The event is free to attend. It will be broadcast live via Zoom webinar. Pre-registration is required.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has created one of the largest humanitarian crises in Europe, and perhaps the world, in decades.

This online event brings together experts from media, academia and Non-Governmental Organisations to discuss the response to the humanitarian crisis caused by the Ukraine War. It seeks to answer important questions such as:

• What is happening on the ground in Ukraine and neighbouring countries?
• What is the scale of the event, and where does it fit in historical context?
• What are the implications of the humanitarian crisis?
• What can national governments, NGOs and the public do to help?

The panelists are:

Lisette Reymer, Newshub

Lisette Reymer is the Europe Correspondent for Newshub, the New Zealand television news service. Currently based in London, she spent several weeks in Ukraine and on the Polish border covering the Russian invasion, capturing the scale of the humanitarian crisis for New Zealand television audiences. Prior to becoming Newshub European Correspondent, Lisette covered the Olympic Games in Tokyo and general news in Auckland, and has previously worked for Television New Zealand. She is a graduate of the Broadcasting School at the Ara Institute of Canterbury.

 Professor Dorota Heidrich, University of Warsaw

Professor Heidrich is a researcher and teacher at the University of Warsaw’s Faculty of Political Science and International Studies. Research interests include the issues of forced migration, transitional justice, the responsibility of individuals for international crimes and international organizations. Previous roles include deputy director of the Institute of International Relations at University of Warsaw, and positions at Sichuan University in China and Ruhr-Universität Bochum in Germany. 

 Vivienne Euini, New Zealand Red Cross

Ngāpuhi. Vivienne Euini has worked at Red Cross New Zealand  Ripeka Whero Aotearoa for close to five years and is currently Director International. Her previous roles include CEO at Anxiety New Zealand Trust and General Manager / Deputy CEO at The Phobic Trust of New Zealand. She has also been a business owner in Samoa, and previously worked in banking at ANZ and Bank of New Zealand, both based in Auckland.

Host and moderator – Dr Serena Kelly

The event is hosted and moderated by Dr Serena Kelly, Senior Lecturer on Politics of the European Union, and deputy director of the National Centre for Research on Europe at the University of Canterbury. Dr Kelly is also a national Board Member of the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs and President of the European Studies Association of Australia and New Zealand.

Background

According to the United Nations, over ten million people have been displaced, nearly a quarter of Ukraine’s population. Vast numbers are fleeing to neighbouring countries, including Poland, Moldova and elsewhere. There are large numbers of civilian casualties, with homes and municipal buildings such as hospitals damaged or destroyed. Countries around the world, including New Zealand, are rapidly reviewing their refugee policies to see what more can be done to help, while many people are donating money, goods and offering accommodation to those in need.

News media are risking much to communicate the human costs of the war to the watching world, while local populations and NGOs are doing their best to help civilian populations in dire need.