Short Abstract

Calls to decolonise development & redistribute power are being amplified by the polycrisis. Whilst debates over the blurring of humanitarian and development assistance are not new, is it time to reject humanitarian/development siloes in favour of cohesive responses shaped by local actors?

Description

Whilst debates over the blurring of humanitarian and development assistance are not new, the scale and breadth of the polycrises facing both sectors is unprecedented. It is timely to revisit such debates in the context of upheaval within these sectors, shifts in global power and global threats such as climate change.

This panel plans to revisit the debates over the humanitarian/development divide through a decolonial lens, the panel will explore how existing aid architectures reinforce/challenge unequal power relations, and how local and southern actors are reclaiming agency in shaping cohesive responses to polycrises.

Taking the format of lightning talks and a discussion, the purpose of the panel will be to bring together early-career researchers, academics and practitioners to share examples of current challenges which bridge the humanitarian and development divide, as well as solutions, projects and ideas to tackle these. The aim will be to move away from the traditional arguments reflective of a past world order and focus on solutions suitable for current and future challenges.

Presenters will be asked to structure their presentations as follows:

• ⁠What is the challenge or issue you are presenting?

• ⁠How does this challenge or the approaches to address it blur or bridge the humanitarian/development divide?

• What practical or systemic changes are needed to advance more cohesive, equitable and locally driven responses?

Following the talks presenters and the audience will discuss the questions:

• Is it time to reject humanitarian/development siloes?

• How can we support cohesive, equitable, locally driven responses?

This Workshop has 1 pending contribution proposal.
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