Jan Egeland on Syria's Defining Moment and a Humanitarian Reset
As the UNGA prepares to open its 80th session, one of the world’s top humanitarian leaders explains where the global aid system is failing—and how we fix it.
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Tareq Mnadili / NRC
About the Episode
Syria’s war may have faded from the headlines, but for millions of refugees, the crisis is far from over. Jan Egeland, head of the Norwegian Refugee Council, explains why global aid is failing and what the world must do now to fix it. From Gaza to Syria, he shares how to reset a broken system and rebuild hope as the UN turns 80.
About the Speakers
Jan Egeland
Jan Egeland has been the Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council since August 2013, a role which oversees the work of the humanitarian organisation in both new and protracted crises across 40 countries.
President & Chief Executive Officer, Chicago Council on Global Affairs
Dr. Leslie Vinjamuri joined the Council in 2025 as the president and chief executive officer, after previously serving as director of the US and the Americas program at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, known as Chatham House, in London. She brings more than 20 years of experience working at the intersection of international affairs, research, policy, and public engagement.