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Session Overview: The Sphere-INEE Companionship

Integrating Quality Education within Emergency Response for Humanitarian Accountability: The Sphere-INEE Companionship

Global Consultation 2009, Istanbul

Tuesday 31 March 16:45-18:30, Concurrent Learning Session Block 2

This learning session will explore the basis and implications of the ‘Companionship Agreement’ signed in October 2008, to promote the use of the INEE Minimum Standards for Education in Emergencies, Chronic Crises and Early Reconstruction (INEE Minimum Standards) and the Sphere Project Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response (Sphere Handbook) as ‘Companion Standards’. This agreement represents an important partnership to support the provision of quality, equitable and relevant education in acute emergencies through to development.

The Sphere Humanitarian Charter argues for the universal right of all disaster-affected people to humanitarian assistance, while the Minimum Standards represent consensus on key technical indicators and guidance for: Water supply, Sanitation and Hygiene promotion; Food Security, Nutrition and Food Aid; Shelter, Settlement and Non-Food Items; and Health Services. The INEE Minimum Standards were developed based on the Sphere model, to promote education as a key pillar of emergency response, as well as develop a tool to ensure quality and accountability within these interventions.

The companionship agreement between Sphere and INEE is an important achievement towards one of the main objectives of INEE -– that education services are integrated into all humanitarian response from the very outset. For an effective education response that addresses children’s holistic needs, coordination and close collaboration between education and other sectors is essential. Education in safe spaces for children in an emergency context, provides a sense of normalcy, psychosocial support, and protection against harm, and a place for delivery of other vital services.

In practice, how will the agreement affect those using and promoting Sphere and the INEE Minimum Standards? What needs to be done to maximize the potential of the agreement for improving the lives of people affected by disaster? The session will provide an opportunity to share and record ideas and experience on these questions. Please come prepared to share your ideas on the operationalization of the Sphere/INEE companionship and bring any relevant tools that you have developed on both sets of standards.

Session Objectives

Objective 1: To highlight the underpinning reasons for the Sphere Handbook and INEE Minimum Standards becoming ‘Companion Standards’ (Institutional coordination; cross-sectoral linkages; relief, recovery and risk reduction)
Objective 2: To demonstrate how the link between the two sets of standards provided by the Companionship Agreement should be mutually beneficial in furthering the goals of Sphere and INEE (Promoting a dynamic network; enhancing global knowledge and capacity; financing; cross-sectoral linkages)
Objective 3: To provide an opportunity for participants to explore the potential of the Companionship Agreement in their own area of work (eg ‘field’ level, advocacy, fund raising/allocation) (Cross-sectoral linkages; financing; technical/resource capacity…..)

Expected Outcomes

Outcome 1: Knowledge is created on the Sphere/INEE Companionship (rationale, content, and implementation plans)
Outcome 2: Experience and ideas on promoting and using the two sets of standards side by side are compiled. This could be developed into Guidance Notes for INEE MS and Sphere users.

Panel

Chair: Alison Joyner, Consultant and Sphere Project Manager until February 2009

Presenters

Alison Joyner, Consultant and Sphere Project Manager
Alison, Anderson, INEE - Sphere Companionship
John Hatch, USAID
Moustafa Osman, Islamic Relief

For more information regarding this session please contact the Session Coordinator Alison Joyner at {encode="msupdate@ineesite.org" title="msupdate@ineesite.org"}.