Opening of the Centre of Competence on Humanitarian Negotiation

More than 150 humanitarian practitioners and experts from around the world attended the opening of the centre. They shared their own experiences of humanitarian negotiations, that are confronting them with major challenges in armed conflicts nowadays. Relevant topics in this context are for example humanitarian access, the protection of medical missions, negotiations with armed groups, gender and diversity issues, as well as the expansion of capacities within humanitarian organisations.

The Centre's objective is to facilitate and promote the exchange and analysis of experiences and practices in humanitarian negotiations to enable humanitarian aid and protection to reach people in need rapidly and without hindrance. The Centre provides a forum for dialogue between various humanitarian organisations and a 'community of practice' comprising experienced humanitarian negotiators and leaders. The ICRC will host the Centre with the joint support of the five above-mentioned strategic partners for a period of five years.

The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs has promoted and supported the Centre from the outset: "Switzerland considers the Centre to be a crucial asset for humanitarian engagement and for humanitarian Geneva because it addresses some of the most urgent humanitarian challenges," said Mr Burkhalter at the opening.

Further information:

Humanitarian policy
Humanitarian Aid
Further information
Address by Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter

Address for enquiries:

Information FDFA
Bundeshaus West
CH-3003 Bern
Tel.: +41 58 462 31 53
Fax: +41 58 464 90 47
E-Mail: info@eda.admin.ch

Publisher:

Federal Department of Foreign Affairs