Fresh Humanitarian Perspectives

Privacy as protection: Rethinking blockchain, cryptocurrency and humanitarian sector reform

Send us Fan MailHow does blockchain and cryptocurrency fit into broader conversations on humanitarian sector reform? Are they are a temporary 'fad' - or are there deeper applications and implications worth exploring meaningfully today? When we hear the terms cryptocurrency and blockchain in the humanitarian context, we may consider these with deeply technical and financial domains that may not be relevant to those beyond the field of cash and voucher assistance (CVA). Today's podcast guests make the case that when we talk about who can see where money is going - and who can't - we're not just having a technology conversation: it is a critical protection issue that the sector cannot afford to ignore. Alex Bornstein and Natalie Eskinazi from the Zcash Foundation came to this field through a motivation to tackling longstanding challenges facing the sector. In conversation with Ka Man Parkinson, Alex and Natalie set out their optimistic yet grounded and candid vision for these technologies and their potential role in humanitarian sectoral reform and change. Tune in to this accessible conversation to hear:"Innovation theatre": why pilots aren't becoming programmes, and what needs to changeWho needs to be in the room: the case for democratising this conversation across roles, organisations and moreKey concepts demystified: a breakdown of key concepts, from distributed ledgers to zero-knowledge proofsWhy financial privacy is a 'do no harm' issue - and what visibility costs the people that humanitarians are here to serveReal applications for the sector, including cash and voucher assistance, treasury management, localisation, and moreVisit the episode webpage for speaker bios, transcript, and links to resources:https://www.humanitarianleadershipacademy.org/resources/privacy-as-protection-rethinking-blockchain-cryptocurrency-and-humanitarian-sector-reform/ Thanks for listening. Please help us to grow this podcast by subscribing and leaving a review on the platform you're listening from. Thank you! For more resources for the humanitarian community, visit humanitarianleadershipacademy.org/resources The views and opinions expressed in our podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of their organisations. 

True Youth Involvement and the Humanitarian Reset

Send us Fan Mail"This humanitarian reset will fail if young people are not involved in the conversations" - Abdulrazak Abubakar, Co-Founder of Kaleri Youth Group NigeriaIn this special segment of the podcast, Amouki Kaayou, Jocelyn Keller, Judy Mwangoma and Pure Esumei - young professionals attending and volunteering with the UNOCHA HNPW Secretariat for this year's Humanitarian Networks and Partnerships Weeks HNPW shared their perspectives on the humanitarian reset with Nwabundo Okoh, HLA Communications and Marketing Lead.HNPW is the world’s largest annual gathering dedicated to humanitarian networks and partnerships. This year focused on 'The Humanitarian Reset' with over 300 sessions covering a range of relevant topics including locally-led crisis response, technological innovation, youth leadership and more.Find more information here: True Youth Involvement and the Humanitarian Reset - Humanitarian Leadership AcademyKeywords: Localisation, Youth Leadership, Youth engagement,  Humanitarian Reset, HumanitarianThanks for listening. Please help us to grow this podcast by subscribing and leaving a review on the platform you're listening from. Thank you! For more resources for the humanitarian community, visit humanitarianleadershipacademy.org/resources The views and opinions expressed in our podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of their organisations. 

How are humanitarians using AI in 2026? Launching the next phase of our research

Send us Fan MailTracking trends in artificial intelligence adoption across the humanitarian sector through a new pulse survey To mark the launch of the January 2026 pulse survey, Ka Man Parkinson and Lucy Hall from the Humanitarian Leadership Academy, and Madigan Johnson from Data Friendly Space discuss this next phase of their groundbreaking humanitarian AI research.Building on insights from their foundational 2025 study with responses from over 2,500 humanitarians across 144 countries and territories, the team is launching a short survey to track any shifts in key areas of AI adoption across the sector in 2026. In this conversation, they reflect on the 'humanitarian AI paradox' that was revealed in the baseline study as well as real-world impact of the research to date. They share what they hope to learn in this next phase of research – from what is happening with organisational pilots to emerging use cases.Tune in to learn about how your participation in the new 5-minute pulse survey - open between 12-31 January 2026 – can help the sector understand and navigate AI adoption during this period of unprecedented change.💬 "What really struck me from our research last year is what we termed the humanitarian AI paradox – 93% of humanitarians use AI tools, with about 70% using AI daily or weekly, but only 8% actually work in organisations where AI is widely integrated." – Madigan Johnson 💬 "A survey can have this real-world impact that's grounded in evidence. If we can be of service to the sector with everyone's help by filling in the survey, just think what can happen – this really motivates us in our mission to support locally-led humanitarian action." – Ka Man Parkinson💬 "This is a space where real stories, real evidence is really shaping an emerging sector. It's your voice that matters, we're the vessel to channel your voice through." – Lucy HallVisit the episode webpage for the survey link, show notes including episode transcript, speaker bios and links. The survey will be open between 12-31 January 2026 with insights shared from February.www.humanitarianleadershipacademy.org/resources/how-are-humanitarians-using-ai-in-2026-launching-the-next-phase-of-our-researchThanks for listening. Please help us to grow this podcast by subscribing and leaving a review on the platform you're listening from. Thank you! For more resources for the humanitarian community, visit humanitarianleadershipacademy.org/resources The views and opinions expressed in our podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of their organisations. 

Humanity, dignity, agency: a call for shifts in humanitarian leadership - In conversation with Marina Kobzeva

Send us Fan MailHow can solidarity transform humanitarian leadership to truly centre communities? In this candid leadership-focused conversation, Marina Kobzeva speaks with Ka Man Parkinson about the humanitarian sector at a critical juncture - and the unlearning, reflection and change required of all of us. Drawing on her lived experience and two decades as a humanitarian leader, Marina explores how the system "projectises" crisis, and why the most effective response is often led by communities themselves outside formal humanitarian structures. Through powerful personal storytelling - from unnecessary chlorine tablets in aid packages to a small act of kindness that transcends conflict and division - Marina illustrates what solidarity looks like when stripped of bureaucracy. This is a conversation about unlearning, transformation, and the raw power of human connection.Visit the episode webpage for speaker bios, conversation transcript and links:www.humanitarianleadershipacademy.org/resources/humanity-dignity-agency-a-call-for-shifts-in-humanitarian-leadership-in-conversation-with-marina-kobzevaThanks for listening. Please help us to grow this podcast by subscribing and leaving a review on the platform you're listening from. Thank you! For more resources for the humanitarian community, visit humanitarianleadershipacademy.org/resources The views and opinions expressed in our podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of their organisations. 

Humanitarian AI podcast series | Developing AI literacy: a matter of trust, critical thinking and localisation

Send us Fan MailHow can humanitarian organisations bridge the AI readiness gap through critical thinking and localised approaches? Humanitarian organisations face a critical challenge: while individual staff members are racing ahead with AI experimentation in their daily work. According to new research from NetHope, only around 9% of nonprofit organisations report being fully ready for systematic AI adoption. This gap between individual curiosity and institutional preparedness isn't just about access to tools - it's about building the right competencies to use AI responsibly and effectively.In this episode, guest host Madigan Johnson from Data Friendly Space speaks with Meheret Takele Mandefro, Business Analyst at NetHope's Centre for the Digital Nonprofit. Drawing from her powerful journey - from witnessing educational inequality in rural Ethiopia to experiencing digital isolation during conflict - Meheret brings a unique perspective on what AI literacy truly means for the humanitarian sector.Drawing from NetHope's AI Readiness Benchmark research, Meheret reveals the challenge isn't technological - it's human, strategic, and deeply contextual.Tune in for a practical, grounded conversation exploring:Why AI literacy must go beyond technical skills: The often-overlooked competencies of critical thinking, ethical decision-making, cultural intelligence, and change leadershipThe critical role of culturally sensitive, localised approaches: How AI can complement rather than replace traditional knowledge systems and indigenous wisdomBalancing urgency with competency development: Dual-track approaches that deploy safe AI tools for immediate needs whilst building long-term skills through iterative practiceHow blended learning ecosystems truly work: Integrating formal training with peer-to-peer learning, working groups, and real-world case studiesPlus, practical guidance: How smaller organisations can begin their AI literacy journey and why the sector needs to think critically about whether, when, and how to adopt AIVisit the episode webpage for show notes including speaker bios and full transcript:www.humanitarianleadershipacademy.org/resources/humanitarian-ai-podcast-series-developing-ai-literacy-a-matter-of-trust-critical-thinking-and-localisationThanks for listening. Please help us to grow this podcast by subscribing and leaving a review on the platform you're listening from. Thank you! For more resources for the humanitarian community, visit humanitarianleadershipacademy.org/resources The views and opinions expressed in our podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of their organisations.