At a time of reform and continuous change in the humanitarian community, 40 leaders of UN humanitarian organizations, NGOs, the Red Cross/Red Crescent movement, the IOM, and World Bank in Geneva held a first dialogue to explore ways of enhancing the effectiveness of humanitarian response in Geneva on 12 -13 July 2006. This meeting agreed to convene a Global Humanitarian Platform (GHP).

What is the GHP?

The GHP is a forum bringing together the three main families of the humanitarian community – NGOs, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and the UN and related international organizations. These families have a shared responsibility in enhancing the effectiveness of humanitarian action.

What is the purpose of GHP?

The overall goal of the Global Humanitarian Platform (GHP) is to enhance the effectiveness of humanitarian action. It is premised on the belief that no single humanitarian agency can cover all humanitarian needs and that collaboration is, therefore, not an option, but a necessity. Collaboration among a diverse group of humanitarian agencies can take different forms. The GHP aims at maximizing complementarity based on our different mandates and mission statements. Based on the principle of diversity, the GHP does not seek to convince humanitarian agencies to pursue a single mode of action or work within a unique framework.

  

 What will the GHP do?

In order to realize the GHP’s overall goal, the GHP will:

• Achieve a common understanding on the concept of partnership by developing “Principles of Partnership” (PoP), which will include principles such as diversity, mutual respect, responsibility, and transparency. Partners in the GHP will ensure that these principles will permeate their operations and actions.
• Invest in implementing the Principles of Partnership (PoP) in a growing number of countries. In the countries where the Principles of Partnership are implemented, organizations will need to take ownership of the process by which the Principles are put into practice.
• Engage in a dialogue on strategic issues of common concern and express views that seek to address these common concerns. They include: our accountability to the populations for, and with, whom we work; our strengthening of the capacity of local actors; the safety and security of our staff; and our roles in situations of transition.
• Meet annually to take stock of the progress to date and make adjustments, where appropriate. 

How will the GHP work?

A Steering Committee, designated during the 12-13 July 2006 meeting, will oversee the GHP process and set strategic directions. Mirroring the Steering Committee, a Working Level Group will work towards implementation of activities, which will be undertaken by all interested stakeholders (i.e. UN agencies, other international organizations, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and NGOs).

The GHP will not become an institutionalized structure with new layers of coordination and bureaucracy over the next three years, but will work in a flexible manner. The GHP seeks to complement and enhance the work of existing coordination structures, particularly at the field level. Consideration might be given to reconfiguring existing structures to ensure that the non-governmental humanitarian agencies are broadly and adequately represented. 

Who is part of the GHP and how can others get involved?

For the GHP to be effective, it is critical that the process is not perceived as one that is directed from the top all the way down to the field level. A new culture of partnership between humanitarian agencies can only emerge if the GHP is a broadly shared initiative that works on the basis of the same values and principles at all levels. While the GHP started with the agencies present at the 12-13 July meeting, the activities are not limited to those agencies.