The objective of the Advanced Training Program on Humanitarian Action (ATHA) is to enhance the capacity of relevant Swedish and international actors operating in the humanitarian context, to strengthen the respect for and knowledge about Humanitarian Action including International Humanitarian Law and Humanitarian Principles, and to create greater awareness and knowledge of the relationship between development cooperation and humanitarian action in emergencies with a specific focus on prevention and early recovery

ATHA is a training program is aimed at relevant Swedish and international organizations and actors on all levels working within a humanitarian context. The program does not primarily focus on individual development, but aims at supporting the participating actors professional development and capacity on an organizational level, with the long term goal of strengthening the continued professionalization of actors working within a humanitarian context
The Program stands on three pillars:

I. Program Activities
The ATHA Core Training on humanitarian action is presented twice a year. Specialized trainings on key issues are offered a number of times throughout the year. The trainings differ in length, and are focused on specific pressing issues. The training activities are designed to meet the participants’ expectations and needs. In the future seminars and conferences will be published through the program platform. Information regarding the trainings offered within the program will be published continuously, here on the ATHA-portal.

II. The ATHA-portal
Connected to the program is an Internet portal - www.atha.se. The portal functions as a communication platform, a forum for discussions for the trainings and a place where you can findinformation about the program. The portal has a LinkedIn group also connect to, a place for the ATHA Alumni Network and discussion outside the program activities on Emerging Humanitarian Challenges - please read more about our ATHA Community Forum.

III. Policy Support and Analysis
Policy development will be promoted through an ongoing policy dialogue with participating partners whereby the partnership will provide policy inputs in support of the process. This support will include the production of Thematic Briefs targeted to partners and the particular challenges they face in complex political emergencies. You can find our Briefs under Thematic Areas, but also when published under Documents, at Humanitarian Resources.

Training and Support
In these days various actors are increasingly called upon to work in complex and unstable situations. In light of this great benefit would be derived from professional training and policy resources, which would improve planning and operational capabilities in conflict areas. The increased exposure of the staff of international agencies to conflict environments is an emerging trend, which necessitates the development of strategic tools to enhance the capacity of these organizations in high-risk environments, in terms of planning, communication, negotiation of access and security of staff.

With this in mind Sida and HPCR, through training and partnerships with NGOs and other relevant actors, seek to establish a training platform for humanitarian aid professionals and provide a neutral space for reflection on emerging challenges to humanitarian aid organizations and other actors working in complex political emergencies. Within this framework the objective of ATHA is to provide fundamental knowledge of humanitarian activities in both theory and practice, in an international context.

As mentioned above, if you are member of the professional network LinkedIn please join us in fruitful discussions at ATHA Community Forum on Emerging Humanitarian Challenges.

If you seek an brief overview of humanitarian challenges we try to highlight different challenging areas within humanitarian action through our series of Thematic Briefs, soon can be found under each thematic area posted on this site at Thematic Areas. For the purpose of serving the community with information and highlighting various policy areas Sida and HPCR will continue to produce and launch various Thematic Papers on this site.

We hope that your organization will find this site useful for your professional needs and participate in future trainings and other activities within the program!

Sida and HPCR
January 2011