Humanitarian aid in the archives : Introduction

Journal article


Davey, Eleanor and Scriven, Kim. (2015). Humanitarian aid in the archives : Introduction. Disasters. 39(S2), pp. 113-128. https://doi.org/10.1111/disa.12150
AuthorsDavey, Eleanor and Scriven, Kim
Abstract

How might historical perspectives assist the goal of improving humanitarian responses? This introduction to a special issue of Disasters on the history of humanitarian action explores this question and outlines how the other submissions to the edition, each with its own approach and focus area from the nineteenth-century to the present today, make different contributions to understanding of humanitarian action. The paper argues that the value of history lies not so much in the information it might offer, but in the challenges it can pose to habitual ways of thinking and in the skills of investigation and interpretation it fosters. These attributes make historical perspectives a potentially valuable addition to the critical questioning of humanitarian practitioners and policymakers. The paper advocates integrating history into a more reflective attitude to change and a more adventurous and holistic approach to innovation, as opposed to simply using it to ‘learn lessons’.

Keywordshistory; humanitarian action; innovation; knowledge exchange; learning
Year2015
JournalDisasters
Journal citation39 (S2), pp. 113-128
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1111/disa.12150
Scopus EID2-s2.0-84942120593
Research or scholarlyResearch
Page range113-128
Publisher's version
License
All rights reserved
File Access Level
Controlled
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online23 Sep 2015
Publication process dates
Deposited25 Oct 2021
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https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/8wx9y/humanitarian-aid-in-the-archives-introduction

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