NOHA is the first network of universities at the European level dealing with the development of humanitarian action education. It seeks greater professionalism and quality of service among humanitarian action personnel through the provision of solid intellectual grounding and the development of sound concepts and principles that lead to "good practice". It also contributes to greater awareness of humanitarian issues among the broader public and policy makers.

In terms of structure, the network combines:

• A truly egalitarian decentralised system enabling each university to institutionalise the programme as its own, with support at the highest level; and

• A unity of purpose, a mission, a professional profile, and jointly created academic structures, making the programme truly European.

In 2001, the NOHA International Association was constituted under Belgian law. This is a European association of universities jointly offering education, training, and research in humanitarian action. The Association Statutes and Network Charter call for joint decision-making, common procedures, and governing bodies the most important of which are: BOARD  OF DIRECTORS: The NOHA Board of Directors is NOHA’s highest decision-making body and, as such, assumes overall responsibility for each and all NOHA decisions and actions.  NOHA FACULTY, presently composed of 42 professors and lecturers from the participating universities. The Faculty responds to research needs of the humanitarian community and maximises the strengths and expertise of participating institutions through an array of teaching and research activities Working together with the NOHA Faculty to contribute to the advancement of scholarship and quality education in humanitarian action are: - More than 150 core teachers in over 10 disciplines related to humanitarian action; and - Other organisations providing strong inter-institutional support and co-operation NOHA ACADEMIC STANDARDS COMMITTEE AND THE PROGRAMME EVALUATION COMMITTEE, responsible for constant monitoring of the programme quality, professional profile, response capability, and continuous curriculum development; and NOHA SECRETARIAT, responsible for central co-ordination and management of the joint activities of the Network.

The firm commitment of NOHA Universities is also enhanced by a hundred European faculties and departments dealing with issues related humanitarian action. Together they form the Thematic Network of Humanitarian Development Studies, HumanitarianNet, of which NOHA is the starting point and a core component.

In addition to the seven core universities with full membership status, NOHA has also associate universities that take part in its various activities. As of 2006, the following universities had become associate members:  Università Degli Studi di Pavia (Italy),  Universidade de Brasilia (Brazil), and Columbia University (United States).

The number of associate universities and partner universities will increase over years within the framework of the NOHA enlargement policy and under the NOHA Erasmus Mundus Partnerships initiated in 2005.

Vilnius University, Lithuania. 2005

Vilnius University, Lithuania. 2005