Helsinki Seminar on Humanitarianism, December 14-15th, 2007
Finnish International Studies Association (FISA) together with The Erik Castrén Institute of International Law and Human Rights
The goal is to examine how lessons learned from the diverse emergency networks, which bring together national, defence, judicial, public policy, and civil society actors, can be used to illuminate contemporary humanitarianism. The workshop examines the extensive practice of international humanitarianism, expressive of the idea that individuals and their collectives have obligations to distant others and should work to reduce their suffering. The seminar will chart the vast and often ad-hoc institutional networks, comprised of states, international organizations, and non-governmental actors.
The fluxing humanitarian networks aim to improve the fates of millions, for example, by providing emergency assistance, supporting human rights, promoting good governance and democracy, helping to maintain the rule of law, eradicating poverty, fighting epidemic diseases and supplying medicines, helping war-torn societies, and using military means to protect basic rights. The humanitarian impulse and sentiment is often founded on ethical - as opposed to political - commitments are not to acknowledge territorial boundary. Boundaries are considered universal, extending beyond those who are 'like us'. In covering what is defined as the human polity - i.e. humanity - humanitarianism has become an expression of a world order. On the one hand, it is increasingly committed to both helping those in immediate danger and creating a more just, humane, and civilized human condition. On other hand, it shapes and moulds societies to fit a common Western pattern.
Humanitarianism provides increasingly influential framework that the states have to take into account in justifying they actions. Ethics and politics weave complex networks of interaction between different actors and offer various roles for them.
Presentations on Friday, 14th of December are open for all interested.
Paper proposals for Saturday's seminar session should be send to Mika Aaltola (aalto007@umn.edu) by 29th of November.
Friday 14th of December, 10-16, Main Building of University of Helsinki (Unioninkatu 33), Konsistorisali.
Presentations
David Kennedy: "Rethinking the humanitarian tradition in international law"
Raymond Duvall: "Humanitarianism and Its Violences: Bodies, Beings, and the Politics of Caring"
Kari Möttölä: "The European Union addressing the juxtaposition of soft and hard security"
Julian Reid: "The Global Governmentalisation of Humanitarianism".
Mika Aaltola: "Hegemonic sentimentalism and humanitarian compassion"
Saturday 15th of December, 9-14 Porthania (Yliopistonkatu 3),
oikeudenkäyntisali P668.
European Week Against Racism 
The Human Rights Education Project