Localisation or deglobalisation? East Asia and the dismantling of liberal humanitarianism

Mastering humanitarianism? A survey of postgraduate humanitarian courses

“…Some programs in the Global North offer or require students to complete coursework at universities in the Global South, but ultimately the degree-granting institutions are those based in the Global North. Simultaneously, the mainstream international humanitarian sector is grappling with issues of colonialism, power imbalances, and issues of which actors have access to resources for response (Gómez, 2021;Jayawickrama, 2018;Shifting the Power, 2017). Humanitarian studies masters, which often occupy the dual track of unjust Global North power dominance from both the humanitarian and higher education world, can at worst be seen as tools for replicating and perpetuating these imbalances.…”

Japan and the international humanitarian system: In the periphery by design, principle or strategy?

“…After thirty years, the narrow understanding of humanitarianism is critically contested in the Asia Pacific and beyond (Gómez, 2021). The liberal international order underlying humanitarian diplomacy seems to be in critical condition, if not already dead (Ikenberry, 2018;Mearsheimer, 2019).…”

“…Calls to take advantage of the 2016 World Humanitarian Summit to radically modify the system from the top went unheard, so it has been up to each region to promote change in creating their own "humanitarian" institutions. The large East Asian region has been a pioneer in this respect, thanks to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' continued work and its country members' leadership (Caballero-Anthony et al, 2021;Gómez, 2021). The creation of the China International Development Cooperation Agency is also an opportunity to transform how humanitarian affairs are managed in the region and beyond.…”

“…See also the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) position described by Marion Harroff-Tavel, available at: https://www.icrc.org/en/doc/assets/files/other/humanitarian-diplomacy-icrc. pdf Humanitarian diplomacy should be understood as closely related to liberal humanitarianism-as in Barnett (2011) or Gómez (2021).…”

Localisation Agenda, Shift the Power and African Philanthropic Models in Burkina Faso, Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal

“…The goal of the localisation agenda is to improve the overall humanitarian system, and ensure efficient and fast delivery, quality, impactful and sustainable humanitarian action that are efficient and meets the needs of intended beneficiaries. The central role of local actors in achieving these outcomes has long been recognised (Krause, 2014;Pincock et al, 2021;Gomez, 2021). With their unique strengths of strong understanding of local contextual circumstances, politics and culture, proximity, timely response, and cost-effectiveness in delivering interventions, local communities and institutions are better placed to deliver critical intervention to those in need (Bakarat and Milton, 2020;Bakarat and Abunimer, 2020;van den Boss, 2021).…”