Paper details

Paper authors	Vandra Agisilaou, Tuba Boz
In panel on	Who or what constitutes the humanitarian?
Paper presenter(s) will be presenting	In-Person & Online

Abstract

This paper applies a lens of ethical theory seeks to the question of ‘who or what constitutes a humanitarian’, because values and judgements about right and wrong are often strong undercurrents in debates about people and practice. The term humanitarian is broadly used and can appear to homogenise extremely distinct approaches, and we agree that improving our ability to discuss diversity within humanitarian action will support the evolution of practice. In considering ways to evolve our language and practice, we examined thirteen ethical approaches and organised them into four clusters according broad areas that are central to ethical thinking. We then explored whether these adequately describe the diverse approaches to humanitarianism that have been identified, and whether this is useful. Rather than creating additional principles or ‘fixed’ categories, we propose a thematic approach that identifies patterns or flexible guiding frames to better articulate the heterogeneity and complexity of the field. We discuss how these clusters may apply to different humanitarianisms, and ask whether this kind of ethical thinking can help us understand humanitarian diversity – and perhaps promote better humanitarian outcomes through improved understanding and interaction.

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