*Improving learning and practice in the humanitarian shelter sector*
Two day conference hosted by the Centre for Development and Emergency
Practice (CENDEP), Oxford Brookes University and CARE International UK**
Oxford, 16-17 September 2010
/Funded by ELRHA (Enhancing Learning and Research for Humanitarian
Assistance)
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*Conference announcement*
While very few humanitarian organisations list post-disaster shelter
reconstruction as one of their main activities, many often become
instrumental in the delivery of large-scale shelter projects.
Yet, as the recent Haiti earthquake and previous large disasters such as
the Asian Tsunami and the Kashmir earthquake demonstrate, shelter after
disaster is complex, spanning immediate relief needs of security and
comfort to longer term developmental issues of land, ownership, funding,
community engagement and political control.
To tackle these tasks, humanitarian workers must collaborate with actors
from all sectors with varying agendas, seek to engage in coordination
for better effectiveness, while navigating situations which by
definition have been overwhelmed by catastrophe.
What then works well? What are the lessons that are emerging from
practice, and as a sector what can be learnt to improve effectiveness?
*Invitation for presenters*
The objective of this two day conference is to learn from and share
lessons from the practical experience/ /of shelter after disaster. To
these ends the conference will comprise invited speakers, plenary and
smaller seminar optional sessions. Presentations (case studies, papers,
reflective pieces) are therefore invited from researchers and in/
/particular from practitioners from NGOs, agencies and donors under one
or more of the following three themes:
1. Coordination, collaboration and partnerships: risks
and benefits of working with other NGOs, UN bodies, private sector and
governmental authorities
2. Community engagement: working with affected
communities in community ownership, donor and owner driven approaches etc.
3. Innovation in shelter approaches: developing and
using transitional shelter, working with shelter providers, new
approaches to shelter.
Outlines for possible presentations should be no more than 150-200 words
and should be submitted to the conference organisers *no later than May
15*.//
*Registration and costs*
The conference fee is £75. To register please go to:
*www.brookes.ac.uk/schools/be/research/cendep/shelters.html** *
For further information, registration and submission of outlines please
contact Jeni Burnell, conference organiser at: [log in to unmask]
<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
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