Humanitarian
& Development NGOs
Domain of Practice
The Hauser Center’s work with
humanitarian and development NGOs focuses on organizations
that work to reduce global poverty and relieve suffering in
humanitarian crises. Our efforts seek to enhance the impact
of the field by strengthening interactions between scholars
and practitioners.
Rebuilding
Post-Conflict Communities Event
With Nancy Lindborg,
President, Mercy Corps and Sherine Jayawickrama, Domain
Manager
Streams of work in
this domain include:
Blog: The
domain manages a blog that seeks to connect NGO
realities and challenges with insightful scholarly work
and, in turn, highlight NGO experiences and knowledge
that might ground and enrich scholarly work. Students
are encouraged to write reflective articles and
interview NGO leaders for the blog.
NGO Leaders Forum: The domain helps to convene the
NGO Leaders Forum, a semi-annual retreat for chief
executives of the major U.S.-based international relief and
development NGOs. These principals-only gatherings provide
sheltered space for CEOs to build trust, explore frontier
challenges and consider collective action on pressing
issues.
IANGO Workshop:
The domain co-convenes, with CIVICUS, the annual
International Advocacy NGO (IANGO) Workshop. The IANGO
Workshop gathers international NGOs and networks
advocating for policy change – in realms including
development, conservation and human rights – to help
their leaders explore shared challenges and foster
collaborative action.
NGO Leaders Seminar
Series: The domain sponsors a seminar
series that brings NGO leaders to Harvard to lead a
seminar, and engage with faculty and students on issues
of mutual interest. Over the past two years, the domain
has hosted leaders of CARE, ChildFund International,
Heifer International, InterAction, Mercy Corps, Save the
Children and World Vision.
Research: The domain conducts research on
topics expressed as priorities by NGO leaders. For example,
the domain has engaged in an inquiry process to articulate
the distinctive contributions of international NGOs and is
currently producing a set of case studies on structural and
governance reform within major global NGO alliances.
Student Engagement: The domain seeks to
link students with NGO careers, engage students in
exploring issues facing NGOs in their course work, and
connect students with NGO practitioners. For example, the
domain links students with opportunities to work with NGOs
on course-related projects and internships.
NGOs &
Development Study Group:
The domain convenes a biweekly study group that
considers issues related to the evolving roles of NGOs
and specific management, leadership and governance
challenges. Topics have included: dilemmas related to
measuring NGO performance; the puzzle of NGO legitimacy
and accountability; challenges of establishing and
sustaining an NGO; and evolving NGO advocacy related to
poverty and climate change.
To Engage with the Humanitarian &
Development NGOs Domain:
• Join the NGOs & Development study group – every other
Thursday at 4:30 pm @ Weil Town Hall
• Contact Sherine for help identifying
course-related projects
• Join our student discussions with NGO leaders and attend
our seminars and policy panels
• Write a guest post for the Humanitarian & Development
NGOs blog