Humanitarian Leadership Academy

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

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

What a day!! is a beautiful wrap! The overwhelmingly positive reflections from the amazing humans of HX Abuja reinforc...
08/07/2026

What a day!! is a beautiful wrap! The overwhelmingly positive reflections from the amazing humans of HX Abuja reinforce the importance of convening spaces like !

In his closing remarks, Huseyin Arslan, HLA’s Senior Lead for Humanitarian Response and Leadership shared that “when we started this journey, our ambition was not simply to organise another conference. It was to create a space where people from different organisations, sectors, experiences, and communities could come together as equals—to listen, to connect, and to imagine a stronger humanitarian ecosystem for Nigeria.”

He added that “over the past two days, we have heard inspiring stories, exchanged practical solutions, celebrated innovation, and, perhaps most importantly, built new relationships. Participants’ openness, willingness to share, to challenge ideas, and to learn from one another is what made HX Abuja truly meaningful.”

And this is exactly what Humanitarian Xchange represents.

We say a massive thank you to Save the Children Nigeria colleagues for fantastic partnership and collaboration. Our gratitude extends to amazing panelists, volunteers, speakers, facilitators, exhibitors, participants - everyone who came together to make HX Abuja a resounding success.

humanitarian youthled NIGERIA HumanitarianResponse NigeriaResponse Kaya partnership collectiveaction

🔊 Join us for our Humanitarian Tech webinar held in partnership with NetHope: Collective action on localised humanitaria...
06/07/2026

🔊 Join us for our Humanitarian Tech webinar held in partnership with NetHope: Collective action on localised humanitarian AI: Unlocking solutions together
📅 30 July, 14.00 - 15.30 BST (UTC+1)

As AI choices move beyond general purpose, cloud-based tools, there is growing interest in more specialised approaches for humanitarian work - including localised AI solutions. What does this look like, and what will it take to move from individual organisational efforts to coordinated action?

Speakers:

▪️Kiggudde Deogratius, PMP®, Programmes Manager, The Upanzi Network at CMU-Africa
▪️Tino Kreutzer, Chief Operating and 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]

Join us as we explore emerging developments in localised AI and the choices shaping its adoption across the sector. Live attendees will be able to claim an HPass digital badge!

Register today to secure your space:

👉 www.humanitarianleadershipacademy.org/resources/collective-action-on-localised-humanitarian-ai-unlocking-solutions-together/

02/07/2026

❓ When we talk about co-designing humanitarian AI systems with communities, what does this look like in practice - and what happens when systems fail to address real world humanitarian complexities?

Part 2 of our humanitarian AI podcast conversation is out now: Musab Alhadi (Save the Children in Sudan), Nour Arab and Ali Al Mokdad (independent) speak to the HLA's Ka Man Parkinson, bringing perspectives from Sudan, Lebanon and beyond.

Tune in for a candid and honest conversation exploring:
🔹 People first: Why culture and communication must come before any AI system
🔹 Beyond tech framing: Why ethical AI is a power discussion - and the sharp lessons learned from digital transformation
🔹 Beyond HQ: Why AI literacy for frontline workers and local responders is critical – and what that means for the localisation agenda

▶️ This episode is available in audio and video format - tune in now!
https://www.humanitarianleadershipacademy.org/resources/keeping-communities-at-the-heart-of-ai-for-humanitarians/

29/06/2026

❓ How can humanitarian organisations develop responsible and ethical approaches to AI – during a period of deep funding shortfalls and structural change?

Join us as we unpack some of these very real tensions and pressing challenges in this new 2-part podcast series, bringing together global research data, operational perspectives, and lived experience.

Today we're releasing the first instalment: Ka Man Parkinson and Madigan Johnson take stock of what the joint HLA/Data Friendly Space (DFS) humanitarian AI research is telling us - and candidly reflect on what is urgently needed next to support responsible AI adoption across the sector.

Stay tuned for the release of part 2 later this week: a powerful conversation with humanitarians who have been an integral part of the research and convening journey - Musab Alhadi, Nour Arab and Ali Al Mokdad, bringing perspectives from Sudan, Lebanon and beyond.

Subscribe to Fresh Humanitarian Perspectives to make sure you don't miss it.

🔗 Tune in to the conversation - access the link in the comments section.

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