Design4Humanity

Exploring the intersection of design and humanitarian action for human dignity

During heightened and prolonged global calamity, humanitarian actors strive to design sustainable relief and recovery operations that restore dignity and foster resilience of affected populations. Similarly, a growing community of designers from diverse disciplines – ranging from the built environment and emergency architecture to product and graphic design – endeavor to contribute their skills for social change and humanitarian action.

The Institute of International Humanitarian Affairs (IIHA) at Fordham University and the UN Migration Agency (IOM) explored the intersection of design and humanitarian action by launching the Design for Humanity Initiative.

By bridging their expertise, humanitarian and design professionals can more effectively design dignified and durable solutions that tackle today’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Whether ensuring more dignified shelters and settlements for displaced persons, designing more inclusive and resilient urban ecosystems, or employing art and design as a vehicle for advocacy – the possible synergies between design and humanitarian action are endless.

Objectives

Through events, research, publications, and collaborative projects, the multi-year Design for Humanity Initiative aims to explore how designers and humanitarians can collaboratively drive humanitarian response in a more dignified, inclusive, and sustainable direction.

Key objectives of the Design for Humanity Initiative will include:

Facilitating dialogue among design and humanitarian practitioners as well as representatives of crisis-affected populations, the donor community, and governments
Deepening understanding about current complex humanitarian challenges; humanitarian principles and ethics; and possibilities for design innovation;
Highlighting potential impact and relevant critiques of a range of piloted and pioneered design projects for humanitarian response;
Forging future collaboration, project implementation, and partnership opportunities; and
Disseminating lessons learned to a wide audience of designers and humanitarians

Design for Humanity Summit

On June 22nd 2018 the Institute of International Humanitarian Affairs and the UN Migration Agency, hosted the first Design for Humanity Summit at Fordham University in New York City. Presenters from design, humanitarian and private sectors explored the intersection of design and humanitarian action for dignified crisis response.

The Design for Humanity Summit was made possible with the support of the Permanent Mission of Ireland to the United Nations, the Center for International Humanitarian Cooperation and Fordham University. Community partners included InterAction, ART WORKS Projects for Human Rights and the American Society of Interior Designers.

About the IOM — UN Migration

Established in 1951, IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration and works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. With 173 member states, a further 8 states holding observer status and offices in over 100 countries, IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants. IOM works to help ensure the orderly and humane management of migration, to promote international cooperation on migration issues, to assist in the search for practical solutions to migration problems and to provide humanitarian assistance to migrants in need, including refugees and internally displaced people