Ethical Humanitarianisms
Examining ethical quandaries in humanitarian work across Africa
About the Project
This project addresses the ethical quandaries that underpin humanitarian work in Africa, asking how to build more ethical humanitarian interventions in a world of conflicting ethics. It interrogates the irony and contradiction of humanitarianism worried about its own ethics.
The project takes its cue from contemporary ethical dilemmas confronting humanitarian work worldwide, with a particular focus on the African continent where the enterprise of solidarity and generosity has seen a boom over the past years. It critically examines shifts in the fundamental principles that underpin humanitarian work – justice, beneficence, non-maleficence, and autonomy.
What new moral, ethical and legal challenges confront the business of saving lives and preserving human dignity? What new ideas and notions of personhood and dignity underpin conceptions of universal values? What compromises are being made and what is being compromised?
We approach humanitarianism more broadly as a notion that incorporates diverse acts of kindness towards humans. These acts of kindness are local and transnational, external and internal, in kind, cash, technical support, advice, amongst others that activate care and caring relationships.
Key Questions We Explore
What is philanthropy and what defines humanitarian work?
Who gets to define what constitutes humanitarian work?
What are the ethical backgrounds of these classifications?
How to account for acts of kindness not included in 'formal' humanitarian projects?
How can we decolonise conceptions of humanitarianism?
What ontological assumptions underpin different imaginaries of humanitarianism?
Monthly Panel Sessions
The HUMA-FIFE discussion series brings together scholars, policy makers and various actors in the humanitarian sector.
Ethical Humanitarianisms: Values, canons, and ethical considerations
Panelists:
- Carl Manlan – COO of the Ecobank Foundation, Togo
- Lucy Koechlin – Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, Dumou Dilly Foundation, Switzerland
- Kathryn Toure – Regional Director Eastern and Southern Africa, IDRC, Kenya
Ethical Humanitarianisms: kindness, generosity and compromises
Panelists:
- Mahendra Shunmoogam – Director: Policy Implementation, Dept. of Trade, Industry & Competition, South Africa
- Jess Auerbach – Senior Lecturer, Social Anthropology, North West University, South Africa
Ethical Humanitarianisms: Power, AID and Dignity
Panelists:
- Olumide Abimbola – Executive Director, Africa Policy Research Institute, Germany
- Merlin Ince – Resource Mobilization Consultant, WHO PMNCH, Geneva
Ethical Humanitarianisms: Development Cooperation and Borders
Panelists:
- Treasa Galvin – Senior Lecturer, Dept. of Sociology, University of Botswana
- Elisio Macamo – Ass. Professor of African Studies, University of Basel, Switzerland
Ethical Humanitarianisms: Research financing and knowledge production
Panelists:
- Iina Soiri – Education and Science Counselor, Embassy of Finland, South Africa
- Ebrima Sall – Executive Director of Trust Africa, Senegal
A Collaborative Partnership
This project is conceptualised within the framework of a collaboration between HUMA – Institute for Humanities in Africa in South Africa and Friedensau Institute for Evaluation (FIFE) in Germany.
The research programme involves scholars, policy makers and various actors and stakeholders in the humanitarian sector through monthly round table discussions, workshops, and podcast/video cast series.