20 MAY. 2024 · Host Jamie McGoldrick speaks with Robert Mardini who has a long, distinguished career in the humanitarian sector. He was part of the International Committee of the Red Cross, the ICRC, for close to three decades. He rose to the position of Director General in 2020. Mardini served in that position until March of this year. His next role begins in September when he will serve as Director General of the University Hospital of Geneva, Switzerland’s largest university hospital. Jamie asks Robert about the challenges humanitarians face with the current crises in Gaza and Sudan. He also asks him about the complex nature of the ICRC and how the different functions of the Red Cross work together. Other topics include the UN being paralyzed by competing interests of members, the role media plays in shaping crises, and how the humanitarian system can function more effectively. 

6 MAY. 2024 · Host Jamie McGoldrick speaks with Larry Hollingworth. Jamie served as the Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory on an interim basis from January through early April. Larry is a visiting professor for the IIHA with an extensive resume. He spent decades with the UN after a career with the British Army, serving as a Coordinator in several places including Iraq, Lebanon, and Palestine. His book is titled Aid Memoir. In this bonus conversation, the two discuss the humanitarian sector as a whole. Larry asks Jamie what qualities make someone an exceptional leader in a crisis situation. They also talk about if humanitarians are staying too long in certain areas, and if the long term presence in some regions is doing more harm than good. Jamie gives a sober assessment of the aid world, saying resources are stretched thin and it will be challenging for the sector to continue dealing with the growing number of crises.

22 ABR. 2024 · Host Jamie McGoldrick speaks with Larry Hollingworth. Jamie served as the Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory on an interim basis from January through early April. Larry is a visiting professor for the IIHA with an extensive resume. He spent decades with the UN after a career with the British Army, serving as a Coordinator in several places including Iraq, Lebanon, and Palestine. His book is titled Aid Memoir. The two discuss the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Jamie shares his experience with coordinating aid to the area and the challenges humanitarians are facing as they respond to the crisis. Larry and Jamie also talk about a possible invasion of Rafah, communication between humanitarians and Israeli officials, and mental health needs that will persist for years even after the crisis ends.

11 MAR. 2024 · Jamie McGoldrick speaks with Dr. Francis Deng. He has served in the United Nations as South Sudan's first independent ambassador and spent time as Special Adviser for the Prevention of Genocide. He’s also served as Ambassador of Sudan to Nordic Countries, Canada, and the United States and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. Francis has written and edited dozens of books, including “War of Visions: Conflict of Identities in the Sudan.” Jamie and Dr. Deng discuss conflict and crises in Sudan and South Sudan. Dr. Deng explains issues in South Sudan and offers what he believes are solutions to improve the lives of people in the country. Jamie asks him about the civil war in Sudan. Dr. Deng says there are flaws in how the international community approaches the conflict in the country, and he argues for a more nuanced approach to finding a resolution. Dr. Deng also offers criticism of UN peacekeepers and the role they’ve played in the region.

19 FEB. 2024 · The second part of Jamie McGoldrick's conversation with Dr. Arif Husain, Chief Economist & Director of Research, Assessments & Monitoring Division at United Nations World Food at WFP. The conversation was recorded in late 2023. Jamie asks Dr. Husain how the WFP responds during conflicts, including the current one in Gaza. Jamie also asks about funding cuts which are forcing the organization to make difficult decisions on where to allocate resources. Jamie and Dr. Husain discuss the growing number of people facing hunger and famine, and how the humanitarian world can better respond. Dr. Husain emphasizes that governments and the private sector need to step up in the battle against food insecurity.

5 FEB. 2024 · Host Jamie McGoldrick speaks with Dr. Arif Husain, Chief Economist & Director of Research, Assessments & Monitoring Division at United Nations World Food at WFP. The conversation was recorded in late 2023. Jamie asks Dr. Husain how the WFP responds during conflicts, including the current one in Gaza. Jamie also asks about funding cuts which are forcing the organization to make difficult decisions on where to allocate resources. Jamie and Dr. Husain discuss the growing number of people facing hunger and famine, and how the humanitarian world can better respond. Dr. Husain emphasizes that governments and the private sector need to step up in the battle against food insecurity.

22 ENE. 2024 · Jamie McGoldrick speaks with Andrew Harper, Special Advisor to the High Commissioner for Refugees on Climate Action at the United Nations. The conversation was recorded late in 2023. A big part of Andrew’s job is anticipating where climate shocks will happen so the UN has a plan in place ahead of time. He tells Jamie that climate events require a complex response, explaining that people can be displaced, shelter destroyed, and supply lines disrupted. Jamie asks Andrew about the term “climate refugees.” The UNHCR doesn’t use that phrasing, instead opting to go with different language when people are displaced from a climate event. Andrew emphasizes that the private sector needs to step up when it comes to dealing with climate change. He says there’s currently not enough funding to deal with climate preparedness.

1 ENE. 2024 · Host Jamie McGoldrick speaks with Yuval Shany. He’s a lecturer in Public International Law at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and a Senior Fellow at the Israel Democracy Institute. He has published an essay titled “Unpacking Key Assumptions Underlying Legal Analyses of the 2023 Hamas-Israel War.” Jamie and Yuval spoke in early December about the conflict, with Yuval giving legal interpretations for Israel’s actions since Hamas’ attack on October 7th. He acknowledges that some of the actions Israel has taken are questionable under international law, but he says in any violent conflict, there are actions which are not fully compatible with the law. Yuval says Israel does accept the laws of war and has made efforts to limit the loss of civilian lives, including giving advance notice of attacks so civilians could leave certain areas. Jamie asks Yuval what his response is to those who say Israel is blatantly violating international and humanitarian law. The two also discuss the UN’s reputation in Israel, the possibility for more humanitarian ceasefires, and what the future could look like for Gaza.

18 DIC. 2023 · Host Jamie McGoldrick speaks with Tania Hary, Executive Director at Gisha - Legal Center for Freedom of Movement, an Israeli not-for-profit organization which advocates for the freedom of movement of Palestinians. The conversation was recorded recently about the situation in Gaza. Tania says there’s a “deep trauma” in Israel about the attack on October 7th. She explains that views have hardened, which makes it difficult to find a solution to the crisis in Gaza. Jamie asks Tania questions on international and humanitarian law and how they relate to attacks Israel is carrying out in Gaza. They discuss the humanitarian needs for civilians, not just during the conflict, but after the conflict has ended as well.

4 DIC. 2023 · Host Jamie McGoldrick speaks with Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees. They start by discussing the situation in Gaza, with Jamie asking what is needed to help resolve the crisis there. The conversation touches on international and humanitarian law and the importance of upholding those principles. Jamie asks Grandi if he’s worried about humanitarians losing their relevance as more crises and conflicts appear around the world. The two talk about migration and refugees and what improvements can be made on those issues. Fillipo also brings up COP 28, which is currently underway, and the Global Refugee Forum which takes place December 13th to 15th.