - building the skills to respond when it matters most.

This milestone isn't just about numbers: it tells the story of the inspiring commitment and dedication of global humanitarians to learn and upskill. We thank you!

None of this incredible scale and real-world impact would have been possible without our partners and funders, whose support has kept Kaya free and open throughout. Thank you for believing in this mission with us.

Here's to the next million. 🌍

Save the Children UK

We are pleased to announce the launch of a new Arabic-language podcast series, produced in partnership with Save the Chi...
17/08/2026

We are pleased to announce the launch of a new Arabic-language podcast series, produced in partnership with Save the Children, giving local humanitarian leaders in the Occupied Palestinian Territory a platform to share their own insights on the challenges, innovations, and opportunities shaping humanitarian and development work.

The series opens with an episode featuring Fady Abed, Director of Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children in Gaza in conversation with the HLA’s Huseyin Arslan, reflecting on the challenges of leading a community response: "We were displaced with them, we remained with them."

Listen to episode one, Arabic audio with English captions. An English language companion article is also available:

🔗 https://www.humanitarianleadershipacademy.org/news/launch-of-new-podcast-series-on-local-leadership-in-humanitarian-action-voices-from-palestine/

10/08/2026

💬 "Localisation helps people grow and create a local system - with their own finances and resources - and to connect with the outer world when needed, rather than depend on it." - Ansiima Casinga Rolande, Regenerative Settlements Storyteller at Re-Alliance, on why community-led response matters more than ever.

♻️ The HLA's Fay Loosley and Ka Man Parkinson recently connected with Rolande and James Atherton from Re-Alliance to talk permaculture, localisation, and building resilience. In this enlightening discussion, hear James and Rolande's personal stories and lived experiences, concepts demystified, and their urgent case for regenerative approaches.

🎧 Tune in to the full episode on your favourite podcast platform and explore Re-Alliance's free course on Kaya - links in the comments. We'd love to hear any reflections or feedback from our community!

2025 was a year of change but also one of new foundations for us at the HLA.As the humanitarian sector navigated funding...
06/08/2026

2025 was a year of change but also one of new foundations for us at the HLA.

As the humanitarian sector navigated funding pressures, technological change and increasingly complex crises, the Humanitarian Leadership Academy took the opportunity to sharpen its focus.

Our 2025 Snapshot highlights how we:
📍 Completed the £14m DEC-funded SHIFT programme
🌍 Delivered Humanitarian Xchange events in Baghdad, Kampala and Port Sudan
🎓 Welcomed 94,298 new hashtag users
🤝 Supported 24 local organisations across six countries through coaching and mentoring
📚 Published six locally led research studies

Most importantly, we launched a new strategy centered on strengthening local leadership and convening local voices, because the future of humanitarian action depends on those closest to crisis leading the response.

Pawel Mania, Director of the HLA says:
"We believe that strengthening local leadership and convening local voices are essential to building a more effective and more equitable humanitarian system... This isn't a new direction. It's a renewed commitment to the purpose that has always driven us."

Download our 2025 Snapshot �https://www.humanitarianleadershipacademy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/HLA-2025-Snapshot.pdf

Read our 2025 Snapshot and discover how we're helping accelerate the movement for locally led humanitarian action.

HLA x NetHope webinar | Collective action on localised humanitarian AI: Unlocking solutions together📅 Thursday 30 July, ...
23/07/2026

HLA x NetHope webinar | Collective action on localised humanitarian AI: Unlocking solutions together
📅 Thursday 30 July, 14.00 BST [UTC+1]

One week to go! We invite you to join us for our next webinar held in partnership with NetHope. We already have 350+ registered to join us for what promises to be an informative and inspiring discussion on localised AI approaches for humanitarians.

Speakers:
🔹 Kiggudde Deogratius, PMP®, Programmes Manager at The Upanzi Network at CMU-Africa
🔹 Tino Kreutzer, Chief Operating & Innovation Officer, KoboToolbox
🔹 Meheret Takele Mandefro, Digital Transformation Analyst, NetHope
🔹 Esther Grieder, Director, Membership Engagement, NetHope [opening remarks]
🔹 Ka Man Parkinson, Communications Lead, HLA [host]

Read more and sign up on Zoom to join us:
👉 www.humanitarianleadershipacademy.org/resources/collective-action-on-localised-humanitarian-ai-unlocking-solutions-together/

In support of the earthquake response, we have launched an open access Response Learning Hub. This hub aims to provide...
15/07/2026

In support of the earthquake response, we have launched an open access Response Learning Hub.

This hub aims to provide contextualised self-learning materials for humanitarian and non-humanitarian workers.

Featured resources cover a range of areas including:
▪️ Introduction to Needs Assessment in Emergencies
▪️ Introduction to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene ( ) in Emergencies
▪️ Psychological First Aid for Children
▪️ Foundations of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support ( )
▪️ Helping Older People in Emergencies

Resources are available in a range of languages, including Spanish and English. Due to the rapidly evolving situation, the content in this hub will be updated.
Access the resources and please share with your networks:
🔗 https://responselearninghub.org/venezuela

Save the Children UK

***

En apoyo a la respuesta ante el terremoto en Venezuela, hemos lanzado un Centro de Aprendizaje para la Respuesta de acceso abierto.

Este centro tiene como objetivo ofrecer materiales de autoaprendizaje adaptados al contexto para personal humanitario y no humanitario.

Los recursos destacados abarcan diversas áreas, entre ellas:
▪️ Introducción a la evaluación de necesidades en emergencias
▪️ Introducción al agua, saneamiento e higiene (hashtag ) en emergencias
▪️ Primeros auxilios psicológicos para niños y niñas
▪️ Fundamentos de salud mental y apoyo psicosocial ( )
▪️ Cómo ayudar a las personas mayores en emergencias

Los recursos están disponibles en varios idiomas, incluidos el español y el inglés. Debido a la rápida evolución de la situación, el contenido de este centro se irá actualizando.

Consulta los recursos y, por favor, compártelos con tus redes:
🔗 https://lnkd.in/emqwfvQ2

📢 We're excited to share that the Kaya Mobile app is back and better than ever!📱 The app makes it easy for you to learn ...
10/07/2026

📢 We're excited to share that the Kaya Mobile app is back and better than ever!

📱 The app makes it easy for you to learn flexibly and on-the-go. Access the online courses you have joined via the Kaya platform on your smartphone or tablet, so you can continue learning while on the move and even offline.

✅ From deep dive courses to express modules, explore the collection and download the app today!

Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/kaya-mobile/id6758660129
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.moodle.kayamobile&hl=en_GB

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