2025 HLC: Transformative leadership in times of polycrisis
The 2025 Humanitarian Leadership Conference focuses on the very human element of leadership: of who takes risks and how they can make real, positive change. Disrupting the usual discussions and creating space for emerging and insightful analysis, the 2025 Humanitarian Leadership Conference will explore the multiple aspects and impacts of the polycrisis as well as the multi-faceted nature and influence of transformative leadership. It will showcase the increasing reality of diverse leadership and its capacity to navigate and affect positive change in crises around the world.
The 2025 Humanitarian Leadership Conference is hosted by the Centre for Humanitarian Leadership in partnership with the Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies.
A hybrid format for maximum engagement
The 2025 Humanitarian Leadership Conference will be hosted in Doha, Qatar.
From April 8-9, delegates will gather at the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies, home to the Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies, or can stream all the action from our dedicated digital conference platform, Cvent.
Register to attend the 2025 Humanitarian Leadership Conference
Registrations to attend the 2025 Humanitarian Leadership Conference are now open! Register to attend virtually or in-person for the two-day event. There’s a tiered rate structure, with discounts for students, and those delegates from the Global South and/or working for local NGOs.
Visit the Cvent platform to register.
Conference Sponsors
Read the announcement: Humanitarian Leadership Conference secures USD $25k grant to increase places for local leaders
Registration fees
In Person
- Local NGO / Global South / Student Registration: AUD $350.00
- In Person INGO Registration: AUD $500.00
- In Person Global North / Academic / Philanthropic / Gov. Registration: $AUD $650.00
Online
- Local NGO / Global South / Student Registration: AUD $100.00
- INGO Registration: AUD $150.00
- Online Global North / Academic / Philanthropic / Gov. Registration: AUD $250.00
Conference Partners
Submissions closed
Submissions to present at the 2025 HLC are now closed. We will endeavour to respond to all submissions as soon as possible.
General enquiries
For all inquiries about the 2025 HLC, please email events@cfhl.org.au
Keynote Speakers
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Tammam Aloudat
CEO, The New Humanitarian
Dr Aloudat, a Syrian-Swiss physician, is currently the CEO of The New Humanitarian, the leading humanitarian newsroom reporting from the heart of crises. With over two decades of experience at the forefront of international humanitarian organisations, he is a leading advocate for decolonising global health and advancing humanitarianism. He started his humanitarian career as a volunteer for the Syrian Red Crescent, and then with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in Iraq after the invasion in 2003. Over the last 20 years, he has worked in emergencies ranging from conflicts and forced displacement to disasters and disease outbreaks – from Darfur to the Indian Ocean tsunami to the Haiti earthquake. His most recent role was as President of MSF Netherlands and as a member of MSF’s International Board.
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Hibak Kalfan
Executive Director, NEAR
Hibak Kalfan is the Executive Director at NEAR, where she collaborates with local and national actors throughout the Global South to promote equity among humanitarian and development stakeholders, with a focus on supporting local communities. She holds an M.A. in Development Policy and Practice from the University of New Hampshire’s Carsey Institute. Hibak has over 20 years of experience in international development, having worked in the US, Africa, and the Middle East. Her diverse career includes roles in local NGOs, international NGOs, multilateral organisations, and currently, a Global South network. Her expertise spans various sectors, including localisation, humanitarian aid, democracy and governance, media development, advocacy, public relations, strategic development, and coalition building
Keep checking this page for more announcements on keynote speakers as they are added to the Conference line-up.
Program coming soon
The 2025 HLC will focus on the very human element of leadership: of who takes risks and how they can make real, positive change. Over two days, plenary discussions will cover key topics including:
- Humanitarian donorship
- The role of philanthropy in catalysing new systems and innovation
- The role of local leadership in conflict and post-conflict settings
Key discussions will be continued in interactive workshops, plus delegates can view poster displays and network during ample break times.
Virtual delegates will connect via Cvent to listen to keynote and plenary sessions, plus participate in online-only presentations and connect with fellow delegates online.
Travel and accommodation for the 2025 Humanitarian Leadership Conference
Air travel
Qatar Airways is the official air travel partner for the 2025 Humanitarian Leadership Conference. As our preferred partner, Qatar Airways will offer attendees a 10% discount on flights. After completing your registration, you will receive a code to access this exclusive offer.
Travel with one of the world’s leading airlines and join us for critical conversations that will shape the future of the humanitarian sector. We look forward to seeing you there, whether in person or virtually.
Hotels in Doha
Our two preferred hotels in Doha are offering exclusive promotional rates for 2025 Humanitarian Leadership Conference attendees. Both the Retaj Al Rayyan and Andaz Doha are conveniently located just steps away from each other, offering easy access to the conference venue. Once registered, delegates will receive a link to receive discounted rates at the preferred hotels.
Enjoy a comfortable and secure stay while connecting with thought leaders and practitioners who are shaping the future of humanitarian work.
Virtual attendance
We understand that not everyone can travel to Doha this year, which is why we are offering a virtual attendance option for the 2025 Humanitarian Leadership Conference. Whether you’re joining in person or remotely, you will have access to impactful sessions and thought-provoking discussions on the future of the humanitarian sector. Register today to secure your spot!
Conference Partners
Submissions closed
Submissions to present at the 2025 HLC are now closed. We will endeavour to respond to all submissions as soon as possible.
General enquiries
For all inquiries about the 2025 HLC, please email events@cfhl.org.au
Sponsor the 2025 Humanitarian Leadership Conference
CHL and CHS are looking for like-minded organisations to sponsor the 2025 Humanitarian Leadership Conference.
The Humanitarian Leadership Conference is a recognised event for challenging conversations. Every two years, the Centre for Humanitarian Leadership (CHL) leverages its unique position at the intersection of academia and practice to convene humanitarian leaders from across the sector to disrupt the usual discussions and create space for emerging and insightful analysis.
In 2025, CHL is combining forces with the Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies (CHS) to open the discussion and debate to new audiences in the Middle East region and globally.
Established in 2016, the CHS is an independent research center that generates scholarship and engages in policy and practice on conflict mediation, humanitarian action, and post-conflict recovery in the Arab world and beyond.
Sponsors gain visibility and connections with a diverse range of conference speakers and participants, in addition to noticeably demonstrating their solidarity with leaders who are seeking to disrupt the polycrisis with a focus on the human aspects of leadership.
The 2025 Humanitarian Leadership Conference brings together traditional and non-traditional perspectives from the Global South and North to discuss how leaders can move beyond systemic inertia towards affecting real-world change.
Email our team at events@cfhl.org.au to request a copy of the 2025 Sponsorship Prospectus.
