| In the News See NPR and Guardian coverage of Antonio Guterres’ remarks at Forum. (Photo credit: Mustafa Öztürk) |
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1,000 Words See the photos that won InterAction’s 2013 photography award. |
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Forum 2014 Save the date for next year’s gathering: June 11-13. Join us in celebrating our 30th anniversary. |

2013 Forum Agenda
Full event program as of 4/15/2013
SUNDAY, APRIL 28
6:00-8:00pm – Happy Hour for Humanity Networking & Live Art Event
InterAction, Collaborate to Impact & the Society for International Development’s Young Professionals Working Group present a HAPPY HOUR FOR HUMANITY. This event will feature live performances by muralist Aniekan Udofia and seven-time WAMMIE Award nominated Afro-pop band Elikeh. The event will also include a cash bar & light hor d’oeuvres. Registration for the InterAction Forum will also be available during the event! (On-site registration will be open during the event as well as check-in for pre-registered attendees) Click the link above for more details.
MONDAY, APRIL 29
8:00-10:00am - Registration, Breakfast & Networking
10:00-12:00pm - Opening Plenary: Facing Vulnerability in a Changing World (Salon IV, V, VI)
The role of non-state actors, including U.S. NGOs, is changing the nature of development, humanitarian and refugee efforts around the world. Hear from António Guterres, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, on how he plans to respond to an increasingly complicated and challenging global context. This will be followed by a panel discussing the problems of marginalized populations in the world's most troubled areas and how to ensure their participation in development.
Keynote:
António Guterres, UN High Commissioner for Refugees
Moderator:
Sam Worthington, President & CEO, InterAction
Panelists:
George Rupp, President & CEO, International Rescue Committee (IRC)
Nancy Lindborg, Assistant Administrator, USAID Bureau for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance (DCHA)
Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, General Secretary, World YWCA
12:15-1:45pm - Networking Lunch (Salon IV, V, VI)
The networking lunches will offer the opportunity to discuss topical issues concerning the NGO community and to share ideas and make new connections. The Exhibit Hall will be open during this time. Dessert and coffee will be served in the Exhibit Hall.
12:15-1:30pm - CEO Networking Lunch (InterAction Member CEOs Only) (Salon H)
InterAction member CEOs rarely have the time to network with each other, find new partners or develop a new stream of relevant contacts. Whether you are new or have been a part of this community for years, spend quality time with your colleagues from InterAction's broad spectrum of members.
1:45-3:15pm - Workshops
This year, alongside the traditional workshops, we also have tracks designed for attendees with specific areas of focus (such as advocacy, communications, or private sector engagement) Visit our workshops page for a complete list of available workshop tracks.
- Policy Advocacy Evaluation in Practice: Comparative review of nine advocacy organizations (Salon A)
- Serious Fun: Promoting Disaster Risk Reduction Through Participatory Games (Salon B)
- Survive, Strive and Thrive: The USG's Action Plan for Children in Adversity: Civil Society's Role, Response, and Responsibilities (Salon C)
- Universal Design for Learning: Communication across Environments (Salons D&E)
- Inclusive Peace Making: Breaking down barriers so peace workers can engage all parties in dialogue and conflict transformation (Salons F&G)
- The Obama Administration’s Foreign Assistance Legacy (InterAction Member CEOs Only) (Salon H)
- What’s Next? Global Health, the MDGs and 2015 (Salon J)
- Creating Pathways for the Most Excluded and Vulnerable (Salon K)
- The Impact of Market Forces on Corporate and NGO Partnerships (Lee)
3:30-5:00pm - Plenary Session: Setting the World’s Goals: Beyond 2015 (Salon IV, V, VI)
As private development actors, NGOs are significant supporters of achieving the current MDGs as well as deeply engaged in contributing to a post-2015 framework and in ensuring full engagement by the U.S. government in the process. The UN Secretary General’s High-Level Panel of Eminent Persons on the Post-2015 Development Agenda is due to release its report in May. Join us for a timely discussion with key political and thought leaders
Moderator:
Lindsay Coates, Executive Vice President, InterAction
Panelists:
Carolyn Miles, President & CEO, Save the Children
Donald Steinberg, Deputy Administrator, USAID
Jean Michel Severino, Chief Executive Officer, Investisseurs & Partenaires; member, UN High-level Panel on the Post-2015 Development Agenda
Lysa John, Head of Outreach, UN HLP on the Post-2015 Development Agenda
4:30 -7:30pm - Exhibit Hours, Happy Hour, Scavenger Hunt & Networking (Salon I, II, III)
Our exhibitors and sponsors are valued partners in our work, providing expertise and important services. Be sure to visit the exhibit booths to find out about the newest technologies and ground-breaking initiatives. Come and engage with our exhibitors and sponsors during the happy hour reception. Join us for a fun, engaging and entertaining scavenger hunt in the exhibit halls. Collect all objects and win a prize! Note: Exhibit Hall will open at 4:30 p.m., but events will begin at 5:00 pm.
TUESDAY, APRIL 30
* On the second day of Forum 2013, the conferencew will feature a special set of events targeted at Young Professionals. Please visit the Young Professional's Summit webpage for more information!
8:00-9:30am - Breakfast, Exhibit Hours & Artisan Trade Fair (Salon I, II, III)
Be sure to visit the exhibit booths to find out about the newest technologies and ground-breaking initiatives while enjoying a continental breakfast in the exhibit halls. Engage with our exhibitors and sponsors. Vendors will be selling a variety of arts and crafts made by indigenous artists from around the world during the Artisan Trade Fair.
8:30-10:30am - Humanitarian Community Meeting (Salons D&E)
Note: Breakfast will be provided. InterAction’s humanitarian members will gather with U.N. and U.S. government partners to discuss issues currently facing the community. Formerly the HPP Business meeting.
9:00-10:30am - Workshops
This year alongside the traditional workshops, we also have tracks specially designed for attendees with specific areas of focus (such as advocacy, communications, or private sector engagement). Visit our workshops page for a complete list of available workshop tracks.
- Video Storytelling for Social Change (Salon A)
- Congress and the Post 2015 Millennium Development Goals (Salon B)
- Sustaining Support for International Development and Humanitarian Assistance in a Divided Congress (Salon C)
- Harnessing the Power of E-Learning: What is on the Horizon (Salons F&G)
- Facing the Future: Understanding Your Organization’s Leadership Needs (InterAction Member CEOs Only) (Salon H)
- Young Professionals Summit Opening Session: Engaging Innovation, Opportunity, & Crazy Ideas (Salon J)
- Will U.S. NGOs (and Contractors) Join the Open Data Movement? (Salon K)
- Gifts-in-Kind: What's Effective and What's Next? (Jackson)
- Development Jeopardy: WASHing for the Future of Development (Lee)
10:45-12:15pm - Plenary Session: Innovation Drivers in Relief and Development (Salon IV, V, VI)
A UPS-InterAction CEO Roundtable Event
Innovation has become a buzz word in many sectors, including development, and the word is most often used interchangeably with technology. But, innovation is also evident in new ways that individuals, groups and even bureaucracies work - or do not work - together. This session will explore how NGOs, corporations, and other partners are and can continue to be drivers of innovation.
Moderator:
Kathy Spahn, President and CEO, Helen Keller
International
Panelists:
Lisa Nitze, Managing Director, Mission Measurement
Governor Scott McCallum, President & CEO, AidMatrix
Dr. Mirza Jahani, CEO, Aga Khan Foundation U.S.A.
Daniel J. Brutto, President, UPS International
Gregory Wangerin, Pres and CEO, US FOR UNHCR
12:15-1:45pm - Networking Lunch (Salon IV, V, VI)
The networking lunches will offer the opportunity to discuss topical issues concerning the NGO community, to share ideas with colleagues and to make new connections. The Exhibit Hall will be open during this time and will feature dessert and coffee.
12:15-1:30pm - CEO Networking Lunch (InterAction Member CEOs Only) (Salon K)
This networking lunch will be loosely structured around topics of interest to InterAction member CEOs, and will allow CEOs to connect with and learn from colleagues from across the wide spectrum of InterAction members.
12:15-1:30pm - Young Professionals Networking Lunch (Salon J)
Participants in the Young Professionals Summit are invited to join CEOs from leading NGOs for a special networking luncheon.
1:45-3:15pm - Workshops
This year alongside the traditional workshops, we also have tracks designed for attendees with specific areas of focus (such as advocacy, communications, or private sector engagement). Visit our workshops page for a complete list of available workshop tracks.
- Effective Advocacy (Salon A)
- Setting the Agenda: Can NGOs Take the Lead in Global Policy Discussions? (Salon B)
- Feedback Matters: How Communities’ Perceptions Can Improve Program Quality and Effectiveness (Salon C)
- Show & Tell: Using Infographics to Tell Compelling Stories (Salons D&E)
- Toilets, Taps and Trees: Strengthening Community Resilience to Natural Disasters Through Conservation and WASH (Salons F&G)
- A Conversation with the Executive Office (InterAction Member CEOs Only) (Salon H)
- A Seat at the Table: Youth in Decision Making Roles (Salon J)
- Navigating Reproductive Choice: An Interactive Approach to Understanding Barriers to Women’s Reproductive Health (Salon K)
- Participatory Mapping for Community Empowerment (Lee)
3:30-5:00pm - Workshops
This year alongside the traditional workshops, we also have tracks designed for attendees with specific areas of focus (such as advocacy, communications, or private sector engagement). Visit our workshops page for a complete list of available workshop tracks.
- The New Deal a Year Later: Peacebuilding and Development in Fragile and Conflict Affected States (Salon B)
- Solving the Health Workforce Crisis: A Global Advocacy Strategy (Salon C)
- Humanitarian Standards: How Can and Should They Add Value (Salons D&E)
- The Future of Feed the Future (Salons F&G)
- Annual Members Meeting (InterAction Member CEOs Only- quorum required) (Salon H)
- Young Professionals Summit Capstone Session (Salon J)
- How to Own It: Communicating Failure Honestly while Managing Risks (Salon K)
- Influencing the 2013 G8 and G20 Summits (Jackson)
- Convergence, Intersections, and Alliances (Lee)
4:30-7:00pm - Exhibit Hours & Artisan Trade Fair (Salon I, II, III)
Be sure to visit the exhibit booths to find out about the newest technologies and ground-breaking initiatives. Engage with our exhibitors and sponsors. Vendors will be selling a variety of arts and crafts made by indigenous artists from around the world during the Artisan Trade Fair.
5:45-6:45pm - Gala Reception (Salon I, II, III)
7:00-9:00pm - Gala Dinner & Awards Banquet (Salon IV, V, VI)
Join us in celebrating years of dedication to saving lives and improving the human condition. The evening will honor the legacy of aid workers who lost their lives in service and acknowledge the achievement of individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to the humanitarian and development community. The Gala will feature entertainment by Voices of Africa, a choral and percussion ensemble.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1
8:00-9:30am - Breakfast, Exhibit Hours & Artisan Trade Fair (Salon I, II, III)
Be sure to visit the exhibit booths to find out about the newest technologies and ground-breaking initiatives while enjoying a continental breakfast in the exhibit halls. Engage with our exhibitors and sponsors. Vendors will be selling a variety of arts and crafts made by indigenous artists from around the world during the Artisan Trade Fair.
9:00-10:15am - Workshop
9:00-10:30am - Workshops
This year alongside the traditional workshops, we also have tracks specially designed for attendees with specific areas of focus (such as advocacy, communications, or private sector engagement). Visit our workshops page for a complete list of available workshop tracks.
-
Nutrition and 1000 Days Window: Opportunities, Challenges, and the Next 1000 Days (Salon B)
-
Leveling the Playing Field: Corporate-Community Engagement in the Extractive Industries (Salon C)
-
Grassroots Campaigning: Best Practices for Influencing Congress (Salons D&E)
- Youth, Employment and Stability: Evidence of When and Why Youth Employment Programs Reduce Youth Participation in Violence (Salons F&G)
- Citizen Feedback: Social Accountability Mechanisms that Produce Development Results (Salon J)
- A Match Made in Heaven? Bringing Together Academics and Practitioners for Greater Impact (Salon K)
- NGO Accountability and Effectiveness through Standards Development and Compliance (Lee)
10:30-12:00pm - Workshop
10:45-12:15pm - Workshops
This year alongside the traditional workshops, we also have tracks specially designed for attendees with specific areas of focus (such as advocacy, communications, or private sector engagement). Visit our workshops page for a complete list of available workshop tracks.
- Improving U.S. Government Evaluation: A Conversation with the Millennium Challenge Corporation, USAID and State Department (Salon A)
- Sheltering Affected Populations: "It's a Home, Stupid" (Salon B)
- Promoting a Healthy Supply Chain (Salon C)
- Putting National Actors at the Core of Humanitarian Response (Salons D&E)
- Mainstreaming Youth Programming Considerations Across Key Sectors (Agriculture/Food Security, Environment/Climate Change and Media/Social Media) (Salons F&G)
- NGO Leadership Transition and Succession: Lessons Learned from Experience (Salon J)
- Fit for Partnering: Re-engineering to Partner at Scale (Salon K)
- What You Don’t Fund Can Hurt You (Lee)
12:00 – 1:30pm - CEO Workshop Lunch, The Open Data and Transparency Revolution (InterAction Member CEOs Only) (Salon H)
12:15-1:45pm - Networking Lunch (Salon IV, V, VI)
The networking lunches will offer an opportunity for discussion around topical issues concerning the NGO community and an opportunity to share ideas and make new connections. The Exhibit Hall will be open during this time and will feature dessert and coffee.
1:45-2:15pm - A Conversation with the World Bank President, Dr. Jim Yong Kim (Salon IV, V, VI)
2:15-3:15pm - Closing Plenary: Global Development and U.S. Foreign Policy (Salon IV, V, VI)
In recent years, the relationship between NGOs and the U.S. government has become more important than ever, with budget tightening and isolationism becoming far more prevalent in the halls of Congress than we have seen in many decades. In these uncertain times, it is more vital than ever that NGOs maintain and strengthen relationships with those who make the critical budgetary and policy decisions that affect our community. In this session, we will hear from leaders in the U.S. government who will share their views on the current state of play in Washington related to sequestration, foreign aid reform and poverty-focused development assistance as a whole.
Moderator:
Cokie Roberts, Senior News Analyst, National Public Radio
Panelists:
Congressman Gerald E. Connolly (D-VA)
Carol Lancaster, Dean, Georgetown School of Foreign Service



