From the high-level panel discussion.
HE ambassador Sheikha Alya bint Ahmed bin Saif al-Thani, Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Nations; Youssef bin Ahmed al-Kuwari, CEO of Qatar Charity; Mohamed al-Ghamdi, CEO’s Assistant for the Governance and Institutional Development sector at QC; Cornelius Willems, associate director and global chief of the Child Protection Programme, Unicef; Dagan Ali, executive director of Africa Development Solutions (Adeso); and Dr Danilo Türk, president of the Club of Madrid, took part in the panel discussion.
HE ambassador Sheikha Alya said Qatar has supported various global instruments that are key for local ownership with regard to humanitarian development action.
She added that Qatar Charity is always at the forefront of efforts to accelerate the localisation agenda, and has become one of the world’s largest humanitarian organisations that works to bridge the gap in the relationship between humanitarian aid and sustainable development.
Al-Kuwari underlined the importance of the role of local organisations in humanitarian work, noting: "The role of local organisations is not limited to implementing humanitarian interventions, but they must have equal opportunities to play leading roles and make strategic decisions at the national and international levels."
He indicated that QC allocates 30% of its budget to work with local executive partners and engage them in planning, implementing and assessing the impact, underscoring the need for local organisations to participate in decision-making. He said Qatar Charity pledges to promote localisation by strengthening and building capabilities.
Al-Ghamdi said there is a commitment from Qatar Charity to support employment and assist local authorities to achieve sustainable development.
He added that QC's efforts in the Middle East and North Africa focus on strengthening the capacities of local NGOs working in the field of child protection, and increasing funding for child protection.
Dr Türk said that there is an urgent need to consult local actors protecting children early by Unicef, in addition to the need to provide assistance early, stressing the need to allow local actors to play a key role in the field of humanitarian work.
Willems noted the need for co-ordination of humanitarian action by local and national authorities, and promoting key partnerships with local organisations while working on the adoption of comprehensive risk management.
Ali emphasised the need to pay attention to local humanitarian organisations, which have many capabilities to serve local communities, but lack the necessary funding.
The workshop highlighted the challenges facing humanitarian organisations and humanitarian workers operating in the field of child protection, searching for solutions to these challenges, and adopting the best means for humanitarian services.
