Cordaid

KUNO’s themes address the profound challenges facing today’s humanitarian system. Global dynamics and volatile geopolitics continue to strain an already fragile humanitarian space. Under this pressure, humanitarian actors are called not only to meet immediate needs but also to drive systemic change, tackling entrenched limitations and imbalanced power structures.

The demand for reform grows stronger as actors must navigate increasingly complex crises and violent conflicts. The following interconnected themes provide a basis on which KUNO offers critical discussions, dialogue, and learning across policy, practice, and research. 

Current themes

Global and (geo)political dynamics

Focus on how global, regional and national politics and shifting geopolitical landscapes impact humanitarian action. Includes topics such as increasing authoritarianism, funding shocks, International Humanitarian Law (IHL), and humanitarian access.

Shifting the system

Evolving circumstances and emerging challenges have prompted the humanitarian sector to explore critical changes. This includes topics such as localisation, reform agendas, coordination mechanisms, and accountability. 

Crisis realities

Delving into specific contexts, crisis, and disasters helps humanitarians improve their response. This includes in-depth discussions on operational challenges, best practices, and the complexity of humanitarian action.