Strengthening Protection of Civilians through Advocacy, Humanitarian Diplomacy, and Local Leadership, Wednesday, 21 May 2025

The Global Humanitarian Overview 2025 estimates that 305 million people worldwide need urgent humanitarian assistance and protection, with 190 million facing life-threatening needs. Armed conflicts continue to inflict devastating impacts on civilians globally, marked by indiscriminate violence, attacks on civilian infrastructure, forced displacement, and systemic violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL).

In an era where humanitarianism has increasingly become politicized, the power of advocacy – as a consistent reminder of international commitments and legal obligations – becomes ever more critical. In that sense, humanitarian advocacy is not just a tool for action; it is an assertion of moral leadership when the means for material assistance fall short. Effective and long-lasting protection of civilians demands not only immediate humanitarian relief, and temporary safeguards but also a comprehensive, long-term approach that integrates robust advocacy, accountability, and local leadership. This includes demanding compliance with IHL, accountability for violations by perpetrators, and instituting mechanisms that not only address root causes but also deter future violence. What’s more, the current situation compels us to think beyond IHL – not to replace it, but to complement it – grounded in the realities on the ground. This calls for an advocacy approach that goes beyond purely legal frameworks: one that prioritizes human rights and amplifies the voices of affected populations. That centres local agency and is community-led where possible with international actors seeking to leverage complementary actions that enabled amplified impacts.

This event will thus discuss the intersection of civilian protection strategies with advocacy efforts aimed at promoting adherence to international norms and strengthening accountability frameworks. Recognising the increasing operational constraints faced in conflict-affected contexts, the session will not only underscore the critical role of advocacy, but also who leads it. By showcasing local protection actors and their approaches to advocacy across different scales – from grassroots to international platforms – the panel will illustrate how practitioners themselves define and drive effective humanitarian diplomacy: advocacy that not only centers needs on the ground but also influences political behavior and catalyzes real change. It will show that without accountability and effective deterrence mechanisms, sustainable protection outcomes remain elusive. Ultimately, this discussion will further build needed commitments and action for the vital role that local leadership plays in strengthening the protection of civilians and securing long-term peace and security for vulnerable populations.

Objectives:

1. Amplify the voices of affected communities. Promote advocacy approaches that center the voices, agency, and leadership of local communities, especially in contexts where civic space is under threat or shrinking.

2. Advance accountability and deterrence mechanisms. Examine how robust accountability frameworks and legal deterrence are essential for preventing violations and achieving sustainable protection outcomes for affected populations.

3. Amplify the voices of affected communities. Promote advocacy approaches that centre the voices, agency, and leadership of local communities, especially in contexts where civic space is under threat or shrinking, while identifying the complementary roles those different actors, including Member States, must play in supporting and scaling such efforts.

4. Showcase integrated protection strategies. Share field-based experiences and good practices from conflict-affected regions that illustrate how advocacy, local leadership, and humanitarian diplomacy can work together to strengthen civilian protection.

This event is guided by the following questions:

1. How can humanitarian actors leverage advocacy and diplomacy more effectively to support compliance with International Humanitarian Law and protect civilians in increasingly politicized conflict environments?

2. What concrete steps can be taken to strengthen accountability and deterrence mechanisms for violations of IHL, especially in contexts where political will is lacking or impunity is widespread? What are the limits, risks and challenges for humanitarian actors in such efforts and how can these be managed?

3. In what ways can we better amplify and support local leadership and community-led protection advocacy and accountability initiatives, particularly when international actors are constrained or when civic space is shrinking?

4. What practical examples from the field demonstrate the successful integration of humanitarian diplomacy, advocacy, and local leadership in improving protection outcomes for civilians?

5. What commitments or actions should international donors, UN agencies, and humanitarian organizations make to support, complement and amplify locally led protection advocacy and accountability efforts, supporting needed impacts and risk sharing?

.Panel Discussion Agenda.

Wednesday, 21 May 2025 | 4:45 PM – 6:15 PM Venue: TBD | Format: Hybrid

Moderator: Representative of OHCHR NY (TBC) or Felicity Gray, Global Head of Advocacy and Policy, Nonviolent Peaceforce

4:45 – 4:50 PM | Opening Remarks
Ambassador of France, or Italy or Dominican Republic (TBC)
Welcome and scene-setting on the urgency of civilian protection amid global humanitarian crises.

4:50 – 5:00 PM | Setting the Context: Humanitarian Challenges & the Role of Advocacy
Moderator introduces the topic and outlines how advocacy, diplomacy, and local leadership intersect to improve protection outcomes.

Panel Interventions

5:00 – 5:10 PM | Advocacy and Diplomacy in Politicized Conflict Zones
→ Speaker 1 (Niemat Ahmadi, Darfour Women Action Group.)
Experience-based insights, challenges, and recommendations for navigating humanitarian diplomacy in complex settings.

5:10 – 5:20 PM | Supporting Local Leadership and Community-Led Protection
→ Speaker 2 (DRC Protection Cluster Coordinator)
Case studies and strategies to amplify community-led efforts.

5:20 – 5:30 PM | Field-Based Examples of Integrated Strategies
→ Speaker 3 (Kamwela Mwila, UNISFA)
Examples from the field illustrating successful integration of advocacy, diplomacy, and local leadership.

5:30 – 5:40 PM | Donor and Institutional Commitments to Sustainable Protection
→ Speaker 4 (TBC) Forward-looking reflections on how donors and institutions can strengthen locally led initiatives.

5:40 – 6:00 PM | Open Discussion and Keynote Listener Reflections
→ Moderated Q&A with in-person and virtual participants
→ Reflections from high-level representatives of co-sponsoring missions or institutions

6:00 – 6:15 PM | Closing Remarks
Sivanka Dhanapala, UNHCR NY Director
Summary of key messages, takeaways, and next steps for advocacy and coordination.