PHAP Special Event Series: Practical dilemmas of principled action
Markus Forsberg 28 August 2015
The upcoming World Humanitarian Summit has intensified discussion on the humanitarian principles. Opinions vary – with some seeing them as unrealistic, irrelevant ideals, while others believe that our most urgent need is a commitment to the practice of principled humanitarian action. What emerges from the disparate voices is a clear need for discussion of the principles grounded in the operational challenges confronting humanitarians today. The principles should be inspirational – but even more important is to comprehend their essential role in enabling effective aid.
In September and October 2015, PHAP is organizing a special series of live online discussions structured around the principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence. As part of the association’s support to the World Humanitarian Summit process, the focus of these events is less on theoretical definitions and more on the operational implications of these principles. The aim is not to “consult” directly on the principles, but rather to discuss – within the context of the principles – a series of problematic issues that have come under debate in the larger Summit consultation process.
Over the course of the series, we will first introduce these four principles together and then dedicate one session each for a deeper exploration of related operational questions. These two-hour events will include a brief expert presentation immediately followed by a panel discussion and participant consultation on practical issues that highlight the workings of the principle. Though separated for the purpose of this series, the interrelationships among the principles will crosscut the sessions.
Advanced learning session on humanitarian principles
1 September 2015
This opening session acts as an introduction to the ensuing four learning sessions and consultation events on the individual principles. It will ensure that participants understand the nature of the challenges and dilemmas involved in translating principles into operational decisions. The session will delineate the practical implications of the principles for humanitarian actors and highlight the central role of principles in interactions with government, military, and other actors. It will also emphasize the interrelationship of the four principles, providing a basis for the next sessions, which will focus in on issues that are primarily related to each of the four principles individually.
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Humanity
8 September 2015
Following the introductory session, the series starts with a focus on the principle of humanity. Less of an operational tool than other principles, humanity imbues relief activities with their humanitarian character. It defines in broad terms the nature of the work – the saving of lives and alleviation of suffering – with an attention to fundamental human dignity. Humanity thus implicates both assistance and protection. More specifically, a sense of humanity or compassion is often seen as a motivation distinguishing humanitarian aid from other forms of relief. But do humanitarians "own" this principle? When the private sector or military operators deliver aid, can they also claim humanity as their principle? How do humanitarian agencies give programmatic meaning to the principle?
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Impartiality
24 September 2015
The principle of impartiality carries a triple function, creating an ethical requirement that aid be given on a non-discriminatory basis, determining that operations must identify and address the needs of the most vulnerable, and building trust and acceptance within a conflict context. In crisis situations, where many people have needs – often serious ones – in what ways do humanitarian actors differentiate, or not, between people in need versus those most in need? How do impartiality and agency specialization affect one another, both in theory and in practice? What does impartiality mean for an organization with a long history of working in a certain community or region in need when there are other communities or regions in more urgent distress?
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Neutrality
1 October 2015
The underlying basis for the principle of neutrality has come under sustained attack by the political and military instrumentalization of the “with us or against us” discourse. This challenging global context is all the more reason to adhere, to instill confidence in combatants, and to gain access to all communities caught up in the crisis, regardless their geographic location or political, religious, or ethnic affiliation. Yet adherence proves difficult in many situations, especially where access to the “enemy” side is blocked, or where key donor governments also play a role in the conflict. How do agencies demonstrate their neutrality? How strict is their interpretation or commitment?
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Independence
6 October 2015
The capacity to act impartially, to remain neutral in a given context, or even to give operational meaning to the call of humanity all require that an organization possess a certain degree of independence. That principle comes under constant threat by financial constraints, as humanitarian relief requires funding, and the availability of funding often fails to align with the needs of either populations or aid agencies. There have been, and continue to be, efforts aimed at creating funding mechanisms that allow greater responsiveness to needs, or that avert outright politicization of the recipient. What are some of the “new” ideas in this regard? How can the humanitarian sector do better in terms of assuring their independence?
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Other upcoming events on humanitarian principles
PHAP would also like to highlight other important upcoming events on humanitarian principles. In particular, the ICRC's Research and Debate Cycle on Principles Guiding Humanitarian Action is a series of high-level public events and experts meetings that take place on several continents throughout 2015. In the run-up to the 32nd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, the Cycle aims at fostering a global discussion around principled humanitarian action.
