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Saturday November 7, 2009

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UPCOMING EVENT

Save to My PortfolioHumanitarian Response Index 2009: Clarifying Donor Priorities

Tuesday, November 10, 2009
3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Washington, DC

Reuters/Akhtar SoomroEvery year, humanitarian crises threaten the lives and livelihoods of over 250 million people worldwide, and donor governments must make the best use of their resources, knowledge and capabilities to respond to these challenges. On November 10, the Brookings-Bern Project on Internal Displacement will host the launch of the Development Assistance Research Associates Humanitarian Response Index 2009, which helps donor governments ensure that humanitarian assistance has the greatest possible impact for people suffering the effects of crises and disasters. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioThe Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons

Walter Kälin, October 26, 2009, United Nations General Assembly

The Human Rights of Internally Displaced PersonsSince 2004 there have been encouraging trends related to internal displacement. Walter Kälin notes that the use of the Guiding Principles as the relevant framework for protecting IDPs and the development of national and regional laws and policies on internal displacement have been positive trends. However, despite such positive trends, the challenges presented by climate change, the disregard for civilian populations in conflict zones, a shrinking humanitarian space, and protracted displacement situations still remain unchanged. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioNatural Disasters: Thinking Beyond Immediate Response

Elizabeth Ferris, October 02, 2009, Brookings-Bern Project on Internal Displacement

Natural Disasters: Thinking Beyond Immediate ResponseThe tragic earthquake in Sumatra, the tsunami in Samoa and the typhoon that hit the Philippines are just the latest in an increasing number of natural disasters. Last year alone natural disasters affected over 200 million people, killing 16,000 and displacing close to 50 million. Elizabeth Ferris evaluates the international capacity to respond to major disasters and argues that more should be done to reduce their impact. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioRegional Workshop on Protection and Response in Situations of Natural Disaster

September 23, 2009, Brookings-Bern Project on Internal Displacement

Regional Workshop on Protection and Response in Situations of Natural DisasterCentral America is a region constantly exposed to risks from natural disasters. It is important for governments to develop a human rights based approach to disaster response in order to decrease the likelihood of human rights violations of the victims of natural disasters. In order to promote the development of such strategies as well as strengthen the cooperation of humanitarian and human rights agencies in the field, CONRED, CEPREDENAC, and the Brookings-Bern Project, with the support of the Embassy of Switzerland, convened a workshop on disaster response and protection in situations of natural disaster in El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioProtection in Natural Disasters

Elizabeth Ferris and Diane Paul, September 22, 2009, Protecting People in Conflict and Crisis: Responding to the Challenges of a Changing World

Protection in Natural DisastersPeople affected by natural disasters such as floods, cyclones, earthquakes, volcanoes, and other calamities often face urgent protection needs that may not be immediately visible to humanitarian actors caught up in trying to provide water, food, shelter, medical care and other lifesaving assistance. In this paper, Elizabeth Ferris and Diane Paul provide an overview of protection challenges confronting those affected by natural disasters. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioLooking Ahead: Natural Disasters, Protection and Climate Change

September 16, 2009, Brookings-Bern Project on Internal Displacement

Looking Ahead: Natural Disasters, Protection and Climate ChangeThe effects of rapid climate change have led to an increase in natural disasters. The international system is seeking to strengthen and expand its approaches in responding to natural disasters, reflecting a sense of urgency and fresh perspectives. A more coordinated, adaptable and rights-based approach to sustainable development may offer vulnerable populations the ability to protect themselves from natural disasters. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioThe State of New Orleans: An Update 2009

Amy Liu and Nigel Holmes, August 27, 2009, The New York Times

In this New York Times “op-chart” Amy Liu analyzes the current state of the New Orleans region four years after Hurricane Katrina. Though rebuilding has blunted some of the recession’s effects, she notes that the city and region still face substantial housing, employment, and environmental challenges. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioReport of the Representative of the Secretary-General on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons

Walter Kälin, August 03, 2009, United Nations General Assembly

Report of the Representative of the Secretary-General on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced PersonsInternal displacement continues to be one of the world's major humanitarian and human rights challenges and many internally displaced persons (IDPs) experience serious violations of their human rights. In his annual report to the UN General Assembly, Walter Kälin argues that it is important to translate the increasing recognition of the human rights dimension of internal displacement at the international and regional levels into effective action at the national and local levels of government. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioThe New Orleans Index Anniversary Edition: Four Years after Katrina

Amy Liu and Allison Plyer, July 30, 2009, The Brookings Institution and the Greater New Orleans Community Data Center

Though New Orleans has been somewhat shielded from the recession due to its industry composition and ongoing rebuilding activities, four years after Katrina the region still faces major challenges due to blight, unaffordable housing, and vulnerable flood protection. New federal leadership must commit and sustain its partnership with state and local leaders by delivering on key milestones in innovation, infrastructure, human capital, and sustainable communities to help greater New Orleans move past "disaster recovery" and boldly build a more prosperous future. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioProtecting and Promoting Rights in Natural Disasters in South Asia

July 01, 2009, Brookings-Bern Project on Internal Displacement

Protecting and Promoting Rights in Natural Disasters in South AsiaSouth Asia is a "theater for disaster." In the past decade alone floods, cyclones, earthquakes, droughts, and a devastating tsunami destroyed hundreds of thousands of lives and livelihoods and left millions more homeless. In each disaster, humanitarian responders rushed to the scene to preserve human life and reduce immediate suffering. However, many times, human rights protection has been a secondary concern. This new report, based on a regional meeting in Chennai, India, discusses the challenges in incorporating human rights into disaster response in South Asia. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioClimate Change, Natural Disasters, and Internal Displacement

Walter Kälin, June 24, 2009, Committee on Migration, Refugees and Population of the Parliamentary Assembly, Council of Europe

Climate Change, Natural Disasters, and Internal DisplacementAn estimated 50-200 million people may move by the middle of the century as a result of the negative effects of climate change, either within their countries or across borders, on a permanent or temporary basis. While some of this movement may be voluntary, some of it will not. Walter Kälin points out that there are significant differences in both groups' situations and the responses to their migrations must also be different. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioBrookings-Bern Project on Internal Displacement: Annual Report 2008

June 05, 2009, Brookings-Bern Project on Internal Displacement

Brookings-Bern Project on Internal Displacement: Annual Report 20082008 marked the tenth anniversary of the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement—an occasion both to commemorate efforts over the past decade to uphold the human rights of IDPs and to remind ourselves that much remains to be done. In this report, the Project presents its work from 2008 and discusses the challenges that lie ahead. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioHumanitarian Perspectives on the International Law Commission's Report "Protection of Persons in the Event of Disasters"

Elizabeth Ferris, April 21, 2009, Roundtable on "Canada and International Law, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

All humanitarian work is, or should be, grounded in international human rights law. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioAn Institutional Gap for Disaster IDPs

Roberta Cohen, April 06, 2009, Forced Migration Review #32

An Institutional Gap for Disaster IDPsClimate change is expected to sharply increase the number and severity of natural disasters, displacing millions on all continents. Roberta Cohen argues that the international community needs to recognize "disaster IDPs" and establish new institutional arrangements to protect their human rights. Read More

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioHuman Rights and Internal Displacement

Walter Kälin, March 12, 2009, United Nations Human Rights Council

Marking the 10th Anniversary of the adoption of the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement has provided an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the Guiding Principles. However, according to Walter Kälin, the dire situation on the ground for the world's over 26 million IDPs indicates that more work needs to be done. Read More

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Foreign Aid Save to My Portfolio Humanitarian Response Index 2009: Clarifying Donor Priorities

November 10, 2009

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TopicEducation

The economic and political well-being of any society requires a well-educated citizenry. Brookings’s work extends beyond the K-12 bookends to include pre-school interventions, higher education and the challenges of education in developing countries.

ExpertRichard Joseph

Richard Joseph is John Evans Professor of International History and Politics at Northwestern University. Former fellow of The Carter Center, Atlanta, he focuses on African governance, political economy, and democratization.

TopicHealth Care

Brookings is committed to producing innovative policy solutions to our nation’s most difficult challenges. The country may face no more important domestic policy challenge than the much-needed reform of our health care system. Through an institution-wide effort, Brookings delivers new ideas and offers policy solutions to improve health care both at home and globally.

Policy CenterCenter on Children and Families

The Center on Children and Families studies policies on the well-being of America's children and their parents and seeks a more effective means of addressing poverty, inequality and lack of opportunity in the United States.

ExpertMark McClellan

Mark McClellan works on promoting high-quality, innovative and affordable health care. Once commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration and administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Dr. McClellan now directs the Engelberg Center for Health Care Reform.

ExpertVanda Felbab-Brown

Vanda Felbab-Brown focuses on the national security implications of illicit economies and strategies for managing them. She is an adjunct professor in the Security Studies Program at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.

ExpertSuzanne Maloney

Suzanne Maloney studies Iran, the political economy of the Persian Gulf and Middle East energy policy. A former U.S. State Department policy advisor, she has also counseled private companies on Middle East issues.

ProgramGovernance Studies

Governance Studies explores political institutions of the United States and other democracies to assess how they govern, how their practices compare and how citizens and public servants can advance sound governance.

Research ProjectLatin America Initiative

The Latin America Initiative provides high-quality, in-depth, and independent research across a range of economic and political issues, and offers policy recommendations aimed at U.S. and Latin American policymakers.

Research ProjectBrookings-Bern Project on Internal Displacement

The Brookings-Bern Project on Internal Displacement monitors displacement problems worldwide, works with governments, regional bodies, international organizations and civil society to create more effective policies and institutional arrangements for Internally Displaed Persons.

ExpertIsabel V. Sawhill

A nationally known budget expert, Isabel Sawhill focuses on domestic poverty and federal fiscal policy. She is also co-director of the Center on Children and Families at Brookings.

ExpertAmy Liu

Amy Liu is deputy director of the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program. Her policy studies include economic competitiveness, metropolitan growth and development, governance reforms, urban reinvestment, and social equity.

Policy CenterEngelberg Center for Health Care Reform

The Engelberg Center for Health Care Reform provides practical solutions to achieve high-quality, innovative, affordable health care with particular emphasis on identifying opportunities on the national, state and local levels.

ExpertDomenico Lombardi

As president of the Oxford Institute for Economic Policy, Domenico Lombardi’s work at Brookings focuses on the international financial crisis and the reform of the IMF and the World Bank. He is an expert on G-20 and G8 Summits.

ExpertTed Gayer

Ted Gayer is the co-director of the Economic Studies program and the Joseph A. Pechman Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution. He conducts research on a variety of economic issues, focusing particularly on public finance, environmental and energy economics, housing, and regulatory policy.

ExpertFederiga Bindi

Federiga Bindi is a leading expert on European political integration. She has a broad experience in government and held a number of posts in international organizations. Bindi currently serves as an advisor to the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs. Her research focuses on the EU, transatlantic relations; EU states foreign policies, global governance issues.