Singapore Red Cross Humanitarian Conference to be held on Aug 19; features panels, dialogue sessions with experts

Members of the public can participate in various dialogues and panel discussions to find out more about the importance of sustainability in humanitarian operations at the Singapore Red Cross Humanitarian Conference.

Held on Aug 19, the 8th edition of the conference is themed “Thriving Sustainable Humanitarian Action for Climate Resilience”.

The conference aims to encourage discussion and the sharing of ideas to mainstream environmental sustainability in humanitarian operations. 

Featuring speakers from public and private sectors, non-governmental organisations (NGO) and the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, the sharing sessions will focus on promoting climate resilience on a local and global level.

Participants can look forward to learning about sustainable toilet and sanitation solutions at a speech by Jack Sim, the founder of the World Toilet Organisation (WTO). The speech will be held from 9.20am to 9.55am.

Through his work at the WTO, he empowers individuals through education, training, and building local marketplace opportunities to advocate for clean and safe sanitation facilities in their communities.

After which, from 10am to 10.45am, participants can hear from Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu at a dialogue session.

Minister Fu will share her thoughts and perspectives on the role of various actors in driving sustainability in humanitarian operations along with Singapore Red Cross’ secretary-general, Benjamin William.

From 11.15am to 11.45am, Ibnur Rashad, the founder and chief innovation officer at Ground Up Innovation Labs for Development (GUILD), will make a speech on innovative and sustainable solutions.

Following that, from 11.45am to 12.15pm, executive director of sustainability at Marina Bay Sands (MBS) Meridith Beaujean will share more about developing and implementing sustainability programmes and initiatives.

MBS has been making efforts to be one of the world’s most sustainable urban destinations with the Sands ECO360 global sustainability strategy set up in 2010, as well as having aligned their corporate goals with the Singapore Green Plan 2030.

Attendees can also gain insights on climate-related humanitarian challenges at a panel session with the Red Cross Red Crescent (RCRC) national societies from 12.15pm to 1.30pm.

Moderated by Kathryn Clarkson, the International Federation of the Red Cross’s (IFRC) head of country cluster delegation, the panel session will demonstrate how these national societies and the RCRC movement have been implementing efforts to mitigate global warming.

The Singapore Red Cross Humanitarian Conference will take place at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre. Interested participants can sign up for free here.