The Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS) aims to offer professionals a critical understanding of the humanitarian system and an ability to contextualize humanitarian action in today’s world. Taking an interdisciplinary approach, it explores the historical, political, social, cultural and economic roots of humanitarianism and the power dynamics at play in relationships between States, non-State actors, international organisations, international and local non-governmental organizations and affected populations. Finally, the programme addresses the colonial legacy of past and present humanitarian interventions to identify new avenues for contemporary and future crises.
The Diploma is a 100% residential programme in Geneva. The DAS programme is intensive, with at least four days per week in class. Participants should invest full time in classes, self-learning activities, assignments and a dissertation, and networking in Geneva.
Module 1: Humanitarianisms
This module traces the genealogy of secular humanitarianism since the 19th century, to explore historical and political dynamics and mechanics that led to the development of several forms of humanitarianism, including its visual, moral and political economy along the 20th century.
Module 2: Humanitarian ethics, norms and principles
This module discusses the normative aspects of contemporary humanitarianism, introducing students to the basic principles of international humanitarian law (IHL), Human Rights, refugee law as well as humanitarian ethics.
Module 3: “Decolonizing” and “localizing” humanitarian action : why and how?
This module questions the incentive to “localize” humanitarian action in the context of new global politics reshaping the humanitarian system, in light of similar calls to “decolonize” the aid sector.
Module 4: The triple nexus humanitarian-development-peace
The module explores the existing silos between areas of interventions and possibilities of integration. The changing nature of humanitarian crises is examined looking at the consequences these changes have had on the humanitarian response, notably the humanitarian-development nexus.
Module 5: The Humanitarians: relationships and interactions in Aidland
This module focuses on Aidland as a specific transnational field with its codes of conduct, values and behaviours. It examines the everyday life of humanitarian workers, and the production of internal differences among various humanitarian identities and categories of practitioners.
DAS dissertation
Throughout the DAS, participants will engage in workshops designed to develop information-gathering and processing, ethnographic observation and visual analysis. These workshops will help participants write three assignments (film review, conference report and annotated bibliography) that constitute the dissertation’s core. The DAS dissertation aims to stimulate a critical and original reflection on issues linked to humanitarian action through specific writing exercises.
The DAS dissertation must be presented by 31 January 2025.
For detailed information about admission criteria, required documents, deadlines, and the application process for the Master, please refer to the “How to Apply” page on our website.
Designation: Senior Lecturer and Researcher, Head of Learning