How could the development of a common conceptual framework improve humanitarian action? Dr Edith Favoreu DIHAD 12th Edition- 2015
AT THE HEART OF HUMANITARIAN ACTION: PEOPLE INTERACTION In this process, communication is key: what happen if we don’t understand each others? Affected communities Organisations playing a role un humanutarian response Humanitarian actors INTERACTON ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
Neutrality In order to continue to enjoy the confidence of all, the Red Cross may not take sides in hostilities or engage at any time in controversies of a political, racial, religious or ideological nature. ICRC Humanitarian actors must not take sides in hostilities or engage in Controversies of a political, racial, religious or ideological nature. OCHA Neutrality Impartiality Humanity Independence Could this lead to different Interpretations? AS AN EXAMPLE: NEUTRALITY
Neutrality Impartiality Humanity Independence Neutrality = not having the ability to advocate for the protection of civilians. Neutrality= allows advocacy because advocating a party to a conflict not to do harm civilians is not taking sides except that of civilians. Neutrality = not having the ability to advocate for the protection of civilians. Neutrality= allows advocacy because advocating a party to a conflict not to do harm civilians is not taking sides except that of civilians. «misunderstanding of the concept of neutrality” « neutrality requires definition» «misunderstanding of the concept of neutrality” « neutrality requires definition» AS AN EXAMPLE:
Choice of messages A lack of governance/scientific body A lack of a comprehensive international, universal and inclusive approach to humanitarian action A tendency to disconnect theory from practice Impact on operations: contradictions- Lessons identified-acknowledged but not learned WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?
Choice of messages To address this gap: Encyclopaedia of Humanitarian Action - Research Project 28 documents identified for the humanitarian and development sector in English and French 12 glossaries, 10 dictionaries, 3 lexicons, 1 encyclopaedia, 1 guide and 1 handbook No cultural, historical, scientific, comparative perspectives WHAT EXITS TODAY?
Choice of messages Overall goal Contribute to improving current and future quality of humanitarian policies, strategies and operational responses Specific objective Conceptualize humanitarianism and the main terms used in the humanitarian sector focusing on current and future issues grounded in operational reality The encyclopaedia will clarify main concepts, using an analytical and inclusive reflection while refraining from dogmatism or a normative approach. Overall goal Contribute to improving current and future quality of humanitarian policies, strategies and operational responses Specific objective Conceptualize humanitarianism and the main terms used in the humanitarian sector focusing on current and future issues grounded in operational reality The encyclopaedia will clarify main concepts, using an analytical and inclusive reflection while refraining from dogmatism or a normative approach. HOW TO ADRESS THIS GAP? Encyclopedia of Humanitarian Action NOTE the similarities and diversities and… build on them! NOTE the similarities and diversities and… build on them!
Choice of messages HOW CAN WE DO THAT? CONCEPTS PAIRS OF CONCEPTS CASE STUDY PAIRS OF CONCEPTS CASE STUDY
Choice of messages HOW WILL WE DO THAT? Original meaning of the concept and how it is used within the humanitarian sector History of the concept in the humanitarian sector and how it has been used by various actors Different or common meanings of the concept from various cultural perspectives and analysis of the cultural implications State of the art of the past and current use Analysis of current and future operational issues Illustration of the (divergent) use at operational level List of references Original meaning of the concept and how it is used within the humanitarian sector History of the concept in the humanitarian sector and how it has been used by various actors Different or common meanings of the concept from various cultural perspectives and analysis of the cultural implications State of the art of the past and current use Analysis of current and future operational issues Illustration of the (divergent) use at operational level List of references CONCEPTS
Choice of messages Encyclopedia of Humanitarian Action - Research Project Example Participation The involvement of crisis-affected people in one or more phases of a humanitarian project or programme: assessment, design, implementation, monitoring or evaluation. Participation Handbook for Humanitarian field workers - ALNAP & Groupe URD, 2009 Culturally Operationnally Organisationally
Choice of messages HOW WILL WE DO THAT? Step 1: Analysis of challenges/issues Step 2: Case studies in two different operational contexts (e.g. South Sudan and Haïti) with several stakeholders Analyse how the definition of each concept is applied in each context and/or by different stakeholders in the same context Examine the operationalization of the concepts and potential challenges and dilemmas Describe the perception of the tension resulting from the interconnection and/or articulation of concept pairs Identify potential lessons learned in attempting to surpass these tensions Step 3: Comparative analysis Step 1: Analysis of challenges/issues Step 2: Case studies in two different operational contexts (e.g. South Sudan and Haïti) with several stakeholders Analyse how the definition of each concept is applied in each context and/or by different stakeholders in the same context Examine the operationalization of the concepts and potential challenges and dilemmas Describe the perception of the tension resulting from the interconnection and/or articulation of concept pairs Identify potential lessons learned in attempting to surpass these tensions Step 3: Comparative analysis CONCEPT PAIRS CASE STUDY CONCEPT PAIRS CASE STUDY CONCEPT PAIRS CASE STUDY CONCEPT PAIRS CASE STUDY CONCEPTS
Choice of messages HOW WILL WE DO THAT? CONCEPT PAIR CASE STUDY EXAMPLES CONCEPT PAIR CASE STUDY EXAMPLES TENSIONS Social exclusion and sustainability Programme efficiency and sustainability Participation and neutrality TENSIONS Social exclusion and sustainability Programme efficiency and sustainability Participation and neutrality COMPLEMENTARITY Social exclusion and vulnerability Partnership and Hand-over Accountability and participation COMPLEMENTARITY Social exclusion and vulnerability Partnership and Hand-over Accountability and participation
RELEVANCE TO… The process of this research project is at least as important as its final results. It aims to improve the QUALITY of the response for and with the affected populations The process of this research project is at least as important as its final results. It aims to improve the QUALITY of the response for and with the affected populations
RELEVANCE TO HUMANITARIAN ACTORS and ACTORS INVOLVED IN HUMANITARIAN ACTION The process of this research project is at least as important as its final results. It aims to improve the QUALITY of the response for and with the affected populations The process of this research project is at least as important as its final results. It aims to improve the QUALITY of the response for and with the affected populations Fostering self-critical analyses Impact on strategies, policies and programmes Review of policies, strategies, programmes/projects, and other activities Capitalisation of experiences and analysis of lessons learned Sharing between organisations of best and worst practices
RELEVANCE TO ACADEMICS AND PRACTITIONERS A milestone in the scholarship of contemporary humanitarian action. Developing an analytical framework based on a comparative approach Providing empirical evidence by analysing how these concepts can be operationalized Producing generalizable insights for evidence-based decision and policy making. Lay grounds for the emerging discipline “Humanitarian Studies”. The process of this research project is at least as important as its final results. It aims to improve the QUALITY of the response for and with the affected populations The process of this research project is at least as important as its final results. It aims to improve the QUALITY of the response for and with the affected populations
RELEVANCE TO THE HUMANITARIAN SECTOR Contribute to on-going reflection in the sector Contribute to the 2016 World Humanitarian Summit and particularly its follow up The process of this research project is at least as important as its final results. It aims to improve the QUALITY of the response for and with the affected populations The process of this research project is at least as important as its final results. It aims to improve the QUALITY of the response for and with the affected populations
Thank You!