Humanitarian Networks and Partnerships Weeks

Session title: Advancing Responsible Tech Development in Humanitarian Contexts: How Communities Gain Agency

Organizer(s): CLEAR Global, UKHIH

4 Mar 26 11:00-12:30 UTC+1

SessionAbstract

Digitalization is often framed as inherently supportive of accountability to affected populations (AAP), enabling participation, voice, and redress at scale. But evidence shows that digital technologies can also reproduce or intensify existing power asymmetries between aid providers and crisis-affected communities. To make ethical and inclusive use of digital technology in emergencies, both practitioners and community members need agency and influence based on an understanding of the rights, risks and tradeoffs involved.

This panel discussion will build on collaboration between the UK Humanitarian Innovation Hub and CLEAR Global on community-informed guidance to make participatory technology development a reality in humanitarian settings. In particular, it will consider what crisis-affected communities themselves need in order to hold humanitarians to account in their use of digital technology.

Agenda

Session format:

Opening remarks (10 minutes)

Panel discussion (50 minutes)

Q&A session (20 minutes)

Closing & next steps (10 minutes)

Session objectives:

Share initial findings of ongoing research into what communities need to hold humanitarians to account for their use of digital technology
Hear from CSOs on community experiences of navigating humanitarian tech
Understand the perspectives of diverse community members on rights, risks and room for discussion when tech solutions are used or deployed
Discuss the content and form of tools to empower community members to navigate accountable humanitarian technology use
Contribute to the design of tools to empower community members to set out their own terms in such situations

Speakers

Moderator:

Ellie Kemp - Consultant (research, policy & advocacy) for CLEAR Global

Panelists:

Camille Maubert - Independent researcher

Daniel Odongo - Director of Technology at Ushahidi
Mr Odongo leads the development of civic technology and AI-driven platforms that enable communities to share information, surface local insights, and strengthen accountability. His work focuses on building resilient systems that support public participation and data-informed decision-making. Daniel is a member of the Connected Futures Initiative and the Resilient Governance and Regulation working groups of the AI Governance Alliance at the World Economic Forum.

Philip Paida - Program Assistant at Youth Empowerment and Development Aid (YEDA)
Mr Paida holds a degree in Development Studies and has previously worked with the Inter-Faith Council for Peace Initiatives among other organizations. He has extensive understanding of humanitarian contexts in South Sudan.

Leonora Tima - Founder and Managing Director of Gender Rights in Tech (GRIT)
GRIT builds survivor-centred technology that supports access to justice and safety for people affected by gender-based violence. With over 16 years of experience in gender and child rights work, Ms Tima leads the development of tools designed to meet people in their own language and lived realities, including the GRIT App, the AI-powered chatbot Zuzi, and the AI support tool for navigating legal processes inFORMed.