Panel Discussion with MSF on Climate Change and Humanitarian Aid
As part of McMaster Global, the Global Health Office hosted a panel discussion with MSF titled Climate Change and Humanitarian Aid. Joined by Carol Devine, Head of Climate Smart and Tricia Khan, Patients and Populations as Partners Implementer at MSF, the discussion centered around sustainability within the humanitarian field, mitigating the effects of climate change, and community-based health approaches.
With climate change headlining the news, the conversation kicked off by learning about how MSF is adapting its humanitarian response and working to reduce their environmental footprint. While ‘beautiful things come from human connection’ states Devine, we know that collaboration needs to be purposeful. In order to measure their carbon footprint, MSF recently completed a “diagnosis test” using local data in five different countries: Canada, Geneva, Honduras, Mexico, and Kenya. This process which asked them to consider the unintended consequences of their work, propelled the organization to find alternatives courses of actions, which informed changes in behaviour and travel policies.
Currently, global health and humanitarian aid is still underpinned by a strong history of colonialism. When asked about ways to decolonize the humanitarian sector, Khan passionately discussed the importance of shifting how we think about supporting communities. She stated that, “we shouldn’t hold power because we are funders or think we have expertise knowledge; instead, we need to recognize the existing strength and knowledge of communities and support implementation of their own sustainable solutions.” In practice, this looks like working in close partnership with local communities and reassessing existing leadership structures to ensure that local voices are directing the trajectory of program vision.
“Decolonizing looks like a constant push to challenge the status quo.” Devine reiterated.
MSF strives to not only empower staff but also equip leaders by increasing leadership capacity. For example, the MSF learning academy targets individuals in medical programming to advance their professional development. Another program is Leadership Education Academic Program which is partnership with the London School of Tropical Medicine for MSF staff looking to broaden their understanding of humanitarian management and leadership.
Eager to work in collaboration with other organizations to allow for greater impact and reduced redundancy, MSF recognizes that advocacy is becoming as important as the local work in the fight for access and health equity. As Khan states, “in regards to planetary health, we are uniquely placed in that we work with communities that have been or will be exposed to the most extreme vulnerabilities, often due to climate change, and this position gives us the opportunity for collaboration and advocacy.”
When asked what they would recommend to young global health professionals, Khan advised, “The work is challenging, at times messy, yet rewarding.” In a similar sentiment, Devine states the importance of collaboration, laughter, and “leading by your values and principals”.
The full recording of the panel discussion can be viewed here.
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