Jane van der Plas

Another interview on water and climate! Check it out!

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As 2024 draws to a close and global scenes of conflict fill the news, we are reminded that it is the most vulnerable who suffer most from conflicts. The last few years have tragically seen an uptick in the number of #humanitarian crises, with at least 363 million people requiring #emergency #aid in 2023, a fourfold increase from 2013, 145 million of whom are children. These numbers continue to grow - nearly 40% of children in countries affected by conflict live in extremely poor households. This milestone report published by our partners, UNICEF outlines new guidance on how to manage funding for social services in a humanitarian context. Tomas Lievens Yacine Bio Tchane Majdoulene Kerish مجدولين قرش Loubna Marfouk Samantha Jelley Amelia Davy from the Human Development team all contributed to the findings of the report, the recommendations of which we hope will be widely adopted by those in the humanitarian space.

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Greetings, LinkedIn! I'm open to work, looking for my next position in policy and research. Let's get in touch if you have a full-time role open (remote or in the Netherlands) or need a contract researcher / paper-writer / strategic thinking consultant! My current & recent policy work is in international cultural heritage, where I encourage institutions to 'open' their collections and promote laws fit for 21st-century digital access and preservation. I'm skilled at conducting qualitative research, building stakeholder networks, developing consensus positions, and communicating with diverse audiences. I also hold a PhD in Anthropology / Digital Economy Research and have lived & worked in five countries. If you look through my profile, you'll see a diverse, versatile skill set with foundations in marketing writing & journalism. That's BAD for algorithms seeking highly specific word choices, but GOOD for YOU, potential employer and colleagues: I can quickly immerse myself in new topics and am a fast learner. I'm happy to explore new directions. More academically: my work to date has most directly focused on intersections of law, technology, and human rights. I have specific expertise in copyright (from a user rights / cultural heritage perspective), privacy, and the asylum process. I'm interested in how information is shared and withheld; how policy affects real people; and what happens when a breakdown between law and practice causes everything to grind to a halt. I share and discuss IP news through my weekly Substack, Copyright and the Public Interest, and have forthcoming work on the history of the Open Culture movement and copyright issues in video game preservation. So, if you know of any open roles in policy, research, or other exciting career fields heretofore untold (AI? An unexpected resurgence of interest in Bronze Age writing systems?), please get in touch.

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🍃Don’t miss this highlight video from the 14th Meeting of the European Environment and Health Task Force #EHTF. It summarizes the milestones & key outcomes achieved by @WHO-europe Member States to convert the #BudapestDeclaration commitments into #EnvironmentandHealth positive actions.

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On November 22, 2024, I successfully defended my PhD thesis “Armed non-state actors in conflict: strategic decision-making in the 2014 IS-KRI conflict” at Leiden University. The thesis explains the strategic decision-making of the armed non-state actors (ANSAs) Islamic State (IS) and the Kurdistan Region in Iraq (KRI) during their mutual conflict in 2014.   The study incorporates well-established International Relations (IR) paradigms into a complexity theory approach, assuming time-, space-, and context-specific factors and multi-level and multi-directional processes. The study contributes to understanding the under-researched subject of ANSAs’ strategic decision-making within IR and indicates that ANSAs’ strategic decision-making is as complex as that of states. Current events in Syria since the end of November 2024 illustrate the relevance of ANSAs and ANSAs’ strategic decision-making, as well as how they both affect and are affected by numerous actors and factors.   Many thanks go out to my supervisors, professors Edwin Bakker and Beatrice de Graaf. The PhD thesis can be accessed at: https://lnkd.in/eGBvpMhg .

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The decision by the Netherlands to formally request an exemption from the European Union’s Migration and Asylum Pact reflects growing national pressures surrounding refugee policies. In April 2023, the European Parliament approved a new Migration and Asylum Pact that establishes a common strategy within the European Union (EU) to address ongoing migration challenges. The pact aims to balance the responsibility of hosting asylum seekers and refugees among member states and proposes a new framework for both legal and irregular migration. The pact requires EU member states to cooperate on refugee relocation or make financial contributions to a shared fund if they are unwilling to accept refugees. This comprehensive plan is designed to mitigate the disproportionate pressures felt by front-line states like Italy, Greece, and Spain, which have long faced the brunt of irregular migration flows. What are the causes and political pressures? The Netherlands, under its newly formed government led by the Partij voor de Vrijheid (Party for Freedom - PVV), has formally requested an exemption from this Migration and Asylum Pact, citing internal pressures related to refugee policy. The PVV, known for its anti-immigration stance, has gained momentum in part due to growing domestic discontent surrounding the nation’s asylum policy. Some background key Figures: **The Netherlands received 47,991 asylum applications in 2022, a significant increase from the previous year (29,370 applications in 2021). This marked a 63% increase year-on-year, driven by conflicts in regions like Ukraine and Afghanistan. **The Dutch population expresses growing concern about migration, with a 53% increase in citizens who view migration as a national problem, according to a 2023 Ipsos poll. **A Eurobarometer survey published in early 2023 found that 67% of Dutch respondents believed that the EU was not doing enough to manage migration, contributing to the populist PVV's recent electoral success. **Government Budgetary Pressures: In 2023, the Netherlands allocated €1.2 billion for refugee housing and integration programs, a 15% increase from the previous year. Local governments have reported that existing infrastructure and resources are being stretched to their limits, further fuelling anti-migration sentiments. Contact us for Deep Dive and Net Assesment: https://lnkd.in/dWcPdgK7 #EUmigration #NetherlandsPolicy #HungaryEU #MigrationCrisis #EuropeanUnion #LegalSovereignty #RefugeeCrisis #AsylumPolicy #GeopoliticalStrategy #EUlaw #JoseParejoAndAssociates

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I have finished the Advanced Course in Humanitarian Negotiation Skills by The Clingendael Institute. What was of particular interest to me is how cultural perceptions, identities, and core beliefs play a role in the negotiation process. Sometimes, we (myself included) tend to focus mainly on the "Content" part of the negotiations, while in reality, it's only one of three key communications components. When you are stuck in a deadlock, it may be useful to examine the "Process" and "Role/Relations" levels to better understand the complex situation. If your issue resolves on the "Relations" level due to the differences in cultural background and/or identities, here are a few tips on how to approach it: • work within cultural boundaries • recognize and work with divergent authority systems • choose different communication styles: direct/indirect And most importantly • focus on the problem and possible solutions, don’t make principles into the problem.

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I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to such a valuable initiative by providing inputs and sharing Ukraine’s Country Office case study with colleagues and partners across regions Given Ukraine's challenging fiscal situation in recent years and the urgent needs of millions of children in the country, it is critically important to safeguard social spending for children. Addressing the debt crisis, strengthening financial systems for agile and rapid responses at both national and local levels, and enhancing PFM risk management and contingency financing are essential steps toward achieving equitable and sustainable outcomes for children. Children's well-being must remain a top priority in public finance discussions, especially in fragile and humanitarian contexts. With a great appreciation to Munir Mammadzade Alberto Musatti Orria Goñi Delzangles Paul von Kittlitz Carlota Rego Buthaina Al-Iryani UNICEF Ukraine I wish Ukraine and children in Ukraine has never had to face such contexts #ChildRights #F4C #PF4C #PublicFinance #SocialProtection

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"How can we make sure that the people who best understand the humanitarian context and bear the most risk can also take the lead in offering more adequate and informed assistance to those in need?." Gijs van Selm is studying for a PhD in the Department of International Development. His research is concerned with the localisation of humanitarian aid in complex emergencies, focusing specifically on Northwest Syria. Read the full Q&A with Gijs here - https://lnkd.in/eEaxJrMY #LSEResearch

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Meet our colleague Anouk Pronk in this next edition of 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐞𝐥!⤵ 𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒓𝒐𝒍𝒆? I work as a Junior Researcher. My main focus is on migration, specifically asylum migration, within both European and global contexts. Recent projects include studying Ukrainian displaced persons in the Netherlands and conducting comparative analyses of asylum policies across various countries. We also organise events to engage with policymakers, civil society and international organisations. I particularly appreciate this practical approach, as we strive to not to be academically isolated and interact with various points of view. 𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙤 𝙙𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙟𝙤𝙗? My motivation is to provide society and policymakers with independent information and facts from thorough research. I believe that in our society, it’s crucial to keep all issues, including migration, open for discussion. We try to approach societal concerns with an open mind. However, it is essential to continuously emphasize the complexity of migration. This rather than resorting to simplistic narratives, statements, and one-liners. 🔵 📖: 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: https://lnkd.in/gvNUxX_J

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The environmental devastation occurring in #Gaza has far-reaching implications for public health and the livelihoods of Palestinians. In our discussions with Aljazeera Media Initiatives | المبادرات الإعلامية , our colleague Wim Zwijnenburg examined the consequences of Israel's military actions in the Gaza Strip. Recent reports indicate that over 67% of buildings in the region have been either damaged or completely destroyed. Additionally, more than 66% of agricultural land has been severely affected, with over half of the agricultural wells rendered inoperable and nearly 60% of the water infrastructure damaged or destroyed. The impact of this destruction extends beyond immediate physical loss; it poses significant threats to food security, access to clean water, and overall public health. The cleanup and reconstruction efforts will necessitate substantial financial resources and will likely take decades to fully realize. The situation remains dire, and urgent attention is required to address these critical issues. 📺 Check the item below: https://lnkd.in/eQ8u9x4c

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🌐 How do people interact with each other on social media and other online platforms? How do they end up in conflict? And most importantly: how can we prevent these discussions from escalating? Read the interview with Maud Oostindie: t.co/dwoa60vsGJ

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I’m excited to share that my review of Continental Encampment: Genealogies of Humanitarian Containment in the Middle East and Europe, edited by Are John Knudsen and Kjersti G. Berg, has been published in the Journal of Migration and Society. The book closely aligns with my research interests, offering a comprehensive analysis of migration governance and the lived experiences of refugees and host communities within the framework of humanitarian containment. It provides a critical historical analysis of the politics of containment stemming from the European Union’s externalization policies and the dynamics of migration governance, which continue to shape migration policies across the Middle East. As a strong advocate for Open Access, I believe that making knowledge freely available to all is essential for advancing research and fostering inclusive dialogue. Please help us keep this important research publicly accessible by recommending this journal to your library, whose regular subscription will directly support ongoing, equitable Open Access. The review is available to read online here: https://lnkd.in/dEWZgP6g. I’d love to hear your thoughts if you’ve read the book or have an interest in this important topic! #MigrationStudies #HumanitarianGovernance #BookReview #OpenAccess

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Update of Today: The DRC Türkiye signed a coordination protocol with the Şanlıurfa Governorate that intends to address the humanitarian needs of both refugees and the host community in Şanlıurfa. Specifically, it emphasizes the mutual objective towards women’s empowerment and the provision of humanitarian assistance to individuals requiring support within the Protection and Economic Recovery sectors. This significant step aims to strengthen outreach to those in need and foster greater collaboration and coordination by actively supporting local stakeholders’ efforts.

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Over the next year, for my Action Project with Humanity in Action and Humanity in Action Nederland, I will be putting together a series of deep dives into the global anti-gender movement, its violent but increasingly mainstreamed rhetorical strategies, and the risks it poses to feminist and queer politics. Border-spanning, well-resourced, and haunting both the corridors of state power and the edges of public consciousness, anti-gender actors costume themselves as populist saviors rebelling against what they term “gender ideology” to advance a project of profound sexual and gender conservatism across the intimate, local, national, and global scales. “Gender ideology,” a pejorative, weaponized misstatement of what we call feminist and queer theory and practice, has proven to be a powerful resource for pursuing de-democratizing efforts, undermining LGBTQI+ and reproductive rights, and targeting gender-responsive normative frameworks such as the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda. And yet anti-gender actors have been highly effective at disguising the hetero-patriarchal authoritarianism of their gender and sexual politics by claiming to speak in the name of “the truth,” “science,” and “common sense.” Not they, they say, but the unbending laws of the world, the needs of health, the imperatives of national security, the protection of children, etc. are what demand conformity to their restrictive political and social order. If you are interested in reading more about the history and politics of what I call “anti-gender thought”—the weaponized concepts and theories through which anti-gender actors bid for epistemic legitimacy—please consider checking out the first article of my series and subscribing to my Substack.

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The Hidden Influence of Harmful Industries on Public Health Industries like food, alcohol, gambling, and pharmaceuticals use tactics similar to tobacco to evade regulation and influence health systems, policymakers, and professionals. These conflicts of interest harm public health, distort research, and erode trust in science. What needs to change: 👉Conflict-free regulation: End financial ties between regulators and harmful industries. 👉Cultural shift: Health professionals and institutions must reject funding from these industries. 👉Stronger policies: Zero-tolerance for conflicts of interest in health education, research, and policymaking. 👉Government leadership: Set clear standards prioritizing public health over profit. We need systemic change to protect human and planetary health. #PublicHealth #ConflictsOfInterest #HealthPolicy #Accountability

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I look forward to speaking at this meeting on November 1st - friends in & around The Hague come join the conversation (register at the link below)! There is clearly a measurement mismatch between what people working at the local level deem important and what funders want to hear is happening. Mainstream M&E systems are mostly centered on parameters dictated by external agencies that are passed down (in the intermediation chain) through extractive, disproportionately burdensome and often useless metrics and modalities. Shifting power and supporting locally-led development entails embracing a different approach to measurement, learning and accountability in civil society. Luckily within the #ShiftThePower movement there is no shortage of examples and resources to help us rethink approaches and modalities to measure what really matters.       Kudos to Vice Versa & Wilde Ganzen/Giving for Change for organizing this important exchange.   REGISTER HERE: https://lnkd.in/ekWVpW2V #MEL #DecolonizingDevelopment #LocallyLedDevelopment 

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✅ “Evidence-based Recovery and Cohesion Lab” — we are launching a new project. We thank the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ukraine for their support! This project will strengthen civil society organizations by enhancing their research, policy analysis, and advocacy skills. We will: 🔸 help several hromadas to research their current issues 🔸 conduct a series of educational seminars 🔸 talk about research and analysis in new podcasts 🔸 continue to discuss ways to solve problems in hromadas on mistosite.org.ua In addition, the project has a public programme and networking between local organisations and national authorities. More about the project 👉 bit.ly/3ZH7sWj “Both local and national governments are facing many challenges related to the war, the need to implement reforms, lack of resources, etc. As a result, the authorities at these two levels do not always recognise each other’s problems and needs. To enable them to work in synergy, it is important to have a dialogue where they can discuss current issues and find solutions together. Providing a platform for such conversations is one of the goals of our project,“ — Yulia Kabanets, Senior Analyst at Cedos. The “Evidence-based Recovery and Cohesion Lab” project is implemented by Cedos with the support of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

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