The IFRC Global Innovation Summit, which aimed to revolutionize humanitarian action through innovation, took place from June 26th to 28th in Nairobi, Kenya. The event brought together participants from around the world, both in person and virtually, to collaborate and generate creative ideas for transforming the IFRC network.
Secretary General Jagan Chapagain expressed his enthusiasm for the summit, describing it as “a fantastic opportunity to reimagine humanitarian action.”
He emphasized the importance of fostering a culture of innovation to effectively address the needs of the communities served by the Red Cross Red Crescent.
Hosted by the Kenya Red Cross Society, the summit went beyond a typical conference. It provided a platform for collaboration, idea generation, and the development of an innovative culture within the IFRC network.
Attendees had the option to attend the summit in person in Nairobi or join the digital and hybrid event online, which was open to anyone from the IFRC network.
During the summit, Secretary General Jagan Chapagain issued a three-part call to action. He highlighted the significance of collaboration, breaking down silos, and fostering partnerships to amplify the impact of humanitarian efforts. He also emphasized the need to invest in understanding the rapidly changing world, enabling the IFRC network to anticipate and address complex humanitarian crises effectively.
Additionally, he stressed the importance of empowering local innovators, recognizing them as the catalysts of positive change and the driving force behind collective success.
The three-day summit featured a wide range of workshops, including sessions on leveraging technology for transforming humanitarian response, disaster preparedness for teenagers, climate resilience through youth games, evidence-based planning for humanitarian aid, and understanding different types of innovators. These sessions provided valuable insights and learning opportunities for participants.
Ahmed Idris, Secretary-General of the Kenya Red Cross Society, set the tone for the summit during the opening session. He asked participants from 75 National Societies whether they aimed for transformative, disruptive, or revolutionary change or preferred an evolutionary process of incremental steps.
The summit, sponsored by the IFRC’s Solferino Academy and the Kenya Red Cross Society, received support from various partners, including the National Societies of the United States, Spain, Italy, Austria, Ecuador, Norway, and the Netherlands. Collaborating organizations such as the International Center for Humanitarian Affairs, the Climate Centre, and the Global Disaster Preparedness Center based in Nairobi also contributed to the success of the event.
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The IFRC Global Innovation Summit 2023 served as a transformative journey, reimagining and revolutionizing humanitarian action. By fostering a culture of innovation, the summit empowered the Red Cross Red Crescent to address the evolving needs of the communities it serves more effectively. The event marked a significant milestone in the IFRC network’s commitment to innovation and collaboration in the pursuit of humanitarian excellence.
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