A Symbolic Approach to Humanitarian Action: It Takes One to Know One

This book presents an alternative view of humanitarian action by invoking the idea that it is also a cognitive process. It builds upon Institutional Logics to show how individuals make sense of their reality and how this influences their decisions in post-disaster situations. The book aims to bridge the gap between research and practice by translating academic knowledge into an accessible format for practitioners.

Format: Hardback
Length: 154 pages
Publication date: 14 October 2022
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

This book aims to present an alternative view of humanitarian action, departing from traditional views that consider humanitarian interventions as concrete human activities aimed at providing relief to disaster victims. Instead, it invokes the idea that humanitarian action is also a cognitive process, where both humanitarians and disaster survivors unknowingly apply historically, societally, and culturally defined symbolic constructions to make sense of post-disaster information and make decisions. In the specific case of humanitarian workers, these symbolic constructions influence how they understand their post-disaster reality, including how they relate to those they consider to be in pain or distress.

This alternative approach to humanitarian action builds upon a robust theoretical framework called Institutional Logics, which helps us identify and interpret how individuals make sense of their reality. By bringing the complex world of the individual into a discussion that generally considers the organization as the unit of analysis, this book offers a unique perspective on humanitarian action. It makes it easy to see that objective and verifiable post-disaster information is a necessary but not sufficient condition to design humanitarian interventions, let alone assess their value and benefits.

To bridge the gap between research and practice in humanitarian action, this book aims to translate academic knowledge into an accessible format that can be used by practitioners to improve their work on the ground. It provides insights into the cognitive processes that underlie humanitarian decision-making, offering practical tools and strategies for practitioners to enhance their effectiveness in responding to disasters. By adopting a symbolic approach to humanitarian action, practitioners can better understand the complex dynamics of disaster response and develop more responsive and effective interventions that prioritize the needs and well-being of disaster survivors.

In conclusion, this book aims to present an alternative view of humanitarian action, emphasizing the cognitive processes that underlie humanitarian decision-making and the role of symbolic constructions in shaping how humanitarians and disaster survivors understand their post-disaster reality. By bridging the gap between research and practice, it provides practitioners with valuable insights and tools to improve their work on the ground and enhance the impact of their interventions.

Weight: 448g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031169854
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022