DAS Humanitarian Action 2024
Information
Period
September 2024 - December 2024Language
EnglishFormat
On-site – switch over to online-learning if requiredRegistration
Registration deadline
30 June 2024Fees:
Total fees: CHF 8’000.-
Deposit (upon acceptance of admission): CHF 1'000.-
The payment of the registration fees can be made in several instalments. If registration fees are not paid before the beginning of the course, access to the programme will not be allowed.
There are no scholarships available for this programme.
Objectives
At the end of the course, participants will have developed a critical understanding of contemporary humanitarian action informed by academic scholarship, which will enable them to become better informed, and more aware and effective humanitarian practitioners, more autonomous in their decisions.
More specifically, at the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Understand the politico-historical foundations of humanitarianism, the changing nature of humanitarian crises and the various forms of humanitarian action
- Widen their conception of humanitarianism by acknowledging the existence of other philanthropic, charity and faith-based endeavours
- Understand the ethical, normative and legal aspects of humanitarianism including the overlap between humanitarianism, militarism and sanctions
- Identify the various actors of humanitarian action and understand the political economy of the field
- Conceptualise humanitarianism as a distinct mode of governing and understand its link with border control policies and security regimes
Audience
Professional from other sectors who wishes to increase their understanding of the humanitarian sector for a potential career change
Graduate student with relevant volunteer or intern experience, looking to undertake a postgraduate course with a view to entering the humanitarian sector
Programme
The course is divided in five modules:
- M1: Humanitarianisms
- M2: Contexts, Actions and Consequences
- M3: Revisiting Vulnerability and Needs
- M4: Humanitarian Governance, Norms and Principles
- M5: The Humanitarians
The Diploma also includes the writing of a final dissertation.
Director(s)
Prof. Karl BLANCHET, Geneva Centre of Humanitarian Studies, a joint Centre of the University of Geneva and the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (IHEID), Geneva
Coordinator(s)
Diploma delivered jointly by
Description
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. It compares what has become the dominant form of humanitarianism with other forms of international solidarity, such as grassroots movements and advocacy networks, or State interventionism, in North-South and East-West perspectives. It also questions the links between faith-based humanitarianism, charity and philanthropy in Western and non-Western contexts.
Description
This module describes the various forms humanitarian action has taken looking at different fields of expertise and disciplines. 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, the narrative of populations’ resilience and people-centered approaches. Applying concrete analytical tools for understanding risks, the module will offer an opportunity for students to value their experience and develop real-life solutions. Finally, the module will open discussions and debates on how to decolonize the humanitarian system.
Description
Using insights from various disciplines (anthropology, global health, international relations) this module asks: What does the principle of humanity mean in practice? What forms of selection, triage and exclusion does the preservation of such a principle entail? By introducing students to key theoretical texts on governmentality, this module revisits two taken for granted notions of humanitarian action (‘needs’ and ‘vulnerabilities’) so as to highlight the implicit representations that inform practices of categorization and the identification of ‘target/key populations’. We explore the politics of indicators, examine emblematic figures of vulnerability and turn the gaze on humanitarian actors so as to understand their ‘need to help’ suffering others but also their need of security while on mission. Finally, we discuss the relationship between violence and vulnerability, explore the dilemmas of triage and discourses of self-help and resilience that inform contemporary interventions.
Description
This module discusses the normative aspects of contemporary humanitarianism, using the insights of various disciplines (anthropology, international law, sociology and international relations) within the field of humanitarian studies as well as those of practitioners involved in protection work. It introduces students to the basic principles of international humanitarian law (IHL), Human Rights, refugee law as well as humanitarian ethics. It examines the tensions and contradictions that emerge when humanitarian actors seek to implement IHL in practice. It explores how the world has crossed into new humanitarian frontiers of ethical and legal problematics by analyzing the overlap between humanitarianism and militarism, the links between the politics of security and relief and the relationship between advocacy and transitional justice.
Description
This module focuses on the humanitarian milieu in its sociological dimension, on Aidland as a specific transnational field with its – not always explicit – codes of conduct, values and behaviours. It examines the everyday life of humanitarian workers, be they expatriates or local staff, but also the production of internal differences among various humanitarian identities and categories of practitioners. It also questions the boundaries and interactions between humanitarian organisations, as well as between humanitarian workers, affected populations and donors, or through technologies.
Description
Throughout the DAS, participants will engage in a series of workshops designed to develop information-gathering and processing, critical thinking, analytical writing and networking skills. These workshops will help participants write three assignments (context analysis and reports) that constitute the core of the dissertation. The overall aim of the DAS dissertation is to stimulate a critical and original reflection on issues linked to humanitarian action through specific writing exercises.
Pedagogical method
- Lectures delivered by academics and experts
- Intercultural classroom settings
- Participatory programme
The DAS is taught in English. However, students are offered the alternative to take written tests and write their Diploma final paper in French.
Diploma awarded
Admission criteria
- A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a Swiss or foreign university
- At least two years of relevant professional experience
- Excellent command of English
For more details on the enrollment process visit this page.
Application File
- Copy of identity document or passport
- Passport photo (.jpg format)
- Curriculum vitae
- Cover letter (explaining the reason why you apply for this course and how will the acquired skills help you in your career)
- Copy of the highest educational qualification obtained
- Copy of Work certificates/official document from your current and the previous two job positions
- Proof of English language competence to be dated less than 2 years. Please refer to https://humanitarianstudies.ch/application/
- Two recent letters of recommendation (academic and/or professional) signed and with direct mention of the programme of your choice
- Employer's funding agreement, if applicable
More information about the application process is available on our application page.
Number of participants
Cancellation Policy
Please check our cancellation policy on our application page.