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Between 14 and 18 September, the Welcome Week for the second intake of the Erasmus Mundus Human Response – Joint Master’s in Coordinated Humanitarian Response, Health and Displacement took place, marking the start of another cycle of international training dedicated to humanitarian response, health and forced displacement.
Co-ordinated by Iscte – Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, this joint master’s programme is the result of an international partnership comprising the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Norway, Makerere University (MAK) in Uganda, the University of Cape Verde (UniCV) and the University of Santiago (USant), in Cape Verde, the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) in Greece, and Rovuma University (UniRovuma) in Mozambique.
OPENING SESSION BRINGS TOGETHER INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS AND SECTOR EXPERTS
The official opening ceremony took place on 16 September 2026 at Iscte, marking the arrival of 27 students from 24 countries, representing Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and South America.
The ceremony was chaired by Iscte’s Vice-Rector for Internationalisation and University Expansion, Professor Ricardo Paes Mamede, and counted on the testimony by the Acting Representative of the European Commission in Portugal and Director for Communication and Media, Dr. Vítor Nogueira, and with the insightful contribution from the Director of the Division for Humanitarian Action, Civil Society and Citizenship at Camões, I.P., Dr. Sérgio Guimarães.
The programme was presented by the academic coordinators, Professors Cláudia Pereira and Raquel Matias, who highlighted the programme’s objectives, curriculum structure and international dimension. The session also featured contributions from representatives of the consortium’s partner institutions, as well as institutional background remarks from the Director of the School of Sociology and Public Policy, Professor Maria João Vaz; the Director of the Department of Sociology, Professor Rita Espanha and the Director of the Master’s in Humanitarian Action, Professor Ana Lúcia Martins.
Also present were representatives from Iscte’s departments and services, lecturers, researchers and members of the academic community.
One of the most inspiring moments of the session was provided by students from the programme’s first intake, who shared their academic and professional experiences. These students are currently at Makerere University in Uganda, where they are in their third semester of the course. Dr Alejandra Ortiz, Director of Iscte’s International Relations Service, delivered the closing remarks for the session.
WELCOME WEEK PROMOTES INTEGRATION AND CONTACT WITH INTERNATIONAL EXPERTS
Throughout the welcome week, students had the opportunity to gain a detailed understanding of the programme’s academic structure and to engage with recognised experts in the fields of humanitarian action, global health and forced migration.
The programme included round-table discussions, workshops and thematic sessions featuring experts and academics, including Ana Laura Santos, Ana Teresa Afonso, Annelien Groten, Brita Fladvad Nielsen, Clara Carvalho, Cláudia Pereira, Dora Rebelo, Jennifer Infanti, Júlio Pedro, Mali Uzelgun, Marjan Jalali, Nardi Sousa, Paulo Pedroso, Raquel Matias, Resty Naiga, Susana Santos, Thalia Dragonas and Vera Alfama.
The induction of the new students was also supported by the Iscte Students’ Association, through its President, Isabel Fonseca, and Vice-Presidents, João Pedro Sousa and Tiago Ferreira, who presented the main support structures for academic and student life.
Another highlight of the week was the study visit to the Portuguese Council for Refugees (CPR), an associate partner of the programme, which gave the students first-hand insight into best practices and experiences in the reception and integration of refugees.
Welcome Week concluded with introductions from the students on the new intake and inspiring talks by Professors Resty Naiga and Thalia Dragonas, reinforcing the values of cooperation, commitment and responsibility that characterise the programme.
TRAINING PROFESSIONALS TO TACKLE GLOBAL HUMANITARIAN CHALLENGES
The Erasmus Mundus Human Response programme was designed to address the growing need for qualified professionals capable of working in complex humanitarian contexts, marked by armed conflicts, forced displacement, health crises and disasters caused by climate change.
Based on a multidisciplinary and international approach, the programme brings together institutions
European and African institutions on a teaching and research platform dedicated to training professionals equipped to tackle contemporary humanitarian challenges.
Its main objectives include:
• To offer a specialised, multidisciplinary postgraduate programme, corresponding to Level 7 of the European Qualifications Framework, lasting two years and awarding 120 ECTS credits;
• To strengthen international cooperation and North-South collaboration between universities, organisations and other stakeholders in the humanitarian sector;
• To promote local leadership and the integration of academic knowledge with practical experience in humanitarian intervention contexts;
• To develop the technical, strategic and operational skills essential for crisis management and the coordination of humanitarian responses.
The second intake of the programme brings together a highly international cohort, comprising recent graduates and experienced professionals from different fields and geographical backgrounds. Following the first semester in Lisbon, students will continue their academic studies in Norway and Uganda.
The programme also includes participation in a Summer School in Greece, scheduled for June 2027, followed by the completion of a dissertation, which may involve fieldwork with one of the 23 partner organisations located in different regions of the world.
A PROGRAMME FUNDED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION
Erasmus Mundus Human Response is funded by the European Union’s Erasmus+ Programme and is a leading initiative in advanced training in humanitarian action.
By bringing together students, researchers, professionals and experts from different countries and fields of work, the programme promotes knowledge-building, international cooperation and the development of a new generation of professionals prepared to respond to global humanitarian challenges.
Iscte and the other partner institutions remain committed to ensuring the successful implementation of this academic programme of excellence, thereby contributing to the strengthening of humanitarian response capacities on a global scale.
