Events

Pushing interdisciplinary boundaries and contributing to developing an inclusive humanitarian policy, this symposium aims to mobilise new voices and conceptual resources to build bridges between mainstream humanitarian and Islamic philanthropic approaches to women in displacement and humanitarian crises. Connecting humanitarian, migration and religious systems, the symposium seeks to provide a platform to exchange and discuss innovative conceptual and financing solutions to support displaced women through integrating different aid paradigms. More information available here.

The workshop will bring together around up to 50 representatives of state departments and international humanitarian organisations, including the UN representatives, INGOs and FBOs, interested in exploring inclusive, intersectional and faith-sensitive potential to advance responses to women in displacement.

This event aims to initiate a global conversation on engaging with Islamic philanthropy instruments to support women in conflict and displacement. Moving beyond fundraising, the focus centres on the ethics, delivery, understanding of lived experiences, and cultural proximity needed to effectively address the intersecting needs of displaced women across forced migration routes – on the move, in transit and places of refuge.

At the 20th International Association for the Study of Forced Migration Conference 2025 in Yogyakarta, Dr Sandra Pertek presented a paper on “Navigating Protection of Forcibly Displaced Women in Muslim-Majority Contexts: Analysis of the OIC” in the panel on Migration Governance and International Relations.

Dr Sandra Pertek conducted a session on academic policy engagement with intergovernmental organisations for the University of Northumbria, hosted by Sealey Associates.

Dr Sandra Pertek trained the Learning and Evaluation Group of Violence Reduction Units across UK Police on designing Theories of Change (TOC) for Public Research. Around 30 participants attended.

Dr Sandra Pertek met with FCDO focal points, including policy advisors and specialists in gender, protection, PSEA, and forced migration to introduce the project, discuss priorities and knowledge exchange.

Dr Sandra Pertek participated in a debrief with Dr Khaled Khalifa, UNHCR GCC Representative and Nadjia Hafsa, Deputy Representative. UNHCR KSA, and the UNHCR Islamic Philanthropy Team from Dubai office, discussing potential collaborations, including the development of a case study on the UNHCR Islamic Philanthropy Programme.

Dr Sandra Pertek met with Rt Hon. Andrew Mitchell MP, former UK Minister, to discuss the UKRI- funded research project: "Making Aid Work for Displaced Women: Integrating Islamic Philanthropy and the International Humanitarian System." She addressed humanitarian issues related to displaced women in Muslim-majority countries and the need to prioritise their protection in policy responses. Dr Pertek also shared key policy briefs underpinning the research.

Dr Sandra Pertek engaged with the Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies and Regulatory Authority for Charitable Activities of the State of Qatar at their conference, ‘Towards Effective Integration of Research and Practice’. She spoke in the panel on bridging the research, policy, and practice divide to advance global displacement responses.

Dr Sandra Pertek attended the Contemporary Discussions on Philanthropy Symposium in Istanbul, hosted by the Muslim Philanthropy Initiative, Indiana University. She presented the methodology of the “Making Aid Work for Displaced Women” project and connected with experts in Islamic philanthropy, gender, and SDGs.

Dr Sandra Pertek spoke at the Integrating Faith into MHPSS conference on 19th September, as part of the panel on Faith-Sensitive Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) and Gender. The online conference was hosted by the University of Zurich and the Joint Learning Initiative on Faith and Local Communities.