Building Bridges
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We build bridges between religions, cultures and communities. We use the large area of common ground between religions and cultures and the strong heritage of charitable and humanitarian work as a non-political environment on which we can build understanding and cooperation. And because we've worked hard to bring together all these different actors, we've built a completely unique global network of fellowship and knowledge. It means we can support local, national and international organizations in finding the right partnership for their needs and interests.
National Humanitarian Forums are composed of humanitarian and development organisations that represent a cross section of the entire sector, and so bring together people from different religious, political and geographic backgrounds. Our membership strategy actively targets NGOs from different groups to achieve this mix at all levels, be it at board level, within the general assembly, amongst participants for training.
We are supporting national Forums in four partner countries, each of which has very different but equally urgent humanitarian needs. These national groups carry forward the aims and purpose of the international Steering Committee; for example, the Humanitarian Forum Sudan membership includes organisations which are Muslim, Christian and secular, and who are based in the north, south, west and east of the country. It also includes networks and individual organisations.
Our partnerships form the vital basis of all other humanitarian work. They provide a strong sustainable cooperation between communities, strengthening relationships that are currently weak and empowering organizations to reach their humanitarian and development goals. It's more than just a funding relationship: we connect people on a deeper and broader level: The partners value each other, learn from each other and share their resources. A truly humanitarian partnership both needs and creates commitment and trust.
Access resources on Bridge building.
Case Study: Humanitarian Emergencies
Arguably, there's no instance where bridge buidling is more vital than in the aftermath of a humanitarian emergency. In the confusion following an earthquake, an insurgency, or a famine for instance, many humanitarian organisations may answer the call for help, often armed with the best intentions but little local knowledge or understanding. We work to facilitate dialogue between international and national organisations and local communities, between faith-based and secular actors. We've already been able to help improve the humanitarian response in several of the world's most troubled areas.
