Protection Leadership
Claim This Podcastby Global Executive Leadership Initiative
Podcast Overview
<p><b>Protection Leadership</b> 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.</p><div><article tabindex="-1" dir="auto"><div tabindex="-1"><div></div><div><div></div></div></div></article></div><div aria-hidden="true"></div><p><br></p><ul><li>Contact Us: <a href="https://geli.org/contact-us" target="_blank">https://geli.org/contact-us</a> </li><li>Funded by the European Union Humanitarian Aid</li><li><a href="https://saspod.com" target="_blank">Produced by Saspod</a></li></ul>
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
1/9/2026
2 verified contact emails on file for Protection Leadership
Pitch yourself as a guest, propose sponsorships, or reach out directly to the host.
Recent Episodes
May 11, 2026
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 Moumtzis speaks with Gwyn Lewis about leading humanitarian efforts in one of the world’s most complex crises. Drawing on her experience in Myanmar and earlier work in Palestine and Bangladesh, Gwyn emphasizes that protection is not just about delivering aid, but about safeguarding dignity, rights, and access. Gwyn reflects on the realities of Myanmar, where widespread conflict, displacement, and fragmented control create immense operational and ethical challenges. The conversation explores how humanitarian leaders balance access with principles, navigate political sensitivities, and make difficult decisions amid severe funding cuts. The conversation highlights the importance of collective leadership, localization, and trust-building with all stakeholders, including affected communities and conflict actors. Gwyn also underscores the emotional toll on teams and the need for empathy and shared responsibility. Ultimately, this episode reinforces that protection must remain the guiding framework for prioritization, even in resource-constrained environments, and that hope is sustained through the resilience and agency of affected communities. Key takeaways Protection as the Core of Humanitarian Action Protection is about ensuring rights, dignity, and safety, not just delivering aid. Centering protection leads to more sustainable and meaningful outcomes. Negotiating Access in Complex Conflict Settings Humanitarian leaders must engage with all parties to a conflict, balancing neutrality with advocacy to reach vulnerable populations. Collective Leadership and Localization Matter Effective responses depend on collaboration across UN agencies, NGOs, and especially local actors who bring critical contextual knowledge and leadership. Difficult Trade-offs in Resource-Constrained Environments Funding cuts force painful prioritization decisions, often requiring leaders to choose between essential services while managing increased protection risks. Hope Driven by Community Resilience Despite prolonged crises, the resilience and initiative of affected communities remain a key source of motivation and hope for humanitarian leaders. Timestamps (03:19) Protection in Palestine (05:05) First impressions of Myanmar (06:39) Displacement complexities (10:44) Intervention examples (14:43) Access vs principles (20:24) Localization of national NGOs (23:29) Rohingya response in Bangladesh (26:50) Maintaining neutrality (31:06) Strategies in sensitive environments (33:28) How do you keep protection a priority? (35:27) Advice from Gwyn Lewis Guest bio: Gwyn Lewis Gwyn Lewis is the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Myanmar, responsible for coordinating UN activities in the country. Gwyn recognizes that the three global pillars of the UN, development, peace and security, and human rights, are interlinked and mutually reinforcing. Gwyn brings over 25 years of experience in international development, peacebuilding, and humanitarian affairs. Earlier in her career, Ms. Lewis worked with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), where she managed the Global Clusters Coordination section within the organization’s Emergency Division. Discover More about Gwyn
April 27, 2026
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 Humanitarian Coordinator for Afghanistan, to discuss one of the world’s most complex protection environments. Afghanistan faces overlapping crises: millions in need of humanitarian aid, large-scale returns of Afghans, natural disasters, climate shocks, and sweeping restrictions disproportionately impacting women and girls. Indrika Ratwatte provides an insider’s perspective on balancing principled advocacy with programmatic delivery, navigating dialogue with de facto authorities, and championing the rights and dignity of all Afghans amid acute challenges. The discussion highlights innovative approaches to bridging humanitarian and development work, the importance of empowering Afghan civil society (especially women-led organizations), and the need to keep compassion, engagement, and evidence-based action at the heart of protection leadership. Afghanistan is at a crossroads. Will the world step up, or turn away? Key Takeaways Bridging Humanitarian & Development Efforts Indrika Ratwatte stresses the importance of connecting life-saving humanitarian action with long-term development to help communities transition from fragility to stability, despite funding shortfalls and operational constraints. Advocacy Backed by Evidence Real change requires ongoing, fact-based dialogue, not one-way communication. Advocacy with the de facto authorities is creating space for critical sectors such as women’s health, education, and economic empowerment. Empowering Local Actors The path forward hinges on localization. Indrika Ratwatte highlights how investing in national NGOs, especially Afghan women-led organizations, ensures that assistance is sustainable and truly meets community needs. Timestamps (02:46) Protection risks in Afghanistan (05:54) Challenges for women in Afghanistan (08:49) Advocating for Afghan women's rights (16:42) Innovative approaches (21:45) Development actors (25:48) Working with DFAs (32:03) Empowering Afghan national women (34:55) Indrika’s message of hope Guest bio: Indrika Rattwatte Indrika Ratwatte brings over 30 years of experience in humanitarian affairs and protection in complex and crisis settings, including over 14 years of working on Afghanistan and regional issues. He began his career with the United Nations in 1992 at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), and later joined the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in 1993. His most recent positions have included Director of the UNHCR Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific, where he previously also served as Deputy and UNHCR Representative in Pakistan. He served with UNHCR as Deputy Representative in the United Republic of Tanzania and Pakistan, along with prior assignments in Thailand, Croatia, China, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Discover More about Indrika
April 13, 2026
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 challenges of protection for displaced people. Drawing from her own harrowing experiences in Venezuela and her journey into advocacy, Ana María Diez reflects on what true protection, courage, and participation mean for refugees and humanitarian work today. The dialogue delves into humanitarian failures, the fragility of protection, the need for innovation, and why genuine participation and inclusion of refugees in decision-making are non-negotiable. Key Takeaways Protection is Foundational All discussions around solutions for displaced people must begin with protection—it is the cornerstone of dignity and rights. Lived Experience Shapes Leadership Firsthand experience of displacement brings an irreplaceable perspective to advocacy and solution-building. Courage is present in every person with lived experience. Drawing on these personal reserves can lead to greater strength and more effective advocacy. Fragility of Systems Humanitarian systems and protections are much more vulnerable than they appear; a crisis or funding cut can instantly erase hard-won gains. Meaningful Participation Including refugees and displaced persons in decision-making is not optional; it is a right and vital to finding sustainable solutions. Addressing risks and building solutions demands collaboration, openness, innovation, and a recommitment to bringing human faces back to policymaking and grantmaking. Timestamps (00:00) Ana María Diez shares her personal experience as a protection officer and survivor of kidnapping in Venezuela. (03:13) Protection as the foundation for all humanitarian efforts, especially integration. (05:10) Fleeing Venezuela: Ana María’s personal journey to Spain for safety. (08:58) Ana María Diez on the so-called "humanitarian reset" as a failure of protection. (10:17) The right to participation for refugees and forcibly displaced persons. (12:53) Reflections on courage and advice for advocates facing protection challenges. (15:48) Ana María’s vision for a free Venezuela. (18:57) Shifting from exclusion to meaningful participation within the Quito Process. (22:10) The risks of humanitarian withdrawal and the ongoing needs of grassroots organizations. (27:01) Innovations in humanitarian work: localization, leveraging preexisting capacities, and inclusion. (29:49) Non-negotiables in protection: always center the voices and experiences of those affected. Guest Bio: Ana María Diez Ana María Diez is a Venezuelan lawyer, refugee, and tireless advocate for the rights of displaced people. She is co-founder and president of Coalición por Venezuela, the largest network of Venezuelan civil society organizations, working across 23 countries to respond to migration and displacement crises. A former humanitarian protection officer, Ana María Diez, brings the lived experience of forced displacement to her leadership in legislative advocacy and global forums, including her participation in advisory bodies to UNHCR. Discover more about Ana María Diez Coalición por Venezuela
10 total episodes available
Deep-dive analytics for Protection Leadership
Frequently asked questions
Have a different question and can't find the answer you're looking for? Reach out to our support team by sending us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
- What is Protection Leadership?
<p><b>Protection Leadership</b> 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.</p><div><article tabindex="-1" dir="auto"><div tabindex="-1"><div></div><div><div></div></div></div></article></div><div aria-hidden="true"></div><p><br></p><ul><li>Contact Us: <a href="https://geli.org/contact-us" target="_blank">https://geli.org/contact-us</a> </li><li>Funded by the European Union Humanitarian Aid</li><li><a href="https://saspod.com" target="_blank">Produced by Saspod</a></li></ul> - How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
Legal Disclaimer
Pod Engine is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected with any of the podcasts displayed on this platform. We operate independently as a podcast discovery and analytics service.
All podcast artwork, thumbnails, and content displayed on this page are the property of their respective owners and are protected by applicable copyright laws. This includes, but is not limited to, podcast cover art, episode artwork, show descriptions, episode titles, transcripts, audio snippets, and any other content originating from the podcast creators or their licensors.
We display this content under fair use principles and/or implied license for the purpose of podcast discovery, information, and commentary. We make no claim of ownership over any podcast content, artwork, or related materials shown on this platform. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners.
While we strive to ensure all content usage is properly authorized, if you are a rights holder and believe your content is being used inappropriately or without proper authorization, please contact us immediately at hey@podengine.ai for prompt review and appropriate action, which may include content removal or proper attribution.
By accessing and using this platform, you acknowledge and agree to respect all applicable copyright laws and intellectual property rights of content owners. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use of the content displayed on this platform is strictly prohibited.