mission and vision
The WHN is a forum to foster knowledge sharing, support and career development for women in humanitarian affairs. We are female graduate students and alumnae of Columbia University, we are committed to celebrating and promoting the participation and leadership of women and we are building a support network of women leaders in the humanitarian field. We are preparing ourselves for the challenges and rewards of our careers and lives through mentoring, peer-buddying and knowledge sharing. After graduating, we will continue to provide valuable support to each other and give back to the network by mentoring future generations of students.
Through mutual knowledge sharing and support we will enrich the lives and strengthen the careers and leadership presence of women in the field of humanitarian affairs, now and in the future.
background
The Women's Humanitarian Network (WHN) was formed in 2007 by a group of female graduate students at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) working to strengthen their careers in humanitarian affairs. Many of our members aspire to work in the field and then transition to senior level decision-making positions in international and non-governmental organizations.
However, these career aspirations are complicated by the well-known difficulties facing women seeking to rise to executive positions, the much-discussed challenges of balancing work and family life and the unique trajectory of careers built around humanitarian work. The humanitarian field is full of women who have negotiated these challenges successfully; graduate students at Columbia hope to tap into the knowledge of these women by participating in the Women's Humanitarian Network.
events
2007/082008/09
strategic objectives
- Manage the development of a mentor network between recent graduates and professional women;
- Provide the space for women to share and build upon their knowledge and experiences through regular meetings and workshops;
- Host an annual panel discussion that brings together women from mid- and high-level posts in the humanitarian field, to discuss the roles and challenges of women in humanitarian affairs.