Over the last 10 years, Fleet Forum member organisations have grown and changed to accommodate the evolving landscape of humanitarian work.  These same organisations are constantly seeking ways to better manage their vehicle fleets under the pressure of ever-changing operations.  In these changing times of programme delivery, the effectiveness of supply chains are impacted by a variety of stakeholders, particularly when it comes to transport.  From donors, to agencies themselves, through commercial suppliers, and other partner organisations, each plays a vital role in transport operations and how they are affecting humanitarian goals.

On  11-12 March 2010, representatives from 38 NGOs, UN agencies, INGOs, the Red Cross movement, commercial companies and academia came together at the INSEAD Fontainebleau campus to help answer some of the questions as to how the varying stakeholders in humanitarian programme delivery can play a successful role and facilitate activities that lead us closer to achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

Taking advantage of the superb academic environment, the 2010 Annual Conference drew upon the specialised expertise of INSEAD's Humanitarian Research Group (HRG).  The HRG has been conducting extensive research on fleet management in the humanitarian sector since 2007, and has partnered with the Fleet Forum and our members on several key research initiatives.  Taking the lead on several key areas of the conference, INSEAD lead interesting discussions on topics ranging from fair process leadership as it relates to the sector, to how system dynamics can be utilised for creating optimal fleets, to a special workshop identifying the impact different sectors have on the humanitarian supply chain.

The Fleet Forum Updated Strategy

The 2010 event was also an opportunity for the Fleet Forum itself to announce its new expanded strategic focus.  Following a year long process that included the engagement of strategic planning, transport, and humanitarian operations experts, the Forum has embarked on plans to tackle transport as a wider development goal beyond its impact on humanitarian operations alone.  While the humanitarian focus remains the core, the Fleet Forum has long encouraged the global community to recognise the important role transport plays on its ability to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.  Transport is arguably the single most significant tool utilised by humanitarian agencies, governments and businesses to move the people, goods, and resources that drive both the global economy and international development.  Goods cannot reach end users without some kind of wheeled transport, as humanitarian agencies are unable to reach the communities most in need without using some kind of vehicles to move staff and resources there.  In this instance then vehicles are a key tool to achieve the MDGs.  At the same time, as economic development occurs in low and middle income countries more vehicles are required, increasing the environmental and safety impacts transport plays on communities.  For the Fleet Forum today then, transport is viewed in its capacity as a broader enabler of development goals in low and middle income countries.  For more information on transport as an enabler of the MDGs please click here.

Opening Remarks - Lars Gustavsson
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Lars Gustavsson is Senior Executive Officer and Vice President for Humanitarian & Emergency Affairs, Collaboration and Business Innovation, is responsible for expanding World Vision's capacity to engage more fully in the broad sectors of International Development, Global Policy, Humanitarianism and Disaster Management. Lars is also charged with organising leaders within World Vision for Global Relationships, Collaboration or Partnerships across a range of Transnationals – to enhance World Vision’s presence and impact. He also leads World Vision’s functions of Global Accountability and Partnering for Ministry, and as a part of new Business Innovation Lars is responsible for anticipating emerging trends, initiating innovative and strategic measures and product development that better prepare the WVI Partnership for the future.

Greening Fleets at the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Cresence Societies
Phil Jones
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Fleet Safety: ISO 39001 Standard Contributing to Organisational Excellence
Joost vandenBerghe
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Joost vandenBerghe is Operations Manager for DNV in Belgium

Fleet Managemente Issues in Smaller Organisations
Alvaro Villanueva
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Alvaro Villanueva joined Merlin in January 2010 as Head of Logistics after working in several Logistics positions for MSF-Spain and other NGOs. He has worked in the humanitarian sector for the past 7 years. Originally trained as an Industrial Engineer, Alvaro has a Masters in Humanitarian Assistance from the University of Deusto and previous work experience as a process engineer.

Fleet Management in the Humanitarian Sector
Alfonso Pedraza Martinez
INSEAD

System Dynamics in Humanitarian Fleet Management
Maria Besiou

Since October 2009 Maria Besiou has worked as a research fellow at the INSEAD Social Innovation Centre, while conducting her post-doctoral research. For her research she uses system dynamics to study a) the fleet management in the humanitarian supply chains in order to help the humanitarian organizations develop more efficient fleet and the private companies to make more efficient donations, b) the role of donations, preparedness and training for the efficiency of humanitarian supply chains, c) the partnerships between NGOs and private companies, d) the impact of the environmental legislation on the sustainability of closed-loop supply chains and e) the impact of media on the firms' decisions.

Fair Process in Humanitarian Fleet Management
Ludo Van der Heyden
Ludo Van der Heyden has been Professor of Technology Management at INSEAD since 1988. He currently holds the Solvay Chair in Technological Innovation. He is actively contributing to the MBA, Executive and PhD Programmes, and is currently directing INSEAD's Governance Initiative. He has earned several Outstanding MBA Core Teacher Awards, as well as an Outstanding Service Award in Executive Education.

Zero Emissions Mobility
Pauline Kee 
Pauline Kee is Manager of Nissan's Zero Emission Business Unit.  Pauline is responsible for the global coordination of the Nissan Connection Program, a unique partnership outreach program to promote zero emission mobility on a global scale.

Partnerships Leading to Successful Projects - HumaNav
Rob McConnell

 

 

Networking

As always, a key element of the Fleet Forum’s Annual Conference is the networking opportunities it offers for those attending.  A unique opportunity, the networking activities provided an alternative way for Forum participants to get to know one another, share information and get connected to others in the community. A perfect way to conclude very busy conference days.