Paper details
| Paper authors | Alex Odlum, Swetha Ramachandran |
| In panel on | Humanitarian studies in turbulent times: taking stock of the Agenda for Humanity |
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Abstract
Assessments of humanitarian localisation since the Agenda for Humanity and Grand Bargain have emphasised financial flows and partnerships as indicators of the devolution of power to local actors. This narrow focus on material indicators overlooks other dimensions through which power is exerted, exercised and reinforced in the international system. Our research empirically investigates one such dimension: language. We hypothesise that aid actors in the Global North dictate how debates around localisation are narrated and framed through their use of language and terminology in humanitarian reporting. To test our hypothesis, we analyse localisation discourse in over 4,000 annual activity reports published by humanitarian organisations between 2005-2019. In particular, we explore patterns in the diffusion of localisation terminology and conceptualisations of “the local” by different actors across time. Our preliminary findings suggest that localisation discourse emanates from European and North American organisations, before being adopted by local actors closer to crisis affected regions. We discuss the implications of potential contradictions between aspirations of localisation as the devolution of power, and language patterns that, conversely, indicate a reinforcement of existing power structures.
