The Academy for Humanitarian Action (aha) opens for participants for Leadership in Humanitarian Action course. This course is designed for future leaders, project managers, and humanitarian organizations to leverage their leadership skills. Participants will learn the basics of value-oriented and reflective leadership in humanitarian context with practical tools and methods based on real-life case studies.  The course will be held in-person on March 19 and April 4 in Bochum, Germany. An overview of the course: Basic foundation about the meaning of leadership and personal approach. Leadership principles application in challenging situations. Individual leadership action plan development for the organization. Key leadership skills (authenticity, inspiration, networking, decisiveness, and resilience). Resilience strategies and self-leadership implementation.  The course will be presented in German.

The Diaspora Summit is a series of hybrid workshops. First a two-day Diaspora Summit (March 17–18), organized online by globally connected and nationwide diaspora organizations.  Then between 16.-18 April an in-person conference and workshop with additional roundtables held with representatives from BMZ, BMI, AA, IntB., KfW, and others.  Why a Diaspora Summit? The engagement of diaspora actors has received increasing attention in recent years, particularly with regard to “remittances.” However, the voluntary commitment of diaspora communities has been active for many years and extends across multiple areas—from strengthening networks in Germany to implementing projects in their countries of origin. This engagement contributes significantly to improving living conditions in the countries of origin and to sustainable development. Programme Program on April 16, 2026Pre-evening networking sessions & icebreakers Program on April 17, 202611:30 – 12:00 | Arrival, networking, and exchange12:00 – 13:00 | Opening session: BMZ in dialogue with the diaspora14:30 – 17:00 | Diaspora in dialogue: Orientation, talk show, and marketplace of opportunities17:00 – 22:00 | Dinner / Music / Get-together Program on April 18, 202610:00 – 11:00 | Check-in and arrival11:00 – 12:30 | Workshops12:30 – 14:00 | Break / Networking14:00 – 14:30 | Summary of the previous day and presentation of workshop results by different groups14:30 – 15:30 | Interactive session: In-depth dialogue and joint development of ideas for the future15:30 – 17:00 | Feedback and closing session17:00 – 18:00 | Diaspora networking Please NOTE that the working language will be GERMAN   Interested to participate? Register Sign-up here if you want to be considered as a participant at the Diaspora Summit 2026 The Diaspora Summit is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).

The humanitarian system is in deep upheaval: once rooted in a common ethical framework, it now faces fragmented political responsibility, politicization, donor withdrawal, shrinking access, and erosion of humanitarian law. As humanitarian actors abandon those they claimed to help, credibility and legitimacy erode—undermining humanity itself and the system’s original purpose.  In light of these pressing challenges, the Humanitarian Congress Berlin 2026 – now set for April and from 2026 onward held every spring – will provide a space to confront these dynamics through critical openness, structural self-reflection, and shared accountability. To advance this effort and expand the congress community, we are delighted to welcome Oxfam Germany and The New Humanitarian as new long-term partners alongside Médecins Sans Frontières, Médecins du Monde, and the German Red Cross.  Under the theme “Humanitarianism(s) in Transition – Between Ideals, Power and Agency”, we will explore how humanitarian action, in its many forms and approaches, can be renewed, reimagined, and strengthened. The Humanitarian Congress Berlin invites experts, practitioners, and critical voices to move beyond routine dialogue and work together on the future of humanitarian action hat truly serves those most impacted. Save the date: 21 – 22 April 2026