Protection Leadership
Protection Leadership is a podcast hosted by Panos Moumtzis, Executive Director of the Global Executive Leadership Initiative (GELI). Through conversations with leaders from the UN, NGOs, donors, and local partners, the series explores how to lead on protection in practice, advocating in sensitive contexts, influencing decision-makers, empowering teams, and staying principled under pressure. Practical insights and real-world stories put protection at the center of humanitarian action.
Episodes
Navigating Crisis, Complexity, and Courage in Myanmar - with Gwyn Lewis
“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 Mou
Advocating For Afghan Women in Humanitarian Crisis - with Indrika Ratwatte
“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 Hum
Centering Refugee Voices: The Fragility and Power of Protection
"Do not speak on my behalf. Let me be there and tell you how protection looks like..." - Ana Maria Diez What would protection in humanitarian work truly look like if leaders prioritized the voices and lived experiences of displaced people? In today's conversation, Ana María Diez—lawyer, refugee, and president of Coalición por Venezuela—joins host Panos Moumtzis to discuss the meaning and
Change Her Story, Change the World: Turning Pain Into Purpose – with Taban Shoresh
“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
Reviving Accountability in International Humanitarian Law: A Conversation with Jeremy Konyndyk
“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 col
Putting Statelessness on the Map with Aleksejs Ivashuk
“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,
Speaking Truth to Power: Jan Egeland on Courage and Protection Leadership
“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. Wi
Leading With a People-First Mindset - with Louise Aubin
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 specia
Protection leadership in a changing world — with Ruven Menikdiwela
What does it really mean to lead on protection during today’s humanitarian crises?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 p
Trailer - Protection Leadership
Protection Leadership is a podcast hosted by Panos Moumtzis, Executive Director of the Global Executive Leadership Initiative (GELI). Through conversations with leaders from the UN, NGOs, donors, and local partners, the series explores how to lead on protection in practice, advocating in sensitive contexts, influencing decision-makers, empowering teams, and staying principled under pressure. Pract
