Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs
Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Studies (CHRHS)

Improvisation & Innovation: Responding to Global Disasters and Crises

Saturday, May 26, 2018

11:00am – 12:00pm

MacMillan Hall Room 115, Brown University

Crises around the world ranging from armed conflicts to natural disasters continue to leave millions of people in need of humanitarian assistance. As the need for aid continues to grow with each passing year, so has the overall size of the humanitarian workforce and the diversity of actors involved in emergency response efforts. However, in order to remain relevant and meet these growing needs, global humanitarianism must learn to both improvise and innovate in reaction to the rising challenges of the 21st century.

This forum, moderated by Dr. Adam Levine, Director of the Humanitarian Innovation Initiative at Brown University, features a panel of Brown alumni that are working to address the critical needs of populations affected by disasters and crises. Join us to hear more about their work and ambitions to improve the delivery of humanitarian assistance to vulnerable populations around the world.

Alumni Panelists

Maria Kasparian (2005), Executive Director of Edesia

David Rutstein (1983), Founder and Executive Director of SolHEALTH

Han Sheng (2014) Disaster Response Field Director, GiveDirectly