Should humanitarianism return to its activist roots? | Rethinking Humanitarianism

Can embracing activism inspire public support for aid, and rejuvenate humanitarianism itself? Today's guests explain why – and how – humanitarians should go from advocacy to activism.

Chloé Fiona Ludden resigned from a United Nations job and joined activists aboard The Handala, one of the dozens of vessels that tried to break Israel's blockade on the Gaza Strip. "When we think about activism, it's usually something that is depicted at the fringes, when for me, the flotilla is… actually enacting international humanitarian law," she says.

Ludden and research fellow Philip Proudfoot join hosts Tammam Aloudat and Christina Bennett to examine the humanitarian system's activist roots and whether it should return to them.

Guests
Chloé Fiona Ludden, scientist and former United Nations staff; international coordinator for the Global Sumud flotilla
Philip Proudfoot, Research Fellow at the Institute of Development Studies and the co-founder of the Accountability Archive

Key moments
[10:12] – Activism vs. advocacy
[15:15] – Leaving the UN to join the Gaza flotilla
[28:43] – Why the system won't change
[35:40] – Is it humanitarianism or a protest?
[51:30] – Solidarity and the need to redistribute sacrifice
[1:01:30] – Is this the end of humanitarianism, or the beginning of a new one?

Got a question or feedback? Email podcast@thenewhumanitarian.org or post on social media using the hashtag #RethinkingHumanitarianism.

This episode was made in collaboration with Start Network as part of a series that explores what really drives change in the humanitarian system, and what it tells us about future efforts to transform the system for the better.