As humanitarian crises multiply and deepen across the globe, the very foundations of humanitarian action are being tested. From protracted conflicts to mass displacement and shrinking access, the ability of international actors to respond effectively and impartially faces growing political, financial, and operational constraints. At the same time, new actors, shifting geopolitics, and evolving expectations are reshaping the humanitarian landscape.

Following the end of his ten-year tenure as United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi joins this conversation at a pivotal moment for the humanitarian system. Drawing on decades of experience at the forefront of global displacement and protection efforts, and in dialogue with a new generation of scholars and practitioners, he will reflect on whether and how humanitarian action can adapt to today’s challenges while upholding its core principles.

Following his keynote lecture, Filippo Grandi will have a conversation with Minhua Ling, Associate Professor of Anthropology and Sociology at the Geneva Graduate Institute, as well as with two students, Suraya Yosufi, recipient of the Maria Rosario Lazzati Niada scholarship, and Jennifer Siaw, President of the African Student Association.

The event will be introduced by Marie-Laure Salles, Director, and Leo Colonnello, Master Student, at the Geneva Graduate Institute.