Global Symposium +5: Information for Humanitarian Action

New York/Geneva, 11 October 2007: Humanitarian and information specialists from around the world will meet this month (22 - 26 October) for the Global Symposium +5 'Information for Humanitarian Action' at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

Hosted by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the event will bring together more than 250 humanitarian professionals to look at ways to improve current humanitarian operations through new technology and improved information practices.

It will also review progress made since the first Symposium on Best Practices in Humanitarian Information Management and Exchange five years ago.

Governments, UN, non-governmental organizations, scientists, academics, the media and the private sector will look at a diverse range of subjects all aimed at improving humanitarian response during emergencies through better information.

Topics up for discussion include how information can meet the challenge of today's humanitarian environment; the impact of citizen journalism and new media in humanitarian reporting and advocacy; and how to improve communications to people in need during an emergency.

Senior UN figures such as Dr. David Nabarro, UN System Senior Coordinator for Avian and Human Influenza, and the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinators in Iraq and Afghanistan will speak, in addition to panellists from Al Jazeera, Global Voices and Amnesty International, among others.

Keynote Speakers will be John Holmes, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, acclaimed knowledge management expert Larry Prusak, and a surprise guest.

The Symposium will also be an opportunity to showcase the latest innovative tools and new technologies currently being used in humanitarian operations such as REDHUM, YouTube, Flickr, Second Life, satellite imagery and blogging.

Journalists accredited to the United Nations are welcome to attend the Symposium. Further information (including the Symposium programme and agenda) is available at www.reliefweb.int/symposium

For more information, contact the Symposium organizers Kirsten Mildren, +41 798159707 or Nicole Rencoret + 41 787794280