Themed Issue of International Review of the Red Cross: The Future of Humanitarian Action

[The following description and table of contents is from the International Review of the Red Cross.] 

The Future of Humanitarian Action

Since the end of the Cold War, humanitarian activity has grown exponentially. Several factors today seem to demonstrate profound changes in this polymorphic sector. These are factors related first to the development of crises and vulnerabilities and the risks that are emerging; second to the environment around humanitarian action and the contemporary challenges to compliance with humanitarian principles, law, and access to victims; and third to new methods and changes in the composition of the sector itself. In this edition, the Review gives the floor to representatives of a number of humanitarian operational organizations and research centres to discuss each of these three aspects of change that we think are critical to the future of humanitarian action. 

Table of Contents

• Editorial: The Future of Humanitarian Action -- IRRC September No 884, by Vincent Bernard
• What Are the Future Challenges for Humanitarian Action?, by Kristalina Georgieva and Jakob Kellenberger
• Megatrends and the Future of Humanitarian Action, by Elizabeth Ferris
• Planning from the Future: An Emerging Agenda, by Randolph Kent
• The Future of Humanitarian Action: An ICRC Perspective, by Claudia McGoldrick
• The Legal Framework of Humanitarian Access in Armed Conflict, by Felix Schwendimann
• What Americans Think of International Humanitarian Law, by Brad A. Gutierrez, Sarah DeCristofaro, and Michael Woods
• Using Humanitarian Aid to 'Win Hearts and Minds': A Costly Failure?, by Jamie A. Williamson
• The Use of Force to Protect Civilians and Humanitarian Action: The Case of Libya and Beyond, by Bruno Pommier
• Civil-Military Relations in Natural Disasters: A Case Study of the 2010 Pakistan Floods, by Ajay Madiwale and Kudrat Virk
• In Folio: 'Yo Lo Vi'. Goya Witnessing the Disasters of War: An Appeal to the Sentiment of Humanity, by Paul Bouvier
• Opportunity Knocks: Why Non-Western Donors Enter Humanitarianism and How to Make the Best of It, by Andrea Binder and Claudia Meier
• What Future Role for Local Organizations? A Reflection on the Need for Humanitarian Capacity-Building, by François Audet
• Humanitarian Organizations Involved in Protection Activities: A Story of Soul-Searching and Professionalization, by Pierre Gentile
• Fit for Purpose: The Role of Modern Professionalism in Evolving the Humanitarian Endeavor, by Peter Walker and Catherine Russ
• The Emerging Concept of Humanitarian Diplomacy: Identification of a Community of Practice and Prospects for International Recognition, by Philippe Régnier
• New Information Technologies and their Impact on the Humanitarian Sector, by Patrick Meier
• In Memoriam: Antonio Cassese (1937-2011)
• New Edition: How Does Law Protect in War?
• Books and Articles: Recent Acquisitions of the Library and Public Archives, ICRC  

[Click here to download the full publication.]