CALL FOR PAPERS SPECIAL ISSUE ON CURRENT ISSUES IN INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIANISM Development in Practice developmentinpractice.org Development in Practice offers practice-based analysis and research concerning the social dimensions of development and humanitarianism, and provides a forum for debate and the exchange of ideas among practitioners, policy makers, academics, and activists worldwide. By challenging current assumptions, the journal seeks to stimulate new thinking and to shape future ways of working. Contributors represent a wide range of cultural and professional backgrounds and experience. Editor-in-Chief: Deborah Eade, Oxfam GB Guest Editor: Tony Vaux, Humanitarian Initiatives Background Since the end of the Cold War, Western governments have been more willing to take firm action and intervene with military force in situations that they deem threatening either to local people or to global security. Very often, both concerns are mixed together. This creates uncertainty for humanitarian actors, who do not always know whether they are responding to local needs or Western political agendas. This makes it difficult to maintain traditional principles of independence, impartiality, and neutrality. These trends have been exacerbated by the Global War on Terror, following the events of 11 September 2001. Because most international NGOs rely heavily on Western government funding, they find themselves having to follow priorities that bear little relationship to the global pattern of need and afraid that they are being manipulated for political ends. There have been claims that humanitarianism is dead. These debates have taken place in the West and largely among male Western commentators. Are there other perspectives and new ideas? This issue will link the dominant perspectives to others that are less often heard – those who live outside the West and the affected people themselves. We would therefore especially welcome contributions offering non-Western perspectives on current issues in international humanitarianism, and written by or in collaboration with non-Western authors. Contributions are invited under the following broad headings: 1 Globalisation  How do Western political interests interact with humanitarianism? How has ‘coherence’ affected the different actors, notably donors, the UN, and international NGOs? Have the international NGOs stood out against the ‘politicisation’ of aid? Is humanitarianism an extension of Western hegemony? Has anything changed? 2 ‘Their’ needs or ‘our’ interests? To what extent do allocations of aid match the pattern of humanitarian need? What are the implications of an imbalance? How is this perceived around the world? What should be done about it? 3 Witness Humanitarian disasters repeat themselves, as has happened in Ethiopia and Sudan. Does this mean that humanitarianism has failed? Is there a greater need for advocacy and protection rather than relief? What is the role of the media in this? 4 Commercialisation What is the basis of legitimacy for humanitarian aid today? Are aid agencies dominated by a desire for larger incomes and higher profile? Can they be replaced by commercial contractors? 5 Working with security forces What have aid agencies learnt about working with the military? Are there different concepts of security? How is such cooperation viewed by local agencies and people? Can principles of neutrality and impartiality still apply? Case study? 6. Regulation and Rights Is there a future for traditional principles? What attempts are being made to defend humanitarianism? Where have we got to on Codes, standards, transparency, and accountability? Rights-based approaches? 7. Relief and development Is the relationship of humanitarian relief and development changing? How do agencies work in situations of chronic instability? Are there links through a ‘sustainable livelihoods’ approach? Can the concept of human security be separated from state and global security? Case Study? 8. INGOs and NGOs Is the relationship between international and national NGOs changing? How do national NGOs view the process? What evidence is there for what  people in need think? How can their influence be strengthened? Case study? 9. Perceptions Is humanitarianism a Western idea? How is it perceived around the world? Why are the UN and ICRC attacked? How are faith-based groups reacting to the War on Terror? What is the Islamic perspective? What other models of humanitarian response are there? 10. Women’s perspectives Is humanitarianism a gendered concept? How does current thinking, dominated by Western men, affect policy and practice? What are the experiences and perspectives of women?  SUBMISSION PROCEDURES ABSTRACTS: 22 October 2004 FIRST DRAFTS OF INVITED PAPERS: 15 April 2005 FINAL REVISIONS: 2 September 2005 JOURNAL ISSUE: June 2006 (Volume 16, Numbers 3&4) Authors should initially submit an abstract (100-300 words) of their proposed submission, stating whether this would be a full-length article (maximum 6500 words) or a shorter piece (1500-3000 words). The abstract should include (a) the title of the paper, (b) a summary of the paper’s content, and (c) the names, affiliations, and full contact details of the author(s). Abstracts should be sent as an email attachment to editor@developmentinpractice.org with ‘Current issues in humanitarianism’ in the subject line of the message. Alternatively, they should be sent by fax to +44 (0)1865 312393, marked for the attention of the Editor-in-Chief. Abstracts and selected papers may be submitted in English, French, Portuguese, or Spanish. Submission of an abstract is taken to indicate that it describes original, unpublished work, and that the author is committed to publishing it in Development in Practice should s/he be invited to submit a paper. Development in Practice is a peer-reviewed journal, so such an invitation does not guarantee acceptance. The journal’s presentational requirements are outlined in the Notes for Contributors. These are available at developmentinpractice.org, or on request, and must be followed. Please address general queries to enquiry@developmentinpractice.org or to Editor-in-Chief, Development in Practice, c/o Oxfam GB, 274 Banbury Road, Oxford OX2 7DZ, UK.

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