Humanitarianism's Quandaries

This roundtable brought together a historian, a political scientist and a scholar/practitioner to discuss humanitarianism, from its origins in the early twentieth century to key challenges humanitarianism faces today.  Are the modern tenets of humanitarianism being called into question by current operations and missions?

Former USIP Jennings Randolph Senior Fellow Keith Watenpaugh discussed the roots of modern humanitarianism and examines the role of the international humanitarian campaigns in the Middle East in the aftermath of the 1915 genocide of the Ottoman Armenians during World War One.  Political Scientist Michael Barnett of the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University assessed the paternalistic impulse of humanitarianism and its effects, while practitioner Elizabeth Ferris examied whether humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence are still relevant today.

This event featured the following speakers:

• Keith Watenpaugh, Panelist
  Associate Professor, Program in Religious Studies, University of California, Davis

  USIP Jennings Randolph Senior Fellow (2008-09)

• Michael Barnett, Panelist

  Professor, The Elliott School of International Affairs, The George Washington University

• Elizabeth Ferris, Panelist

  Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution

• Elizabeth Cole, Moderator

  Senior Program Officer, Jennings Randolph Fellowship Program, U.S. Institute of Peace

Explore Further

• Listen to the audio recording of this event.