“When you arrive in Myanmar, what strikes you most is how beautiful the place is, the country and the people. And you soon realize how separated communities are.” — Gwyn Lewis

What does it really take to uphold dignity, safety, and human rights when every decision in a crisis could mean the difference between access and compromise?

In this episode of the Protection Leadership Podcast, Panos Moumtzis speaks with Gwyn Lewis about leading humanitarian efforts in one of the world’s most complex crises. Drawing on her experience in Myanmar and earlier work in Palestine and Bangladesh, Gwyn emphasizes that protection is not just about delivering aid, but about safeguarding dignity, rights, and access. 

Gwyn reflects on the realities of Myanmar, where widespread conflict, displacement, and fragmented control create immense operational and ethical challenges. The conversation explores how humanitarian leaders balance access with principles, navigate political sensitivities, and make difficult decisions amid severe funding cuts. 

The conversation highlights the importance of collective leadership, localization, and trust-building with all stakeholders, including affected communities and conflict actors. Gwyn also underscores the emotional toll on teams and the need for empathy and shared responsibility. 

Ultimately, this episode reinforces that protection must remain the guiding framework for prioritization, even in resource-constrained environments, and that hope is sustained through the resilience and agency of affected communities.

Key takeaways

Protection as the Core of Humanitarian Action

Protection is about ensuring rights, dignity, and safety, not just delivering aid. Centering protection leads to more sustainable and meaningful outcomes.

Negotiating Access in Complex Conflict Settings

Humanitarian leaders must engage with all parties to a conflict, balancing neutrality with advocacy to reach vulnerable populations.

Collective Leadership and Localization Matter

Effective responses depend on collaboration across UN agencies, NGOs, and especially local actors who bring critical contextual knowledge and leadership.

Difficult Trade-offs in Resource-Constrained Environments

Funding cuts force painful prioritization decisions, often requiring leaders to choose between essential services while managing increased protection risks.

Hope Driven by Community Resilience

Despite prolonged crises, the resilience and initiative of affected communities remain a key source of motivation and hope for humanitarian leaders.

Timestamps

(03:19) Protection in Palestine

(05:05) First impressions of Myanmar

(06:39) Displacement complexities

(10:44) Intervention examples

(14:43) Access vs principles

(20:24) Localization of national NGOs

(23:29) Rohingya response in Bangladesh

(26:50) Maintaining neutrality

(31:06) Strategies in sensitive environments

(33:28) How do you keep protection a priority?

(35:27) Advice from Gwyn Lewis

Guest bio: Gwyn Lewis

Gwyn Lewis is the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Myanmar, responsible for coordinating UN activities in the country. Gwyn recognizes that the three global pillars of the UN, development, peace and security, and human rights, are interlinked and mutually reinforcing. 

Gwyn brings over 25 years of experience in international development, peacebuilding, and humanitarian affairs. Earlier in her career, Ms. Lewis worked with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), where she managed the Global Clusters Coordination section within the organization’s Emergency Division.

Discover More about Gwyn  

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“Afghanistan remains the second largest humanitarian crisis after Yemen and Sudan. When you look at just the needs alone of the people, 22 million people or 50% of the population are in need of humanitarian assistance.” — Indrika Ratwatte

What makes Afghanistan's crisis uniquely complex?

In this episode of Protection Leadership , Panos Moumtzis speaks with Indrika Ratwatte, the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Afghanistan, to discuss one of the world’s most complex protection environments.

Afghanistan faces overlapping crises: millions in need of humanitarian aid, large-scale returns of Afghans, natural disasters, climate shocks, and sweeping restrictions disproportionately impacting women and girls.

Indrika Ratwatte provides an insider’s perspective on balancing principled advocacy with programmatic delivery, navigating dialogue with de facto authorities, and championing the rights and dignity of all Afghans amid acute challenges.

The discussion highlights innovative approaches to bridging humanitarian and development work, the importance of empowering Afghan civil society (especially women-led organizations), and the need to keep compassion, engagement, and evidence-based action at the heart of protection leadership.

Afghanistan is at a crossroads. Will the world step up, or turn away?

Key Takeaways

Bridging Humanitarian & Development Efforts

Indrika Ratwatte stresses the importance of connecting life-saving humanitarian action with long-term development to help communities transition from fragility to stability, despite funding shortfalls and operational constraints.

Advocacy Backed by Evidence

Real change requires ongoing, fact-based dialogue, not one-way communication. Advocacy with the de facto authorities is creating space for critical sectors such as women’s health, education, and economic empowerment.

Empowering Local Actors

The path forward hinges on localization. Indrika Ratwatte highlights how investing in national NGOs, especially Afghan women-led organizations, ensures that assistance is sustainable and truly meets community needs.

Timestamps

(02:46) Protection risks in Afghanistan

(05:54) Challenges for women in Afghanistan

(08:49) Advocating for Afghan women's rights

(16:42) Innovative approaches

(21:45) Development actors

(25:48) Working with DFAs

(32:03) Empowering Afghan national women

(34:55) Indrika’s message of hope

Guest bio: Indrika Rattwatte

Indrika Ratwatte brings over 30 years of experience in humanitarian affairs and protection in complex and crisis settings, including over 14 years of working on Afghanistan and regional issues. 

He began his career with the United Nations in 1992 at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), and later joined the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in 1993. 

His most recent positions have included Director of the UNHCR Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific, where he previously also served as Deputy and UNHCR Representative in Pakistan. He served with UNHCR as Deputy Representative in the United Republic of Tanzania and Pakistan, along with prior assignments in Thailand, Croatia, China, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Discover More about Indrika   

If you enjoyed this episode of Protection Leadership, please subscribe, share, and leave a review. For more practical insights and real-world conversations that put protection at the heart of humanitarian action, visit geli.org.

"Do not speak on my behalf. Let me be there and tell you how protection looks like..." - 

Ana Maria Diez

If you enjoyed this episode of Protection Leadership, please subscribe, share, and leave a review. For more practical insights and real-world conversations that put protection at the heart of humanitarian action, visit geli.org.

“If you don’t speak up, nothing will change. If I say something, and it rings to one person in the room…then that might be the person who needs to hear it that day.” –Taban Shoresh

Can lived experience truly shape a person’s path and inspire them to advocate for the protection of the most vulnerable?

In this episode of the Protection Leadership podcast, Taban Shoresh—former Iraqi refugee, women’s rights activist, founder of The Lotus Flower, and recipient of the Nansen Refugee Award—joins Panos Moumtzis for a deeply personal conversation.

She shares the harrowing experiences of her early childhood—being imprisoned, nearly buried alive, fleeing conflict, and rebuilding her life as a refugee in the United Kingdom.

Through honesty and vulnerability, Taban reflects on gender, identity, and the powerful role that lived experience can play in shaping humanitarian leadership. She also speaks about how her past drives her advocacy for women and girls, the creation of The Lotus Flower, and her belief that protection must remain a core pillar of humanitarian action.

Key Takeaways

If you enjoyed this episode of Protection Leadership, please subscribe, share, and leave a review. For more practical insights and real-world conversations that put protection at the heart of humanitarian action, visit geli.org.

“If the humanitarians are not speaking up, it’s easier for everyone else to ignore our protection problem.” — Jeremy Konyndyk

Has the world stopped enforcing the rules meant to protect civilians in conflict?

In this episode of Protection Leadership, Panos Moumtzis speaks with Jeremy Konyndyk, President of Refugees International, about the erosion of International Humanitarian Law (IHL), the collapse of political consensus around civilian protection, and the difficult balance between operational access and principled advocacy.

Drawing on decades of frontline experience (from the Balkans to Yemen, from leading USAID’s disaster response operations to coordinating global COVID-19 and MPox responses), Jeremy reflects on the growing strain on humanitarian norms. He examines how geopolitical fragmentation, shrinking resources, and inconsistent enforcement of international law have weakened protections for civilians.

Together, they explore a central tension in humanitarian leadership: When should humanitarians prioritize access, and when must they risk it to speak out?

Key Takeaways

The Erosion of International Humanitarian Law

Jeremy discusses the alarming decline in global commitment to International Humanitarian Law and civilian protection norms. When enforcement becomes politicized or selective, the credibility of IHL is weakened, and civilians pay the price.

Balancing Advocacy and Humanitarian Access

Humanitarian organizations often face a difficult trade-off: speak out and risk access, or stay quiet to preserve operations. Jeremy argues that differentiation within the system is essential. Advocacy organizations may need to be louder, while operational agencies must carefully navigate risk without abandoning principle.

Protection Is Not Optional, It’s Foundational

Aid delivery alone cannot prevent famine, displacement, or violence. Protection considerations must be embedded in the design and execution of humanitarian programs, from refugee camp policies to the rights to work and to freedom of movement.

Reviving Accountability and “Shame”

Jeremy makes the case that international protection norms once carried political cost for violators. Rebuilding accountability requires restoring consequences, including reputational consequences, for violations of civilian protection.

Timestamps

(02:41) Protection concerns in humanitarian aid

(08:34) Have humanitarians become too risk-averse?

(12:04) Controlling the narrative around civilian protection

(13:52) When to speak loudly — and when to calibrate

(19:18) Balancing operational ability and moral courage

(24:05) How humanitarians can drive real protection impact

(27:40) Examples of effective protection interventions

(31:33) Why we need to “bring back shame” in international law

(35:38) Advice for the next generation of humanitarian leaders

Guest Bio: Jeremy Konyndyk

Jeremy Konyndyk is the President of Refugees International, a leading advocacy organization focused on refugee rights, humanitarian protection, and displacement policy.

He previously served in senior roles in both the Obama and Biden administrations. From 2013–2017, he was Director of USAID’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA), where he led U.S. responses to major global crises, including the West Africa Ebola outbreak, the Nepal earthquake, conflict in Syria and South Sudan, and the 2016 Ethiopia drought.

In the Biden administration, Jeremy served as USAID’s lead official for COVID-19, overseeing a multi-billion-dollar global response portfolio and coordinating international vaccine donations under the Global VAX initiative. He later led the U.S. government’s global MPox response.

Between government appointments, he was a senior policy fellow at the Center for Global Development, where he led the “Rethinking Humanitarian Reform” initiative, examining how to shift power toward crisis-affected populations and strengthen accountability in the humanitarian system.

Discover More about Jeremy   

Jeremy Konyndyk on LinkedIn

If you enjoyed this episode of Protection Leadership, please subscribe, share, and leave a review. For more practical insights and real-world conversations that put protection at the heart of humanitarian action, visit geli.org.

“Values and principles should be at the backbone of any governance structure.” — Aleksejs Ivashuk

What does it mean to live without a nationality?

In this episode of Protection Leadership, Panos Moumtzis speaks with Aleksejs Ivashuk, founder of the Apatride Network and a leading advocate for stateless people across Europe.

Drawing from his own lived experience growing up without nationality, Aleksejs offers a powerful, firsthand account of the everyday realities of statelessness; from barriers to education and housing to unpredictable discrimination and the psychological toll of existing outside legal recognition.

Together, they explore how statelessness remains largely invisible within the global system, why current governance frameworks often fail those without citizenship, and how meaningful reform requires centering the voices of those directly affected.

This is a moving and thought-provoking conversation about identity, dignity, belonging, and the urgent need to put statelessness and protection firmly on the global agenda.

Key Takeaways

Statelessness Is Often Invisible, By Design

Many states do not properly identify or record stateless populations. As a result, millions remain excluded from public awareness, policy discussions, and reliable data collection.

Statelessness Means Constant Uncertainty

Without legal nationality, everyday activities (attending school, renting a home, opening a bank account) can become major obstacles. The lack of formal recognition creates systemic vulnerability and unpredictable discrimination.

Solutions Must Center Stateless Voices

Lasting reform requires meaningful participation of stateless individuals in decision-making spaces. As Aleksejs explains, inclusion must go beyond tokenism; those affected must have a seat at the table in shaping legal and policy solutions.

Timestamps

(02:19) Growing up without nationality

(10:52) What is the Apatride Network?

(14:37) Raising awareness of statelessness within the UN

(15:57) The lived experience of being stateless

(17:44) Common misconceptions about stateless people

(21:52) Political and structural obstacles

(23:37) Where humanitarian systems fall short

(28:18) Why principles and values matter in governance

(31:23) Global reforms needed to address statelessness

(34:03) A message to governments

Guest Bio: Aleksejs Ivashuk

Aleksejs Ivashuk is the founder of the Apatride Network, a coalition of stateless individuals and stateless-led organisations working to address statelessness across the European Union.

He is an associate member of the European Network on Statelessness and serves on UNHCR’s Advisory Board of organisations led by forcibly displaced and stateless people.

In 2024, he co-founded the Blockchain for Human Rights Consortium, bringing together stateless-led and exile-led coalitions to advocate for the responsible use of blockchain technology in the digitisation of identification systems.

Aleksejs is widely recognised for advancing stateless-led advocacy and pushing for governance reforms rooted in dignity, inclusion, and fundamental rights.

Discover More about Aleksejs  

Aleksejs Ivashuk on LinkedIn

Apatride Network

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“Too many people being too scared means that the few who speak up are more exposed. We have to speak up.”
— Jan Egeland

What does real courage look like in humanitarian leadership?

In this episode of Protection Leadership, Panos Moumtzis sits down with Jan Egeland, Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) and one of the most prominent voices in global humanitarian advocacy.

With over three decades at the forefront of humanitarian crises, human rights advocacy, and peace negotiations, Jan reflects on the risks and responsibilities of speaking truth to power. Together, they explore why excessive caution in humanitarian diplomacy can come at a devastating cost, and why protection leadership demands clarity, solidarity, and moral courage.

From confronting atrocities and challenging armed actors, to strengthening collective leadership within the UN and NGO system, this conversation examines how to turn the centrality of protection from rhetoric into real operational change for civilians under threat.

Key Takeaways

Courage in Humanitarian Advocacy

Humanitarian leaders often default to caution, but silence can enable impunity. Jan argues that speaking up, even when politically risky, is essential to protect civilians and uphold humanitarian principles.

Collective and Principled Leadership

Protection cannot rely on isolated individuals. Effective leadership requires solidarity across agencies, humanitarian coordinators, NGOs, and local actors, ensuring that those who speak out are supported, not sidelined.

From Policy to Field Impact

The humanitarian system risks becoming over-bureaucratised. Jan calls for simplified coordination, stronger field presence, and action-driven leadership that prioritises operational protection over endless policy discussions.

Timestamps

(00:00) Leadership, courage, and advocacy in humanitarian crises

(04:38) Risk-taking, judgment, and the cost of excessive caution

(08:11) Humanitarian leadership and accountability

(12:49) Civilians in conflict and global trends in violence

(14:21) Ending impunity and protecting vulnerable communities

(23:33) Leadership support and the role of local actors

(24:23) Addressing challenges posed by armed groups

(30:19) Streamlining humanitarian coordination for action

(33:01) Sustaining passion and commitment in protection leadership

Guest Bio: Jan Egeland

Jan Egeland is the Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). In 2006, Time Magazine named him one of the “100 People Who Shape Our World.”

With more than 30 years of experience in international humanitarian work, human rights, and conflict resolution, Jan played a key role in the peace negotiations that led to the Oslo Accords between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization in 1993.

He is also the author of A Billion Lives: An Eyewitness Report from the Frontlines of Humanity (2010), a powerful reflection on decades of frontline humanitarian engagement.

Discover More about Jan  

Jan Egeland on LinkedIn

Jan Egeland on X

If you enjoyed this episode of Protection Leadership, please subscribe, share, and leave a review. For more practical insights and real-world conversations that put protection at the heart of humanitarian action, visit geli.org.

In the world of humanitarian aid, who are we really accountable to?

In this episode of Protection Leadership, host Panos Moumtzis is joined by Louise Aubin, UNHCR Representative in Malaysia, for a powerful conversation on moral clarity, accountability, and protection-centred leadership in today’s humanitarian crises. Together, they explore why protection is everyone’s business, not a specialist function, but a shared responsibility that should guide every humanitarian decision, across sectors and contexts.

Louise reflects on the now-influential moment when she sketched the idea of the “centrality of protection” on a napkin. A simple concept that went on to shape global humanitarian policy and practice.

“I’ve had protection as my compass — because it reminds me who I’m accountable to.”  — Louise Aubin

Drawing on experience from Cox’s Bazar, Niger, and her current role in Malaysia, Louise illustrates how principle, pragmatism, humility, and collaboration are essential to effective leadership, particularly when resources are limited and the stakes are high.

Key Takeaways

Protection Is Everyone’s Responsibility

Real impact happens when protection moves beyond mandates. Whether working on food, shelter, health, or education, every humanitarian actor shares responsibility for the safety, dignity, and rights of displaced people.

Leadership Requires Moral Clarity, Humility, and Purpose

Effective leaders are guided by the needs of affected communities, not by ego or certainty. Louise highlights the importance of balancing humility with decisive action, while remaining passionately focused on protection outcomes.

Influence Comes Through Connection and Coalition-Building

True influence isn’t just positional. Building broad coalitions (across civil society, authorities, humanitarian actors, and communities) creates space for change. Listening, consultation, and collaboration are critical leadership tools.

If you enjoyed this episode of Protection Leadership, please subscribe, share, and leave a review. For more practical insights and real-world conversations that put protection at the heart of humanitarian action, visit geli.org.

In the first episode of Protection Leadership, Panos Moumtzis is joined by Ruven Menikdiwela, Assistant High Commissioner for Refugees at UNHCR, for an in-depth conversation on the evolving realities of refugee protection and humanitarian leadership.

Together, they explore the growing pressure on the international protection system, from governments questioning the relevance of the 1951 Refugee Convention, to the complex realities of mixed migration, shrinking humanitarian resources, and long-term displacement crises.

“Everything we do has protection at its core.” – Ruven Menikdiwela

Drawing on more than 30 years of frontline and leadership experience, Ruven shares practical insights on advocacy, coalition-building, and getting things done in complex operational environments, while keeping the most vulnerable at the centre of decision-making.

Key Takeaways

Advocacy Must Offer Solutions, Not Just Problems

Effective protection advocacy requires empathy and realism. Ruven explains why engaging governments means understanding their constraints and pairing principled positions with practical, feasible solutions, rather than simply escalating concerns.

Protection Is Central to All Humanitarian Action

Protection goes far beyond legal frameworks. From how camps are designed and lit, to education access and registration systems, protection principles must shape every operational decision to make a real difference in people’s lives.

Courage, Prioritisation, and Partnerships Matter More Than Ever

With humanitarian funding under increasing strain, leaders must embrace hyper-prioritisation, clear messaging, and strong coalitions. Data-driven advocacy and coordinated diplomacy are essential to ensure those most at risk are not left behind.

Timestamps

(00:00) Introducing Ruven Menikdiwela and UNHCR’s protection mandate

(05:36) Refugee obligations and today’s migration challenges

(08:14) Simplifying humanitarian coordination systems

(12:07) Protection beyond basic services

(14:39) UN reform and coordination evolution

(16:24) Focused humanitarian strategies in Ukraine

(22:19) Evolving refugee policies and inclusion

(25:58) Government approaches to refugee transfers

(27:56) Advocacy through empathy and solutions

(32:11) Sexual violence as a weapon of war

(35:51) Principles of unified humanitarian diplomacy

(39:46) Protecting refugees through strategic advocacy

(42:15) Why protection is simply common sense

(44:11) Advocating for detained asylum seekers

Guest Bio: Ruven Menikdiwela

Ruven Menikdiwela is the Assistant High Commissioner for Refugees at UNHCR. She brings over three decades of experience working with and for refugees, having held senior leadership roles, including UNHCR Representative in Pakistan and Thailand.

An expert in international refugee law, Ruven has served in multiple critical legal and protection-focused positions since joining UNHCR in 1988. Her career has been defined by a commitment to principled yet pragmatic protection leadership across complex humanitarian contexts.

Discover More about Ruven

Find Ruven on LinkedIn

If you enjoyed this episode of Protection Leadership, please subscribe, share, and leave a review. For more practical insights and real-world conversations that put protection at the heart of humanitarian action, visit geli.org.

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Funded by the European Union Humanitarian Aid

Produced by Saspod

If you enjoyed this episode of Protection Leadership, please subscribe, share, and leave a review. For more practical insights and real-world conversations that put protection at the heart of humanitarian action, visit geli.org.