The Future of Humanitarian Action: The Power of Communities

In place of what has been an in-person Prize Ceremony and Symposium, the Hilton Foundation is once again hosting a virtual Prize Ceremony and an online conversation series in partnership with Devex under the theme The Future of Humanitarian Action: The Power of Communities.

Record forced displacement, growing inequality, catastrophic natural disasters exacerbated by climate change, the fallout from a once-in-a generation global pandemic, and protracted armed conflicts raging on multiple fronts. In this context, is the humanitarian system that exists today fit-for-purpose? This series brings together thought leaders from around the world to discuss these pressing humanitarian issues, and to look at the ways we must build our future together, as well as the unique paradigm shift required to make the shifting and sharing of power a reality. Learn more by visiting The Future of Humanitarian Action series.

Hilton Humanitarian Prize Ceremony

Wednesday, October 13 // 9 a.m. ET

This year marks the 26th anniversary of the Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize — the world’s largest annual humanitarian award presented to a nonprofit organization judged to have made exemplary and extraordinary contributions toward alleviating human suffering.
 
The 2021 Hilton Humanitarian Prize Ceremony is dedicated to recognizing the work of this year’s Prize recipient, CAMFED, the Campaign for Female Education. Featured speakers include Angeline Murimirwa, CAMFED executive director – Africa, and Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, former United Nations under-secretary-general and executive director at UN Women, with Soledad O’Brien as the emcee. Four-time Grammy Award winner Angélique Kidjo also gives a special performance.

Conversation Series

This three-part series brings together thought leaders from organizations around the world—including this year’s Hilton Humanitarian Prize recipient CAMFED—to discuss the importance of girls’ education in addressing some of the world’s most pressing needs. In this context, how can the power of communities propel girls and young women through education and galvanize community action to tackle inequality?

These conversations will answer these questions and highlight the ways we can build a more equal future for women and girls everywhere.

Conversation 1: The power of girls’ education and women’s leadership to transform communities, countries and economies.

Moderator Kate Warren, executive vice president, Devex, speaks with panelists Dr. Shungu Gwarinda, director of programmes, Graça Machel Trust; Fadzi Whande, senior diversity & inclusion adviser, executive direction and management, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights; and Angeline Murimirwa, executive director – Africa, CAMFED, about how investing in girls’ education and women’s leadership has the power to transform communities, countries and economies.

Conversation 2: Good governance for girls’ education: Creating an enabling environment.

Moderator Rumbi Chakamba, associate editor, Devex, speaks with Diana Ayala, lead, CEAAL Youth Group in Honduras, and GPE youth leader; Jo Bourne, chief technical officer, Global Partnership for Education; Sarah Brown, founder, Theirworld; Barbara Chilangwa, executive advisor – government relations, CAMFED; and Lydia Wilbard, national director, CAMFED Tanzania, about the ideal environments needed to ensure girls’ attendance in school, as well as the ways girls’ education can support stable and peaceful societies.

Conversation 3: Girls’ education and women’s leadership as drivers of climate resilience.

Moderator Deborah Charles, managing editor, Devex, speaks with panelists Fiona Mavhinga, executive advisor, CAMFED Association; Christina Kwauk, research director, Unbounded Associates, and nonresident fellow – global economy and development, Center for Universal Education, Brookings; Komal Narayan, climate activist and volunteer, Fiji-based Alliance for Future Generations; and Beth Roberts, director, Center for Women’s Land Rights, Landesa, about how investing in girls’ education increases resilience to climate change and is also the foundation for women’s climate leadership and climate action.

Perspectives on change: Elena Bonometti and Penda Mbaye

Hilton Prize Laureate Tostan’s Elena Bonometti and Penda Mbaye share their views on the need for more participatory, holistic, and locally-centered humanitarian action.

Perspectives on Change: Githinji Gitahi and Patrick Lembwakita

How has the humanitarian sector shifted over the past few decades and what’s needed to further ensure a people-centered approach to aid? Hilton Prize Laureate AmrefHealth Africa’s Dr. Githinji Gitahi and local champion Assistant Chief Patrick Lembwakita weigh in.

Perspectives on Change: David Miliband, IRC and Betty Idde, Togoletta

How has the humanitarian sector evolved in recent years and where does it go from here? Hilton Prize Laureate IRC’s David Miliband and Togoletta’s Betty Idde weigh in.