Leading Through Change: Shared Priorities for a Changing Humanitarian Landscape

On June 15^th and 16^th 2026, humanitarian leaders, policymakers and international cooperation practitioners gathered in Ottawa for two days of reflection, dialogue and collaboration on Canada’s global engagement.

The conversations began with the launch of Atlas, Cooperation Canada’s new data platform. Atlas provides a clear picture of Canada’s international cooperation sector, helping organizations, policymakers, and Canadians better understand the scale, investments and geographical footprint of Canadian organizations working around the world.

The launch was followed by a reception co-hosted by Cooperation Canada and the Humanitarian Response Network (HRN), where participants heard from Secretary of State for International Development, the Honourable Sarai, and connected with colleagues from across the sector ahead of HRN’s annual Heads of Agency Meeting.

HRN’s Heads of Agency Meeting

Held on June 16 at the Ottawa Art Gallery, the 2026 Heads of Agency Meeting brought together CEOs, Executive Directors and senior leaders from across Canada’s humanitarian sector under the theme “Leading Through Change: Shared Priorities for the Canadian Humanitarian Sector.”

Throughout the day, participants explored how organizations can respond to a rapidly evolving humanitarian landscape shaped by rising needs and geopolitical uncertainty.

The meeting opened with an interactive session led by Rachel Logel Carmichael (Ephemeris Strategy) and Michael Wodzicki (Nexus Cooperation), inviting participants to examine how partnerships may need to evolve in a changing humanitarian system. Discussions challenged participants to think beyond traditional models and consider how organizations can strengthen collaboration and share authority in an increasingly complex environment.

Participants also received an update on HRN’s priorities for the year ahead, including the launch of the network’s new learning plan, which will guide HRN’s capacity strengthening efforts through 2029. The session also highlighted HRN’s recently published 2026 Humanitarian Landscape Analysis, which provides an overview of trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping Canada’s humanitarian sector.

Humanitarian Leadership in a Time of Change Panel Discussion

Another highlight from the day was the panel discussion, Humanitarian Leadership in a Time of Change, moderated by Tara Newell of CARE Canada. Bringing together journalist and human rights defender Mostafa Al-A’sar, public opinion researcher Ihor Korbabicz (Abacus Data) and public policy expert Idee Inyangudor (Wellington Advocacy), the conversation explored what humanitarian leadership looks like in a world where many long-standing assumptions are being challenged.

Reflecting on the current global context, Inyangudor noted that humanitarian actors are increasingly operating in an environment defined by geopolitical competition and changing priorities. “We are now in an era of transition,” he observed, arguing that humanitarian organizations must continue making the case for long-term resilience and recovery alongside immediate relief efforts.

Korbabicz shared insights from recent public opinion research, highlighting that Canadians continue to value international engagement but increasingly want evidence of impact and accountability. “Canadians care. The Canadian public is on our side,” he said. “What needs to change is how we communicate value and demonstrate results in the current moment.”

For Al-A’sar, the conversation should move beyond the numbers and reconnect us with the people behind them. Drawing on his experience as a journalist, he reminded participants that humanitarian work is ultimately about human stories. “Storytelling tries to humanize these numbers,” he said. “It gives us a sense of what is happening.”

From Dialogue to Collective Action

Participants also welcomed Hong-Won Yu, Director General of the International Humanitarian Assistance Bureau at Global Affairs Canada (GAC), for an open discussion on Canada’s humanitarian priorities and engagement with the sector. The conversation provided space for dialogue on current challenges and opportunities for continued collaboration with GAC.

The day concluded with a collaborative workshop on collective priorities and opportunities for sector-wide action, covering themes ranging from localization and humanitarian access to innovation, health crises and Canadian leadership on the global stage.

Across every session, one message emerged clearly: the challenges facing the humanitarian sector are significant, but so too is the commitment of Canadian organizations to work together in addressing them.

As organizations continue to adapt to new realities, the discussions in Ottawa underscored both the challenges ahead and the enduring commitment of Canadian humanitarian actors to support communities affected by crisis around the world. As panelist Mostafa Al-A’sar reflected, “It’s time for us to work together, not to compete.”