Co-chair Prof. Karl Blanchet in conversation with The New Humanitarian about the launch of the Commission, comparisons to earlier initiatives, and early thoughts on potential recommendations. The Aid and Policy article authored by Irwin Loy provides a first few impressions on the initiative:
Early inklings: There’s a clear reformist mindset. “There’s something going wrong in our system that we need to rethink,” co-chair Karl Blanchet, director of the Geneva Centre of Humanitarian Studies, told me. “We need to shake the tree a little bit.” An advisory committee includes non-Western donors; UN agencies may be asked for input but aren’t part of the commission. Some broad early inklings: Pooled funds geared for quick financing in a 24-hour window to a select few aid groups that prove their value; a different role for UN agencies; measuring aid effectiveness through impact; viable funding for local aid; a clearer role for the diaspora.