Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue

The Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue "is an independent and impartial organisation whose motivation is to reduce human suffering in war. We believe preventing and resolving armed conflicts is the surest means of doing so."

"The HD Centre is active in a number of conflict resolution projects around the world, promoting and facilitating dialogue among belligerents. In support of these projects we conduct research and analysis bringing forward practical policy recommendations to improve international efforts to secure and sustain peace." [1]

"In 1999, the Henry Dunant Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue was setup and registered as a Swiss Foundation. The initial intention was to push the boundaries of humanitarian innovation by serving as a venue for a new concept of humanitarian dialogue, where discreet discussions could take place among those who could have a practical impact on humanitarian policy and practice." [2]

"Since 1999, the HD Centre has been involved in peace making activities including mediation in Aceh, Indonesia; Burundi; the Balkans; Colombia; the Democratic Republic of Congo; the Middle East; Myanmar, Nepal; The Philippines; Darfur, Sudan and Uganda, as well as a small number of confidential operational projects." [3]

Chester A. Crocker serves on the Foundation Council of the Geneva-based Henri Dunant Center for Humanitarian Dialogue.

Funding

"The HD Centre’s total income for the financial year 2005 was CHF 9,961,223. This is 18% more than the income of 2004. This income does not include CHF 3,130,471 received for the Geneva Initiative project. These funds were disbursed through the HD Centre directly to the parties and are included in the audited financial statement of FY 2005 (available on request)." [4]

"The Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue is financially supported by a number of donors, including Governments, private foundations and other humanitarian organisations." Donors have include the Governments of the following countries:

• Australia
• Belgium
• Canada
• Denmark
• France
• Italy
• Japan
• The Netherlands
• Norway
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• The United Kingdom
• The United States of America
• as well as the European Commission and the City of Geneva.

Private institutions, individuals and other organisations have also provided funding, including:

• The International Committee of the Red Cross
• The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
• The Swiss Red Cross
• The Graduate Institute of International Studies
• The Geneva International Academic Network
• Volkart Foundation
• Wilsdorf Foundation

"One or more donors have also provided confidential funding." [5]

Other funders include:

• Rockefeller Foundation
• USAID

People

• Martin Griffiths - Director
• C. Andrew Marshall - Deputy Director
• Murari Aryal - Administrative Director
• David Petrasek - Policy Director
• Andrew Andrea - Head of Communications
• Flore Brannon - Communications Officer
• Cate Buchanan - Project Manager, Human Security and Small Arms
• Susanne Gentz - Policy Project Officer
• David Gorman - Mediation Advisor
• Léon de Riedmatten - Country Representative in Myanmar
• Suzy Herzfeld - Human Resources and Administration Manager
• Hemant Katoch - Project Officer
• Deborah Mancini - Project Officer
• Katia Papagianni – Policy Project Manager
• Antonia Potter - Policy Project Manager
• Yodit Lemma - Project Assistant
• Juita Puthucheary - Project Manager, Myanmar
• Dr. Hugo Slim - Chief Scholar
• Kristina Thorne - Policy Project Manager
• Michael Vatikiotis - Southeast Asia Regional Representative
• Aurélie Villar - Logistics Assistant
• Judyta Wasowska - Personal Assistant to the Director
• Mireille Widmer - Project Officer, Human Security and Small Arms
• Céline Yvon - Project Manager, the Geneva Initiative

Source

Board Members 2006

• Michael Aaronson - Chairman of the Board of the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue since 2001. Director General, Save the Children UK, 1995-2005; Overseas Director, Save the Children UK, 1988-1995; HM Diplomatic Service, 1972-1988; Visiting Fellow, Nuffield College, Oxford, since 2004; Governor, Westminster Foundation for Democracy, since 2001; President, EC/NGO Liaison Committee, 1996-1998.
• Ernst A. Brugger - Board Member of the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue; President, Brugger und Partner Ltd (BHP); Member of the Executive Committee of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC); Professor, University of Zurich
• Narcisa Escaler
• Thierry Lombard - Board Member and Audit & Finance Committee Member of the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue; Senior Partner, Lombard Odier Darier Hentsch & Cie; Former Chairman, Geneva Financial Centre Foundation; Chairman and member of several humanitarian, charitable and business boards and foundations
• Karin Jestin – Board Member of the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue; Director, Foundation Strategy Group; former Senior Adviser, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
• Ambassador Jenö Staehelin – Board Member of the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue; Member of the Board of the Graduate Institute of International Studies, Geneva; former Swiss Ambassador to the United Nations in New York.
• Gerald Walzer – Board Member of the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, Audit and Finance Committee; Former Deputy High Commissioner, United Nations High Commission for Refugees.

Source

Related SourceWatch articles

• Rama Mani, former Senior Strategy Advisor
• Jonathan Powell

Contact details

Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue
114 rue de lausanne
Geneva 1202, Switzerland
Tel: +41 (0)22 908 11 30
Fax: +41 (0)22 908 11 40
Email: info AT hdcentre.org
Web: http://www.hdcentre.org