Towards Establishing a Global Humanitarian Action Network in Southeast Asia

NOHA was born in 1993, at a time when many issues of Humanitarian Assistance were happening in the world: the rise of humanitarian needs in the context of the civil wars that broke out in the world after the Cold War, the initial impact of climate change, the increase in the scope and scale of humanitarian actors, as well as the need for new thinking in responding to the new humanitarian context. Initially, NOHA was established with 5 partner institutions to explore and promote the role of universities worldwide in humanitarian efforts. NOHA provides resources to European partners to promote education and research on humanitarian values ​​in Europe and is strongly supported by the European Commission (EC). Through this, the Network acts as a bridge between academia and humanitarian organizations worldwide.

Prof. Dr. Joost Herman (Chairman of the Global Humanitarian Action Network) chaired the meeting.

In the context of globalization, humanitarian issues also spread their influence throughout the world, requiring NOHA to expand its network to other regions. Therefore, NOHA's Global Vision has committed to:Each region globally will have a NOHA Network of Universities, aiming to contribute to the professional advancement of humanitarian action through relevant education and research activities.. To further realize this vision, NOHA has initiated an initiative for a NOHA Network in Southeast Asia. So far, 6 universities in Southeast Asian countries, namely Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam and Myanmar, have registered to become partners of NOHA. According to the plan, the NOHA Network in Southeast Asia will be established in November 2016 after NOHA collects relevant information from partner universities and agrees on the prospect of establishing this network. The University of Social Sciences and Humanities will become NOHA's partner in Vietnam.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh (Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities) introduced the training and research activities on humanitarian action at the University.

On behalf of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Associate Professor Dr. Pham Quang Minh introduced the research and training activities on humanitarian action and humanitarian law of the University. The University is one of the only institutions in Vietnam to organize training courses on International Humanitarian Law. The Faculty of International Studies of the University has coordinated with the Office of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Vietnam to organize courses and seminars on International Humanitarian Law, such as the seminar "Humanitarian Law and International Conflict" in September 2015 and the seminar "Humanitarian Action in Conflicts and Natural Disasters" in November 2015. The Faculty will also coordinate with the University of Queensland (Australia) to organize a seminar on Responsibility to Protect in the near future. In the near future, the Faculty will also add International Humanitarian Law to the regular undergraduate training program.

Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Quang Minh took a photo with Professor, Dr. Joost Herman and delegates attending the meeting.

After the introduction, the meeting took place with the following specific contents:

• Update on NOHA Southeast Asia’s development: Release of NOHA’s updated Global Strategy Report in the context of the upcoming Humanitarian Summit in May 2016 in Istanbul, survey of opinions on the role of NOHA Southeast Asia, discuss strategies towards establishing the NOHA Southeast Asia Network in the future.
• Discussion: Realizing a model of cooperation between parties, governance of NOHA Southeast Asia, expanding political influence and building funds, mutual support to build educational projects, and establishing the International Journal of Humanitarian Action to promote research.
• NOHA future prospects: Expand the network of universities closely linked to NOHA in Southeast Asia; expand the membership mechanism, calling for the participation of policy organizations, policy makers and civil society; announce the Action Plan to establish NOHA Southeast Asia in November 2016.