Humanitarian Action in the 21st century: An introduction

About

The humanitarian landscape is changing, challenging past decades of humanitarian action. Closing the gap between population needs and humanitarian response requires new approaches, new paradigms.

This summer course will provide you with an introduction to the theories and practices of humanitarian action in a global perspective: its historical and legal foundations, the international system in place to support it, different typologies of humanitarian crises, challenges and trends, as well as possible career paths in the field.

The course encourages critical reflection on humanitarian action and lessons learnt from contemporary humanitarian crises by providing participants with an overview of the historical, conceptual as well as operational aspects of humanitarian intervention.

Target group

Master

Course aim

At the end of the course participants should be able to:

- Describe the Nordic and international actors, organizations and systems in the field of humanitarian action;
- Analyse and discuss the various typologies of disasters and humanitarian responses (including wars, natural hazards, complex emergencies);
- Understand, evaluate and critique different types of humanitarian intervention (e.g. feeding programs, cluster surveys, -
programme design, advocacy efforts, etc.);
- Critically examine the paradoxes and dilemmas of the changing humanitarian landscape through multiple perspectives and academic disciplines
- Build and sustain professional relationships and networks

Fee info