The Vulnerable Humanitarian Circle of Practice
Welcome to a space designed for deep listening, sharing, and meaningful action within the aid worker community. I am Gemma Houldey, and I have worked for 20 years in the humanitarian and human rights space. Drawing on my own cutting edge doctoral research on burnout in the aid sector, and the many practices I have learned and integrated in the last few years, I have created the Vulnerable Humanitarian Circle of Practice to support us to build healthier, more compassionate and more inclusive cultures where we can be more courageous and more purposeful without burning out.
The Circle of Practice offers a sanctuary where truth-telling, vulnerability, and connection flourish. Here, we explore themes from my book The Vulnerable Humanitarian and draw on the wisdom of many other practitioners who are reimagining humanitarian and human rights work in ways that rebalance inequities and help us all to thrive.
You do not need to have read The Vulnerable Humanitarian to participate - although, we encourage you to do so in order to help embed some of the topics we will explore in each session.
In each monthly online session, we delve into a different theme from The Vulnerable Humanitarian, or from a guest expert, empowering participants to navigate challenges with clarity and courage. There will be time for intentional dialogue, listening and sharing - as well as time to try out new practices and routines. We are excited to have some brilliant, inspring guest experts in upcoming sessions, including Maha El-Sheikh, Dimple Dhabalia and Mahrukh (Maya) Hasan.
9 April 1-2.30pm UTC: Unravelling Oppressive Systems through Embodied Practice. With guest Maha El-Sheikh, facilitator of caring, relational spaces in humanitarian and human rights work, and Co-Director of Courage of Care Coalition.
14 May 1-2.30pm UTC: Topic TBC
11 June 1-2.30pm UTC: Navigating moral injury and moral courage. With guest Dimple Dhabalia. Further details to follow.
9 July 1-2.30pm UTC: Fearless Action in the Polycrisis: Balancing Care and Courageous Action. With guest Mahrukh Hasan (Maya). Further details to follow.
Further sessions and topics to be announced soon!
HOW TO REGISTER
You're welcome to join any session, but attending regularly offers a comprehensive understanding of the book, key themes and practical tools for implementation, and brings you into a community that is treading the same path of culture change from the inside out.
From March onwards, the monthly session will only run at 1-2.30pm UTC. Please register for each event separately, and according to the topic that you wish to attend. A Zoom link and further information will be sent to you after registration.
Pricing: PAY WHAT YOU CAN AFFORD. This is a donation based event and any contributions will go towards the running costs.