INTRODUCTION: REPORTING ON HUMANITARIAN ISSUES

1. INTRODUCTION: REPORTING ON HUMANITARIAN ISSUES What is communication? The term ‘communication' covers any interaction with another person. It includes sharing information, ideas and feelings between people. Communication is a ‘two way' process. When you communicate you perceive the other persons responses and react with your own thoughts and feelings. Social scientific method examines different levels of communication: intrapersonal, interpersonal, small group, organizational, and mediated communication. Scholars study the transfer of messages within these different levels using laboratory experiments, field observation, case studies, participant observation, and other quantitative and qualitative methods within such environments as family, health-care, politics, and intercultural studies. University of Nairobi, SOJ 2009

2. What is Reporting? • Reporting is just a genre of writing, alongside essays and stories. • A reporter goes through the following process. • Interviews, research • Assemble a story • Fact-checking and editing • Publishing • Reports are designed to convey and record information that will be of practical use to the reader. It is organized into discrete units of specific and highly visible information • Types of Reports: • Informational • Inform or instruct – present information • Reader sees the details of events, activities or conditions. • No analysis of the situation, no conclusion, no recommendations • Analytical • Written to solve problems • Information is analyzed. • Conclusions are drawn and recommendations are made • Persuasive • An extension of analytical reports: main focus is to sell an idea, a service, or product. • Proposals are the most common type. • Difference between Reports and Correspondence • Reports usually have diverse audience, more than one purpose and more detailed information. University of Nairobi, SOJ 2009

3. INTRODUCTION: COMMUNICATION AND HUMANITARIAN ISSUES Humanitarianism Definitions of humanitarian on the Web (www.google.co.ke): • Human-centered: marked by humanistic values and devotion to human welfare; "a humane physician"; "released the prisoner for humanitarian reasons ... • Concern for human welfare, especially as manifested through philanthropy. • Belief that the sole moral obligation of humankind is the improvement of human welfare. • Of or relating to or characteristic of humanitarianism: "humanitarian aid" • Someone devoted to promotion of human welfare and social reforms • An informal ideology of practice whereby people practice humane treatment and provide assistance to others. University of Nairobi, SOJ 2009

4. INTRODUCTION: COMMUNICATION AND HUMANITARIAN ISSUES • The term ‘humanitarian’ - once linked primarily with traditions and principles of the Red Cross Movement, and of International Humanitarian Law - has become less clear-cut in its meaning over the past decade. • Where does the humanitarian agenda end and other agendas (e.g. development, conflict resolution and peace building) begin? University of Nairobi, SOJ 2009

5. INTRODUCTION: COMMUNICATION AND HUMANITARIAN ISSUES Humanitarian Agendas Lack of a clearly defined interface between different humanitarian agendas has resulted in incoherent interventions and a failure to serve the best interests of the intended beneficiaries. Implications of lack of consistency in meaning of ‘humanitarian’ • Terminology of humanitarianism has been used to add legitimacy to a certain cause (e.g. the world’s first ‘humanitarian’ war in Kosovo). • Terminology has been associated with a much wider geopolitical project led largely by the West. • There is increased skepticism, particularly within the assistance community, regarding the value of distinctive humanitarian principles. For example, the selective rejection of the concept of neutrality by many agencies. • Varying use of terminology has affected reporting of aid spending and definition of the scope of different forms of assistance. • The ‘humanitarian’ community itself has often been weak in engaging with the wider development, diplomatic and military communities and explaining clearly and succinctly whether and how the ethics and objectives of humanitarian response differ from or complement those of other actors. University of Nairobi, SOJ 2009

6. INTRODUCTION: COMMUNICATION AND HUMANITARIAN ISSUES Evolution of Humanitarian Principles 1. Cultural Roots Many cultures have sought to limit the suffering that war can cause. The international humanitarian law simply expresses the idea in legal terms. In most cultures some things are not permitted even in war. There have to be limits to violence that people inflict on one another by establishing a firewall between civilization and absolute barbarism. • Ancient code of Hammurabi: “I establish these laws to prevent the strong from oppressing the weak.” • Plato’s Republic: “Accordingly, the Greeks being their own people, a quarrel with them will not be called a war. It will only be civil strife, which they will carry on as men who will some day be reconciled. So they will not behave like a foreign enemy seeking to enslave or destroy, but will try to bring their adversaries to reason by well-meant correction. As Greeks they will not devastate the soil of Greece or burn the homesteads; nor will they allow that all the inhabitants of any state, men women, and children, are their enemies, but only the few who are responsible for the quarrel. The greater number are friends, whose land and houses, on all these accounts, they will not consent to lay waste and destroy. They will pursue the quarrel only until the guilty are compelled by the innocent sufferers to give satisfaction. For my part, I agree that our citizens should treat their adversaries in that way, and deal with foreigners as Greeks now deal with one another. We will make this a law, then, for our Guardians: they are not to ravage lands or burn houses.” University of Nairobi, SOJ 2009

7. INTRODUCTION: COMMUNICATION AND HUMANITARIAN ISSUES Evolution of Humanitarian Principles So how did humankind bridge the historic gap of over 25 centuries and actually codify the laws of war or IHL as we know it today? The answer can be found in the person of Henry Dunant, a Swiss businessman. 2. “Humanitarian Independence” (1864-1989) Humanitarian principles evolved in a context of interstate and intrastate conflicts kept in check by the world powers. Humanitarian principles were understood and to a large degree respected by warring parties. The role of humanitarian assistance was described through the analogy of a referee in a soccer match: upholding the rules, recognized by both parties as impartial. 3. “New Humanitarianism” (1989-2001) The post-Cold War period was dominated by internal wars, in a multi-lateral world. An increase in the number of crises saw an increase in the number of actors in humanitarian assistance, coupled with attempts to link emergency assistance with developmental and human rights concerns. 4. “Securitization” Increased emphasis on terrorism as a main cause for violence led to an increasing unilateralism and increasing focus on security. The modalities in relief delivery focus on the need for political transformation, causing a further blurring of lines between political and humanitarian actors (e.g. bombing of ICRC in Iraq), and indeed the appearance of for-profit humanitarian actors. 5. Future of humanitarianism? Key questions centre on the role of the UN and the humanitarian principles. Are organisations moving away from principles they are based on? Where is the referee now? University of Nairobi, SOJ 2009

8. INTRODUCTION: COMMUNICATION AND HUMANITARIAN ISSUES Humanitarianism and Law 1. Humanitarian Principles Humanitarian principles adapted and applied in a variety of ways. 2. Legal Framework No law governs humanitarianism, but three strands of law guide international humanitarian protection: A) International Humanitarian Law (IHL) The Geneva Conventions (protecting civilian non-combatants and a non-fighting military) and the Hague Convention (focusing on the rules of war) are setting many of the standards for humanitarianism in times of war. Besides the signatory Governments, the ICRC is the only body charged with monitoring respect for the Geneva Conventions. B) Human Rights Law Applies both in times of peace and war. The focus is on Governments and their relationship with their own citizens. C) Refugee Law Law as defined by 1951 UN convention. The UNHCR is the body with a watching brief on the respect for this convention. University of Nairobi, SOJ 2009