NEW STEPS FOR HFI

This week, HF Indonesia board held a meeting with members of The Humanitarian Forum head office in London, to determine strategic steps to be taken forward by HFI. Agreement was reached that several follow-up meetings will discuss the strengthening of the network by extending membership of HFI, and create several strategic programs in terms of advocacy and issues of the MDGs.

James Shaw Hamilton, Director of The Humanitarian Forum,explained the possibilities to further expand the network not only in Indonesia but also in the world. He urged for more opportunities for all members of the Humanitarian Forum in Yemen, Sudan, Kuwait and elsewhere, to come together and enable the expansion of The Humanitarian Forum.

Sahira Maarouf, The Humanitarian Forum Program Manager, described some developments of Humanitarian Forum in Yemen and in the Sudan and their accomplishments in building the network. Like James, she also highlighted some possibilities for expanding the network of Humanitarian Forum in the world.

Some sticking issues in the meeting was the issue of the Millenium Development Goalss and public advocacy. The board agreed to step up action in response to some important issues. According to them, some of the problems for the MDGs in developing countries are still not resolved. Our goal is to take strategic steps to urge governments to create policies that support the resolution of problems such as poverty, unemployment reduction, and improving quality of life and life expectancy.

We're thinking ahead for the rest of the year. We'll follow up with a meeting in April, and we're also working on action plans between then and now. In October we'll evaluate all the work of HFI since it was established.