Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Symposia

From 1998 until 2009, the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation sponsored an annual Humanitarian Symposium in conjunction with the presentation of the Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize. These conferences, attended by humanitarian and human-rights decision makers, were structured as open dialogue forums between panelists and participants.

Symposium 2009Philanthropy Redefined in an Era of Change

September 21, 2009 – Washington, D.C. The eleventh Hilton Humanitarian Symposium focused on making philanthropy both effective and efficient at a time of great need and reduced resources.

Symposium 2008Reaching the Bottom Billion: Is There a Tipping Point?

October 20, 2008 – Geneva, Switzerland. The tenth Hilton Humanitarian Symposium addressed issues faced by the world's poorest people, the bottom billion.

Symposium 2007The Changing Face of Philanthropy: Evolution or Revolution?

September 12, 2007 – New York City. Speakers at the ninth Humanitarian Symposium reflected on the changing face of philanthropy; whether it is the result of evolution or revolution; and where it is taking humanitarian activity.

Symposium 2006Democracy and Development: Political, Economic, and Human Rights

October 30, 2006 – New York City. The eighth Hilton Humanitarian Symposium reflected on the connections between democracy and development, especially in the areas of political, economic, and human rights.

Symposium 2005Vulnerable Populations: International Community Responsibilities

October 31, 2005 – Geneva, Switzerland. The seventh Humanitarian Symposium considered the international community’s responsibility towards vulnerable populations—those threatened by extreme poverty, disease, violence, war and conflict, discrimination and oppression—and the role of the Millennium Development Goals in delivering a future to them.

Symposium 2004Health, Development, and Conflict: Lessons Learned

October 28, 2004 – New York City. The sixth Hilton Humanitarian Symposium speakers reflected on the experiences of the past few decades of humanitarian crises and interventions to identify the lessons learned in order to better prepare for future challenges.

Symposium 2003Humanitarian Intervention Today: New Issues, New Ideas, New Players

September 24, 2003 – New York City. The fifth Hilton Humanitarian Symposium explored the changing and challenging circumstances that are transforming the landscape of humanitarian interventions in the 21st century.

Symposium 2002Social Justice: Bridging the Global Gap Between Rich and Poor

October 14, 2002 – New York City. Speakers at the Hilton Humanitarian Symposium explored ways that humanitarian efforts and the political and economic policies behind them can help people benefit from globalization and serve to narrow the gap between rich and poor.

Symposium 2000From Conflict to: Peace, Justice, and Reconciliation

October 20, 2000 – Geneva, Switzerland. The Hilton Humanitarian Symposium examined solutions that will lead to lasting peace, justice, and reconciliation in countries of conflict.

Symposium 1999Humanitarian Crises...Preventive Measures Through Human Rights

September 28, 1999 – New York City. The Hilton Humanitarian Symposium discussed the links between human rights issues and humanitarian responses and provided a forum where participants could examine and challenge the traditional tendency to view human rights and humanitarianism separately.

Symposium 1998Humanitarian Aid Challenges in the New Millennium

September 29, 1998 – New York City. The 1998 Humanitarian Symposium examined the challenges facing humanitarian aid and the difficulties and dangers posed to those who would respond to humanitarian crises in the post-Cold War era.