HIST 508 EUROPE AND HUMANITARIAN AID SINCE 1945: CONCEPTS, ACTORS, PRACTICES

Transcription

1 HIST 508 EUROPE AND HUMANITARIAN AID SINCE 1945: CONCEPTS, ACTORS, PRACTICES (SUGGESTION: CROSS-LISTING WITH EURO AND POLITICAL SCIENCE) INSTRUCTOR: Prof. Tobias Hof Office: Hamilton Hall, Room 509

2 COURSE MEETING TIMES Time: Suggestion: Twice a week Room: TBA SHORT DESCRIPTION The seminar offers undergraduate and graduate students an insight into the role of Europe within the global regime of humanitarian aid. After looking at the history and at theoretical definitions of humanitarianism the course will examine a variety of case studies to assess the changing role of Europe in the post-war era. COURSE DESCRIPTION The recent Ebola epidemic, the outbreak of the Zika virus, the migrant crisis in Europe and the Middle East, the fear of another famine in Ethiopia in our world today it is impossible to escape the manifold media reports about humanitarian crises. EU assistance amounts to one of the world s largest humanitarian aid support and is second only to the United States. The European Commission s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department (ECHO) aims to save and preserve life, prevent and alleviate human suffering and safeguard the integrity and dignity of populations affected by natural disasters and man-made crises. For the years the budget of ECHO amounts to approximately 2 billion. In addition, an EU Emergency Aid Reserve can be called upon to respond to major crises, financing notably humanitarian, civilian crisis management and protection operations in non-eu countries. In the context of the current refugee crisis, a new EU Regulation was adopted in 2016, allowing the EU to provide emergency support in response to exceptional crises or disasters within the EU which give rise to severe humanitarian consequences. A new funding allocation of 300 million is planned in 2016 to that effect, complemented by an additional 200 million in 2017 and 200 million in Today ECHO provides humanitarian funding worldwide to over 200 partner organizations that implement relief actions on the ground. These include non-governmental organizations (47%), United Nations agencies (39%) and international organizations (13%). In % of the EU funds were spent on programs in Africa, followed by operations in the Middle East with 37%. European nation states, too, are highly involved in humanitarian assistance. In 2014 three European countries were amongst the Top 5 donor countries: the United Kingdom (2), Germany (4) and Sweden (5). Since 2012 the British Department for International Development alone has committed 2.3 billion pound in response to the Syrian crisis. This includes allocations to over 30 implementing partners (including UN agencies, European NGOs such as Oxfam or Doctors without Borders and the Red Cross). In this time period over 4.5 million relief packages were distributed in Syria and the surrounding regions. Nevertheless, while the world faces its most serious humanitarian catastrophes since World War II, the demand for a stronger commitment from Europe once the main recipient of humanitarian aid becomes louder every day. The goal of this seminar that is open to undergraduate as well as graduate students is to analyze and understand the role of Europe its nation states, the European Union and European NGOs within the present global regime of humanitarian aid. We will look closely at the seemingly impressive numbers, discuss shortcomings of present European humanitarian assistance and debate possible reforms. 2

3 However, before we can engage in a fruitful discussion we need to gain necessary background knowledge: After looking at the history of humanitarianism as well as different forms and definitions of humanitarian aid from a theoretical perspective we will examine a variety of case studies to assess the changing role of Europe. These case studies will cover different geographic and temporal areas since 1945, including one example from the present. They will address three main categories of humanitarian crises: hunger, disease and refugees. Case studies will include the famines in Biafra and Ethiopia in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s; the present global food crisis which is the most serious of the last 25 years and affects currently more than 31 million people; the smallpox outbreak in Europa and India in the 1970s; the HIV pandemic, and the present Ebola epidemic of ; and the millions of refugees worldwide fleeing poverty, war and hunger since 1945 with a special focus on the current refugee crisis that led to a dubious deal between the European Union and Turkey which was sharply criticized by humanitarian agencies. Three main questions will guide our discussions about each case study: First, what were the changing concepts, norms and principles that influenced European discourse about the crisis in particular and humanitarian aid in general? We will watch documentaries that have influenced the European discourse, debate the highly controversial issue of humanitarian intervention and discuss if and if so, how a changing global setting impacted the discourse (e.g. Cold War). Second, who were the most significant national, international and transnational actors when it came to dealing with each humanitarian crisis? Since 1945 their number has demonstrably increased, which has led to a transformation and diversification of international politics. We will analyze the role of European nation states as single actors and as actors within international organizations such as the UN (e.g. UNHCR, WFP, WHO); and the role of European organizations as well as global and local Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). We will also look at their cooperative, competitive and interdependent relationships and how they influence present day humanitarian aid. And third, we will examine practices of immediate humanitarian relief aid as well as different forms of long-term development aid the latter of which range from emergency food assistance to providing shelters and settlements to providing free health care, treatment of severe and moderate malnutrition and access to safe water. We will also look at the consequences for the affected countries both recipients and donors. COURSE OBJECTIVES Undergraduate and graduate students will: 1. Grasp the historic narrative of humanitarianism and the importance of the media in humanitarian crisis 2. Develop an awareness of past and present humanitarian crisis 3. Develop an awareness of the discussions and difficulties surrounding humanitarian aid and intervention in a globalized world after Develop an awareness of the different countries and institutions committed to humanitarian aid, their different approaches and solutions 5. Develop competency in the craft of writing historical papers and historical analysis COURSE ASSIGNMENTS Note: The assignments for undergraduate and graduate students vary. 3

4 Class Participation: Regular class attendance and thoughtful participation in discussion are mandatory for this class. If you are not able to attend a seminar session due to extraordinary circumstances (e.g. religious reasons, illness, family emergencies), please notify the instructor in advance or as soon as possible. Your participation grade will reflect your attendance and active participation (including news of the week assignments) in class. Read the required reading (primary and secondary documents), bring them to class, and be prepared to discuss them. (undergraduate and graduate students) Protocol: Two undergraduate student will sign up to write a 2 page (Times New Roman, 12ft, double-spaced; app. 500 words; 10% rule applies) of the weeks findings, so that after every week we will have a protocol about the week s topic. The protocol should address the main themes that were discussed during the week. The main purpose of the protocol is to help all students in their preparation for the final exam and to function as a concise summary of the week s topic. (only undergraduate student) Leading Class Discussion and Presentation: Graduate students will sign up to lead class discussions of the readings, so that each week two graduate students lead the discussion. The student leaders should present a short summary of the major themes of the readings (10 minutes in length) and then lead the class discussion of the readings. Each pair of students should prepare a one page handout to help guide the class through their presentation. (only graduate students) Book Review: One 3 page (Times New Roman, 12ft, double-spaced; app words; 10% rule applies) of a secondary book you will use for your research project. Your review should accomplish two objectives: First, it should describe the book, present its argument, and provide an overall assessment of the work as a piece of historical scholarship. Second, the review should put the book into conversation with your research paper. How does your research add to, complement, complicate, or challenge the claims put forth in the book? The book review is due in week 8. (undergraduate and graduate students) Final Seminar Paper: Each student will write a 20 page (undergraduates) / page (graduates) seminar paper (Times New Roman, 12ft, double-spaced; 10% rule applies) on a topic of their choice related to the class, in consultation with the instructor. Students should hand in a suggestion of their topic and a short annotated bibliography during week 5. A first two-page summary or outline/draft of the project should be handed in during week 10 (5% of the grade). The final paper is due at the end of the semester (as a hardcopy or send by to hof@unc.edu). (undergraduate and graduate students) Final Exam: The final exam will be mostly essay questions designed to cover the whole course (select 2 from a choice of 5-6 questions). (undergraduate and graduate students) GRADES The individual course components will be given the following weights in determining the final grade: Undergraduate Students Attendance and Class Participation: 10% Protocol: 20% Book Review: 20% Final Exam: 20% 4

5 Final Seminar Paper: 30% (25% for the paper, 5% for the draft) Graduate Students Attendance and Class Participation: 10% Presentation & Class Discussion 20% Book Review: 20% Final Exam: 20% Final Seminar Paper: 30% (25% for the paper, 5% for the draft) READINGS Introductory Reading: Barnett, Michael N.: Empire of Humanity. A History of Humanitarianism. Ithaca, N.Y I recommend buying this book. You will find it in the Textbook Department of the UNC Student Store. In addition we will read chapters and articles from different journals. The chapters and articles will be made available on Sakai. POLICIES Honor Code: Students are bound by the Honor Code in taking exams and in written work. The Honor Code of the university is in effect at all times, and the submission of work signifies understanding and acceptance of those requirements. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Please consult with me if you have any questions about the Honor Code. Late Policy: All written work must be handed in at the beginning of class on the day the paper is due. (Due dates are listed in the schedule below). Late papers will result in a lower grade for that assignment. For each day that the paper is late, the paper s letter grade will be lowered by one-third of a grade, unless there is documented excuse acceptable to the instructor. 10% Rule: If your written assignments is shorter or exceeds the word limit by 10% the letter grade will be lowered by one-third of the grade. If you have difficulties keeping within the word limit, please contact the instructor as soon as possible. 5

6 COURSE SCHEDULE The schedule outlines the major topics that we will cover, but may be modified if necessary. Changes to the syllabus will be announced as far in advance as possible. Announcements will be distributed via or Sakai. Part I: Humanitarianism History and Concepts Week 1: Introduction and Definitions European Universities of Professionalization on Humanitarian Action: The State of Art of Humanitarian Action. A Quick Guide on the current situation of Humanitarian Relief, its Origins, Stakeholders and Future, Retrieve at Wilson, Richard/Brown, Richard D., Humanitarianism and suffering. The mobilization of empathy. Cambridge, New York 2009, Chapter: 1 and 2. Week 2: History of Humanitarianism and Human Rights Including: Discussion with Prof. Michael C. Morgan. Davey, Eleanor: A History of the Humanitarian System. Western Origins and Foundations. HPG Working Paper Morgan, Michael Cotey: The Seventies and the Rebirth of Human Rights, in: Niall Ferguson et. al. The Shock of the Global. The 1970s in Perspective. Cambridge: Harvard University Press Part II: Food Aid Week 3: Bianfra: Civil War and Famine Extracts from Koren, David L.: Far Away in the Sky: A Memoir of the Biafran Airlift. David L. Koren, Extracts from Michael I. Draper: Shadows: Airlift and Airwar in Biafra and Nigeria (Hikoki Publications, London, 2000). Week 4: Ethiopian Famines in the 1970s and 1980s Gill, Peter: Famine and Foreigners: Ethiopia Since Live Aid, Chapters 1 and 7. De Waal, Alexander: Famine Crimes: Politics & the Disaster Relief Industry in Africa, Chapters 4 and 6. World Press Photos of the 1970s and 1980s Buerk, Michael, Report on the Ethiopian Famine on BBC News, October 23 rd Week 5: Current Food Crisis Vidal, John: Across Africa, the worst food crisis since 1985 looms for 50 million, The Guardian May 22 nd, Butterly, Amelia: Thirty Years of Talking about Famine in Ethiopia Why s Nothing changed?, BBC Newsbeat, November 11 th De Waal, Alexander: Is the Era of Great Famines Over?, The New York Times, May 8 th, Week 6: Conclusion: The Development of European Food Aid 6

7 Cathie, John: European Food Aid Policy, Aldershot 1997, Chapter 2. Clapp, Jennifer: Hunger in the Balance. The New Politics of International Food Aid, New York, 2012, Chapter 8. Council Regulation (EC) No 1292/96 of 27 June 1996 on Food Aid Policy and Food Aid Management and Special Operations in Support of Food Security [Official Journal L 166 of ]. Part III: Health Week 7: Small Pox Manela, Erez: Smallpox Eradication and the Rise of Global Governance, in: Niall Ferguson et. al. The Shock of the Global. The 1970s in Perspective. Cambridge: Harvard University Press Staples, Amy, The Birth of Development. How the World Bank, Food and Agriculture Organization, and the World Health Organization Changed the World, , Kent 2006, Chapter 8 and 9. Week 8: HIV Srdan Matic: Twenty-Five Years of HIV/AIDS in Europe, in: Srdan Matic et. al. (eds); HIV/AIDS in Europe. Moving from Death Sentence to Chronic Disease Management, Copenhagen 2006, pp Mauro Guarinieri / Lital Hollander: From Denver to Dublin. The Role of Civil Society in HIV Treatment and Control, in: Srdan Matic et. al. (eds); HIV/AIDS in Europe. Moving from Death Sentence to Chronic Disease Management, Copenhagen 2006, pp Movie: Philadelphia, director: Jonathan Demme (USA, 1993) and Reception in Europe (e.g. Newspapers). John Kelly: HIV/AIDS: Why were the campaigns successful in the West? BBC Magazine, , retrieve at Book Review due in week 8. Week 9: Ebola Epidemic Medecins Sans Frontieres: Pushed to the Limit and Beyond. A Year into the largest ever Ebola Outbreak. Report, March 23 rd (retrieved at: News Coverage about Ebola taken from BBC Week 10: Conclusion: Perspectives and Challenges Leon, Joshua K.: The Rise of Global Health: The Evolution of Effective Collective Action, New York 2013, Chapter 5. ECDC, WHO Regional Office for Europe: HIV/AIDS Surveillance in Europe, Surveillance Report. Retrieve at data/assets/pdf_file/0007/293623/hiv-aids- Surveillance-Report-Europe-2014-en.pdf Draft due in week 10. Part IV: Refugees 7

8 Week 11: World War II and Displaced Persons Matthew Frank: Reconstructing the Nation-State: Population Transfer in Central and Eastern Europe, , in The Disentanglement of Populations. Migration, Expulsion and Displacement in Post-War Europe, , edited by Jessica Reich / Elizabeth White. Loescher, Gil, The UNHCR and World Politics. A perilous Path, Oxford 2001, Chapter: 2 and 3. Week 12: Refugees in the Middle East Donini, Antonio: Afghanistan. Back to the Future, in: Antonio Donini (ed.): The golden fleece. Manipulation and independence in humanitarian action. Sterling, Va Rosenblatt, Lionel: The Media and the Refugee, in: Rotberg, Robert I./Weiss, Thomas George (eds): From massacres to genocide. The media, public policy, and humanitarian crises. Washington Week 13: Current Refugee Crisis Henk Overbeek, Towards a New International Migration Regime, in Robert Miles / Dietrich Thränhardt (eds), Migration and European Integration, London 1995, pp Galit Wolfensohn, Gender Assessment of the Refugee and Migration Crisis in Serbia and FYR Macedonia, 2016 (United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women)) World Press Photos since the 2000s. Week 14: Conclusion: Perspectives and Challenges Betts, Alexander/Loescher, Gil/Milner, James, UNHCR. The politics and practice of refugee protection into the 21 st century, London et. al. 2012, Chapter: 5 and 6. Part V: Final Discussion Week 15: Final Discussion ECHO: Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council: Annual Report on the European Union s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Policies and their Implementation in 2015, Brussels August Kennedy, David, The Dark Sides of Virtue. Reassessing International Humanitarianism. Princeton, N.J. 2004, pp Final Paper due on last day of class Final Exam 8