Towards establishing a Global Network for Humanitarian Action in Southeast Asia

NOHA was founded in 1993, at a time when numerous humanitarian issues were unfolding globally: the burgeoning humanitarian needs in the context of civil wars following the Cold War, the initial impacts of climate change, the increasing scope and scale of humanitarian actors, and the need for innovative thinking in responding to the new humanitarian landscape. Initially, NOHA was established with five partner institutions to explore and promote the role of universities worldwide in humanitarian efforts. NOHA provides resources to its European partners to promote education and research on humanitarian values ​​in Europe and receives significant support from the European Commission (EC). Through this, the Network acts as a bridge between academia and humanitarian organizations worldwide.

Professor Joost Herman (Chair of the Global Network for Humanitarian Action) chaired the meeting.

In the context of globalization, humanitarian issues are also spreading their influence worldwide, requiring NOHA to expand its network to other regions. Therefore, NOHA's Global Vision is committed to:Each region globally will have a Network of NOHA Universities, aiming to contribute to promoting humanitarian action professionally through relevant education and research activities.To further realize this vision, NOHA has launched an initiative for a NOHA Network in Southeast Asia. Currently, six universities in Southeast Asian countries – Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Myanmar – have registered to become NOHA partners. According to the plan, the NOHA Network in Southeast Asia will be established in November 2016 after NOHA gathers relevant information from partner universities and reaches a consensus on the prospects for establishing this network. The University of Social Sciences and Humanities will become a NOHA 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 Pham Quang Minh introduced the University's research and training activities on humanitarian action and humanitarian law. The University is one of the few institutions in Vietnam that organizes training courses on International Humanitarian Law. The Faculty of International Studies has collaborated with the International Red Cross Committee Office in Vietnam to organize courses and workshops on International Humanitarian Law, such as the seminar "Humanitarian Law and International Conflict" in September 2015 and the workshop "Humanitarian Action in Conflicts and Natural Disasters" in November 2015. The Faculty will also collaborate with the University of Queensland (Australia) to organize a workshop on Responsibility to Protect in the near future. The Faculty will also soon add International Humanitarian Law to its undergraduate program.

Associate Professor Pham Quang Minh poses for a photo with Professor Joost Herman and other delegates attending the meeting.

Following the introduction, the meeting proceeded with the following specific agenda items:

• Update on the development of NOHA Southeast Asia: Announcing the newly updated NOHA Global Strategy Report in the context of the upcoming Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul in May 2016, surveying opinions on the role of NOHA Southeast Asia, and discussing strategies towards establishing a future NOHA Southeast Asia Network.
• Discussion: Realizing a collaborative model among the parties, governing NOHA Southeast Asia, expanding political influence and building a fund, providing mutual support for educational projects, and establishing an International Journal of Humanitarian Action to promote research.
• Future prospects for NOHA: Expanding the network of universities closely affiliated with NOHA in Southeast Asia; expanding membership mechanisms, encouraging participation from policy organizations, policymakers, and civil society; announcing the Action Plan for establishing NOHA Southeast Asia in November 2016.