As the humanitarian sector grapples with calls for localisation and decolonisation —now further complicated by the recent USAID funding freeze—how do we ensure innovations in community engagement genuinely shift power to crisis-affected populations?

This Humanitarian Networks and Partnerships Week (HNPW) 2025 panel explores how different engagement methodologies - from radio to digital platforms - can either reinforce or transform existing power structures in humanitarian response. The discussion will critically examine what "innovation" truly means when communities are placed at the centre of humanitarian action, and how we can move beyond tokenistic participation to meaningful community leadership.

Chair: Ila Schoop Rutten, CDAC Network

Panel:

Sophie Tholstrup, Director of Policy & Climate, Ground Truth Solutions

Alex Ross, Loop Lead, Talk to Loop

Ellie Kemp, Strategic Partnerships Director,, CLEAR Global

Noor Lekkerkerker, CEO, Upinion

Quito Tsui, Collaborator, MERL Tech

To find out more about CDAC's other events at HNPW, visit our website.