Are we actually moving forward with technology? We have new partnerships, innovative technologies, and we definitely have the motivation, so where are we going with it all?

In 2012, a panel of humanitarian IT and telecommunications experts identified seven key lessons to be learned by the emergency response community, spanning IT innovation, new technologies, partnerships, resource-sharing and social media. It was agreed that these needed to be implemented in order for the community to advance, work more efficiently, and save more lives.

In January this year, these lessons were addressed again at the Aid and International Development Forum (AIDF) Asia-Pacific event. In a session entitled Moving Forward with Technology: Another Tool in the Toolbox? representatives from UN, NGO, Stand-by Partner, Government and Private sector organizations participated in a panel discussion to address advancements within the humanitarian IT community.

Panelists:

• Martin Kristensson [CHAIR] IT Emergency Coordinator, IT Emergency Preparedness and Response branch, UN World Food Programme (WFP) 
• Marianne Donven, Head of Humanitarian Assistance Desk, Directorate for Development Cooperation, Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Brent Carbno, Program and Solutions Manager, Ericsson Response
• Patrick Gordon, Chief, Information Technology Section, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
• Isaac Kwamy, Associate Director, Humanitarian Information & Communication Technology, World Vision International
• Christopher Sivertz, Representative, Global VSAT Forum

This document captures the discussion for the purpose of acting as a guide for future operations. The discussion is divided into the topics identified in 2012. Each section opens with the subject and outcome from the 2012 report.