MNHQ here: want to go along to an event about international disaster relief and find out about the work of the Disasters Emergency Committee?

[RowanMumsnet]

Mumsnet HQ has been approached by the Disasters Emergency Committee with an invitation to an event that gives insight into their work - and we thought one of you might fancy going along.

As you may know, the DEC is an umbrella organisation that steps in when there's a big international emergency. Recent examples include the earthquake in Nepal in April 2015, the typhoon in the Philippines in November 2013, and the emergence of ebola as a healthcare crisis in 2014.

The DEC runs big fund-raising drives across the UK media - you've probably seen their appeals on national TV as well as on Mumsnet - and coordinates emergency responses with big UK charities.

Unlike lots of other charities focused on global poverty and injustice, the DEC has a very specific remit to step in when there's an acute emerging crisis, often prompted by natural events like floods or earthquakes. Over the years it's built up an international reputation as one of the most effective emergency relief organisations in the world.

The event - which will be held in central London (SORRY!) on November 8 and November 9 (you'd only have to attend on one date) and will take about four hours - is designed to give an insight into the DEC's work. They say:

“Further to Mumsnet’s support of DEC appeals, and in order to feedback on how we spent your donations, we are inviting a small selection of our partners and supporters together to join us on a journey of a DEC appeal, using some real examples from the Philippines Typhoon Appeal."

"We are designing a journey that will enable you to speak with and, in some cases, play the role of some of our key decision-makers during the DEC appeal process. We hope this will provide you with more information on how your support and donations have made, and continue to make, a tangible difference to people in disaster-affected communities, particularly those in the Philippines now that we are almost three years on from the devastation wrought by Typhoon Haiyan in 2013."

"Following the immersive journey of about 30 minutes, there will be an opportunity for you to enjoy some warming food and drinks, and to meet with our chief executive, a few of our trustees and a number of aid workers from our humanitarian agencies.”

So if you fancy going along and representing Mumsnetters (many of whom donate generously to DEC appeals) - and ideally reporting back to us all to let us know what happened and what your thoughts are - please add your name to this thread and we'll take it from there.

And of course if you've got any questions please stick them up and we'll try to get some answers for you.

Thanks
MNHQ

[khaleesi71]

I'd love to attend this event and have an interest in global health affairs. It would be very interesting to listen and feedback to MN.

[Wigeon]

I've donated to several DEC appeals in the past. Is the event likely to be daytime or evening? I might be interested in attending.

It would be good to be clearer about exactly what the aim of the event is, as presumably it will cost DEC something to put on. Is it to myth-bust (e.g. Charities spend loads of money on admin, it all goes to their well paid Chief Execs and hardly any goes to the cause, charities working in the developing world are corrupt etc)? (I should say I don't personally believe any of that is true). Or to raise awareness of the work of DEC? Or something else? Or multiple aims?

[BathshebaDarkstone]

I'd love to come, is it during school hours?

[fatandold]

Definitely would like to attend. They do fantastic and interesting work.

[imip]

I'd be very interested in attending also - would be interested to know the timings of the event

[colouringinagain]

I'd love to go. Extremely interested in development and poverty issues. Also very good at summarising

[VanillaSugarandChristmasSpice]

I'd be interested to 9 November. More details please!

[redbook]

I would be interested in this, thanks.

[CoffeeWithMyOxygen]

Not sure if I'm eligible for this as although I'm a long time lurker this is my first post, but I'd love to attend. I've previously worked in disaster response myself and it's something I really want to build on career wise, so it would be great to have the chance to hear about what the DEC are doing.

[Ethelswith]

I'm very interested in this.

Can you send further details?

[wannabestressfree]

I would love to go and can do either date :)

[Imbroglio]

Yes, I would love to go.

[Pick me! Pick me!].

[PausingFlatly]

Won't be able to attend but would really appreciate if people who go can report back.

[RowanMumsnet]

Thanks all - we'll try to get some more details for you about exact timings.

[RowanMumsnet]

Hi again

There are four sessions to choose from:

11.30am - 1.30pm Tuesday 8th November
3-5pm Tuesday 8th November
6.30-8.30pm Tuesday 8th November
3-5pm Wednesday 9th November

The venue is central London (South Bank near Waterloo/Blackfriars Bridge)

And the DEC has said it's very happy to have up to four Mumsnetter reps - so please keep adding your names if you're interested and we'll draw some out of the hat early next week.

[Imbroglio]

I can make any except the Tuesday morning session.

[MeDownSouth]

Wow this sounds really interesting! I would love to attend but the cost of travelling to London for two hours would be too much and (hopefully) I'll have a 1 month old by then. Whoever goes please report back in detail! :D

[Wigeon]

I work near Waterloo and could do the 6.30pm slot on the 8th - sounds interesting and happy to report back as a past (and possibly future) DEC donor.

[Isthiscorrect]

I know he's not a mumsnetter but Ds is currently at uni in London on a course very closely related to this topic and would love to attend this and give the required feedback. Having said that I/he/we very much like to know how he could get a place at this event, acknowledging that mumsnet isn't the proper place for him 😂 Tia.

[imip]

The Tuesday daytime slot would be great!

[JustAnotherSod]

I would love to attend this - please include me in the draw of names for a place.

Many thanks!

[VanillaSugarandChristmasSpice]

Backtracking: I can only do the Tuesday morning session.

[funnyperson]

I would be very pleased and interested to go if chosen. Would prefer any of the Tuesday slots.

[hefzi]

In theory, I would have jumped at the opportunity, as this is my area- alas, I have very strong issues with one of the charities that is part of DEC, and don't support them as a result. I hope those who go, though, get a lot out of the process, and a new appreciation for the vital role that international developing aid plays in complex humanitarian emergencies.

[ILikeBigBumpsAndICannotLie]

I would love to be considered for this and would of course feedback. The Wednesday would work best for me if that's at all possible.