The presentation was divided into what humanitarianism is today, lessons learnt from Afghanistan (and built on experience in other crises such as Sudan, Sri Lanka and Somalia) with perhaps the chance to contemplate its lessons for Nepal). And, concluded with his thoughts on what and where humanitarianism may be in the future.
Donini, who has published widely on evaluation, humanitarian and UN reform issues, served in the UN for 26 years prior to joining the FIC. His last position with the UN was as the Director of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Afghanistan (1999-2002). It is with this experience and subsequent work on humanitarianism and the future of humanitarianism action (his area of focus at FIC) that he addressed the gathering.
Donini described how the humanitarian world transformed from one focused on charity and social change, with minimal power and in the periphery, to a full-fledged "enterprise" composed of some 250,000 individuals around the world employed in this field. Such a massive manpower presence coupled with the sector´s fiscal value, US$ 18 billion annually, provides the economic leverage that quickly pumps political muscle.
His unique understanding and foresight on the humanitarian world is timely. A conversation of this nature is worthwhile in today´s Nepal. Donini has been researching Nepal´s conflict and post-conflict with anthropologist, Jeevan Sharma (also a researcher at FIC) since 2007.
In today´s transitional stage where a plethora of questions are being asked and situations assessed, it is worth our time to consider if humanitarianism is indeed losing its identity. And if it has, to ponder, will it be able to save itself? Donini´s analysis is helpful for the Nepali people to gauge the role and position of ´humanitarianism,´ a dominating figure in Nepal´s development, crises management and peace process. For it to be a productive venture, an unbiased assessment is crucial to purposefully contemplate the topic.
Drawing from his work in Afghanistan Donini spoke of how the humanitarian world no longer maintains the neutrality so important to its work (with ICRC being the exception). As an individual dedicated to supporting people in crises, his concerns are valid. Here he traces three mega trends, where a) Humanitarian aid is up, humanitarianism is down, b) Universalism is down, sovereignty/nationalism is up and, c) Conflict is down, "natural" disasters are up.
"Humanitarian aid is up and humanitarianism is down" as politics and humanitarian action further link arms and the former becomes more and more a part of the latter.
"Universalism is down, sovereignty (nationalism) is up" as new active players emerge from China, India and alike challenge the western universalism with a universal universalism - humanitarianism with its western universal tone today will have to become more sensitive to the perception of others.
"Conflict is down, natural disasters are up" as natural disasters (take for instance, climate change) precedes political conflict, or as natural disasters compound with political conflict. The traditional northern model for and of response will be challenged by the south in its inadequacy to tackle the new type and form of vulnerabilities.
In short, humanitarianism, in Donini´s perception, has perhaps inappropriately "crossed the threshold of power". So, the question remains, is it ready to respond to the new order and the new challenges?
Social Science Baha regularly hosts presentations on social, political and cultural themes that remain open to the public. Future lectures from the series and Donini´s presentation will shortly be available at, www.soscbaha.org.
(The writer is a student at the Nepa School of Social Sciences and Humanities.)
Related story
Future
