Global Humanitarian Platform
Working Level Group

Minutes of meeting and action points

6 November 2006, IFRC, Geneva

Distributed 28 November 2006

Participants:

Co-chairs
Eva von Oelreich, SCHR
Kasidis Rochanakorn, OCHA

WLG Members
Ed Schenkenberg, ICVA
Robert Mister, IFRC
Johanna Grombach, ICRC
Kathrin Schick, Voice (on the phone)
Jim Bishop, InterAction (on the phone)

Other participants
Jamie McGoldrick, OCHA, HRSU
Sune Gudnitz, OCHA, HRSU
Marilena Viviani, IASC Secretariat
Mark Prasopa-Plaizier, Oxfam (support to non-UN Co-chair)

1. Organizational Structure - Working Level Group (broaden UN participation)

In line with the Steering Committee (SC) members' decision on Oct 12, OCHA contacted the three operational agencies based on two criteria: presence in Geneva and substantial relations with the NGO community.

UNHCR, UNICEF, WHO are interested and will be represented by Alan Jury, WFP, Pierrette Vu Thi, UNICEF, and Nick van Praag, UNHCR. OCHA will liaise.

2. Presentation of Humanitarian Platform objectives and scope

The aim of such a presentation is to ensure identical messages with regards to objective and scope of the global platform, how it relates to other initiatives (relationship with IASC, humanitarian reform etc.).

• ICVA, with support from HRSU and IFRC, to provide draft of Powerpoint presentation by end of November.

• Presentation to be endorsed by SC as soon as possible, latest at the January SC meeting.

3. Principles of Partnership (PoP)

This is an essential aspect of the Global Humanitarian Platform initiative. Some elements are already expressed in the Co-Chairs' summary of the July '06 meeting ("equality, diversity, transparency, mutual accountability and complementary roles"). It will set the framework for future relationships and determine mindset. Although substantive progress must be shown by July next year to retain legitimacy, ownership is crucial to achieve buy-in.

• ICRC to consult with organisations that expressed interest in working on the PoPs and prepare first draft; field perspectives must be included from the outset. HRSU to liaise with UN operational agencies to get input.

• Initial "architecture" of the PoPs by end of November.

• First draft to be ready before the end of the year.

4. Countries for Testing Principles of Partnership and Partnership Teams

Uganda, Colombia, and Sri Lanka have been selected by the SC as possible pilot countries to test how the principles are put into practice, once developed. The WLG members had received expressions of doubt as to the appropriateness of some of those country contexts. It was also seen as important to include a sudden-onset natural disaster. The lack of criteria for choosing country contexts was identified as a weakness.

• SCHR (Mark) to propose set of criteria for selection of countries by end of November.

• IFRC to prepare proposal of a natural disaster context in each Latin America, Africa and Asia to be considered once criteria have been agreed on.

5. Participation at the Global Platform meeting

Invitations to the July '06 meeting were based on a set of criteria established by ICVA, SCHR, and InterAction. More emphasis should be given to participation of national and regional networks and criteria may need review. It was also pointed out that feedback from the July '06 meeting clearly indicated the need to invite 1+1 from each organisation/agency.

• ICVA to circulate July '06 meeting participation criteria.

• SCHR, InterAction, and ICVA to review them and propose criteria for July '07 meeting, taking into account needs to increase participation of Southern and Eastern actors. Deadline end December.

6. Consultation strategy

Consultations will be an important means of involving both IASC and a broader number of organisations than those who will participate in the July '07 Global Humanitarian Platform. There is a need to include both headquarters and field level, UN and non-UN humanitarian actors.

• HRSU will prepare a simple framework and include main IASC dates as a basis for further work of the WLG.

7. Communication strategy

This agenda item will be addressed at next WLG meeting (December '06).

8. Taking Strategic Issues Forward

It is seen as too early to determine which strategic issue (and if more than one) will be relevant to discuss in next year's platform meeting. It is expected that work on the PoPs will provide a basis for further conceptual thinking as requested by SC.

• To be discussed at a later stage with input from the testing countries.

9. Statement on Issues of Common concern

To be addressed at next WLG meeting (December '06).

10. Planning for the next Humanitarian Platform dialogue

a) Date for the next Humanitarian Platform dialogue

The meeting does not need to be linked to the dates of the ECOSOC humanitarian segment.

• WLG members to consult their principals on proposed dates: first option 11-12 July, 2007, second option 10-11 July, 2007.

• IASC Secretariat to check on ECOSOC humanitarian segment dates to avoid conflict of agendas.

b) Agenda

• Proposed agenda was agreed (progress report on work done to strengthen collaboration between UN, RCRC and NGOs since the July 2006 meeting, substantive discussion of a single strategic issue; and adoption of a common statement).

c) Organisation of meeting

To be discussed at a later stage.

11. Supporting Initiatives

The workshop, originally planned for 2006, is likely to be postponed until early 2007 to ensure better representation of Southern and Eastern NGOs. A mechanism for selecting participants is currently being developed by HRSU in consultations with WLG members. DFID, Sweden and Norway, as well as other donors may be interested in supporting similar initiatives at the regional level.

• Information noted.

12. Dates for future meetings/conference calls

• SC teleconference proposed date: 15 (or 16) January 4-6 pm. WLG members to confirm with their principals. Confirm to Co-Chair (Eva).

• SC Meeting: 30 April 2007, 8-10 am, in New York (coinciding with the IASC Principals' meeting). Confirm to Co-Chair (Eva).

• WLG meeting/teleconference: December 8, 3-5 pm, at OCHA Geneva (Kasidis' Office).

End of meeting