25/02/20
News
Concept paper 2020 on Humanitarian Encyclopedia – read our latest project vision.
The need for a more collaborative response to humanitarian crises
In modern humanitarian crises, a collective response that is timely, adequate and well-coordinated is imperative to be able to adapt to an ever-changing environment and complex situations. Today, collaboration between the first responders – including local actors from civil society organisations or public authorities – and international humanitarian organisations is key. As such, the recognition and inclusion of these new actors in the humanitarian sector requires the need to create a common understanding and formulation of the key humanitarian concepts in order to build a bridge between these diverse actors, at multiple levels, and promotes an open dialogue to improve collective humanitarian action.
The need for an online, inclusive space for dialogue and exchange
Creating an online space where humanitarian practitioners, academics, researchers, local actors and international organisations can share evidence, knowledge and information to make informed decisions would be a valuable resource and public good. This space needs to guarantee and promote open dialogue and mutual respect.
In collaboration with the University of Geneva, this project uses the concept of ‘digital humanities’ in the creation of an interactive, online database, providing the environment and tools for producing and curating material that is not necessarily born as digital but becomes so via the open source platform. This approach creates new ways of learning that involves collaborative, transdisciplinary and online research and publishing.
The need for a pluralistic co-production of knowledge
The diversity of perspectives and views on humanitarianism guided by history, academic and professional disciplines, culture, religion, organisational cultures and contexts is seen as a richness and can be used to understand the various meanings some of the humanitarian concepts may take in some situations.
Recognizing diversity, pluralism and sometimes consensus will help build a common source of knowledge. It is important that the development of new knowledge is guided by the needs of humanitarian professionals, and is co-produced with academics from various disciplines such as history, anthropology, politics, sociology and linguistics.
The humanitarian encyclopedia
The Humanitarian Encyclopedia offers this inclusive online space for dialogue and promotes co-production of new knowledge to enhance collaboration in future humanitarian responses.
The Humanitarian Encyclopedia is the product developed by humanitarian professionals and academics, aware of the need for common understanding, and sharing knowledge as a public good and co-producing new forms of knowledge to guide future humanitarian responses.
The Humanitarian Encyclopedia provides:
- A living repository of co-produced humanitarian concepts
- An open source library of relevant humanitarian resources
- A dynamic mapping of humanitarian actors
- An interactive platform with online forums, webinars and e-learning modules
Read or download our latest concept paper for the Humanitarian Encyclopedia project.