Future-proofing Humanitarianism: Actioning Policy and Strengthening Governance

Event theme

Policy, governance, and humanitarian systems.

Event partner agency

The Global Platform of Action on Sustainable Energy in Displacement Settings (GPA).

Event moderator and host

Hajar Al-Kaddo and Dr Sarah Rosenberg-Jansen.

Dr Sarah Rosenberg-Jansen, University of Oxford and Research Lead for the Global Platform for Action for Sustainable Energy Solutions in Situations of Displacement (GPA). Sarah is an expert adviser on humanitarian energy, with experience leading sustainable energy work with displaced communities in several countries including Rwanda, Kenya, Burkina Faso, Jordan, India, Bangladesh, and Nepal. Sarah leads the research and evidence work of the GPA and is a published academic as well as senior practitioner. She co-chairs the GPA Research and Evidence Group and provides strategic advice to the UN on inclusive energy programming, support to academics and students wishing to work on humanitarian energy and leads intellectual work on definitions within the energy for forced displacement sector. Sarah has worked across a range of renewable energy and regulatory technical issues for the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the University of Oxford, Imperial College London, the Climate Policy Initiative, and the University of Cambridge.

Katrina Pielli is a leader with 20 years’ experience engaging at all levels across the U.S., Africa, and the Middle East to shape energy policy, drive forward national programs, and build meaningful partnerships between public and private sector organizations. Currently, Katrina provides expert services to advance energy and climate initiatives through working with government leaders, philanthropy, humanitarian agencies, and private sector companies to achieve their goals. This work includes advancing market-based energy programs and partnerships at the World Food Programme, developing a training for humanitarian agency practitioners that drives market-based programs with UNITAR, and leading strategy development for multiple associations and philanthropy.

Luc Severi is a Programme Manager at Sustainable Energy for All, focusing on the energy access gap in the last mile, in particular for the health sector and the humanitarian sector. Luc holds a Master’s in Commercial Engineering from KULeuven and an MSc Development Management from the London School of Economics. Prior to starting his current position, Luc worked in Mozambique, Senegal, and Liberia, for several international NGOs and social enterprises, including SolarNow and Save the Children International, as well as for the UN Foundation. Throughout his career, Luc has been an active participant in the green & circular economy, working primarily with renewable energy solutions for off-grid and rural households, schools, and health centres.