Tragedy? When humanitarian language becomes oppressive | Rethinking Humanitarianism

 Is it problematic to call human suffering a "tragedy"? Even well-intentioned humanitarian language can harm, says Heidi Mogstad, senior researcher at the Chr. Michelsen Institute in Norway. She argues that the language humanitarians use can perpetuate systems of violence that cause crises. In this episode, Mogstad gives examples of counter-productive language, and discusses ways to improve.   Guests:    Heidi Mogstad, senior researcher at the Chr. Michelsen Institute in Norway.   Got a question or feedback? Email [email protected] or post on social media using the hashtag #RethinkingHumanitarianism.   Show Notes:   Oppressive Language and Humanitarian Complicity: Reflections on Gaza and European Border Violence

Decolonise How? is a new podcast by The New Humanitarian that examines the stories we tell about humanitarian crises. Join host Patrick Gathara as he gathers journalists, humanitarians, researchers, and affected communities into the same conversation. They debate the crisis in crisis reporting – and talk about how things could be done differently. 

AI and new tech in crises: When is technology a force for good, and when are we piling on the problems in humanitarian response? In this episode, experts unpack why technology is never neutral, the fallback on "techno-utopian" solutions, and the risk of "techno-colonialism" and why it matters.   Guests:    Mirca Madianou, professor in the School of Media, Communications and Cultural Studies at Goldsmiths, University of London, and author of "Technocolonialism: When Technology for Good is Harmful".   Nathaniel Raymond, executive director of the Humanitarian Research Lab at the Yale School of Public Health.   Rana F. Sweis, journalist and founder and managing director of WishBox Media.   Got a question or feedback? Email [email protected] or post on social media using the hashtag #RethinkingHumanitarianism.

Humanitarians have a "burnout culture", experts say. They work long hours in difficult environments. They're trying to help people in the worst moments of their lives. In the middle of today's funding crisis, they're also deciding who gets aid and who does not. In this episode, humanitarians and experts in mental health or wellbeing  talk about what's driving  high rates of burnout, how people can identify it and take action, and what organisations must do better to help their staff.   Guests:    Javid Abdelmoneim, international president of Médecins Sans Frontières   Nancy Nyambura, regional staff counsellor at Médecins Sans Frontières   Gemma Houldey, author of The Vulnerable Humanitarian: Ending Burnout Culture in the Aid Sector   Got a question or feedback? Email [email protected] or post on social media using the hashtag #RethinkingHumanitarianism.   Show notes: The Vulnerable Humanitarian: Ending Burnout Culture in the Aid Sector   https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0010440X24000920  

Myanmar's persecuted Rohingya community are waiting for justice. A landmark genocide case at the International Court of Justice is a major step. In this episode, Noor Azizah, a survivor who heads a Rohingya civil society group, tells her family's story of being driven from their homeland. She explains why today's Rohingya trial paved the way for other atrocity crime cases, and discusses humanitarians' complex role delivering aid in Myanmar.   Guests:    Noor Azizah, co-executive director of the Rohingya Maìyafuìnor Collaborative Network   Got a question or feedback? Email [email protected] or post on social media using the hashtag #RethinkingHumanitarianism.   Show notes: The Rohingya: The exodus isn't over

Protests have spread across Iran, and the fallout is rapidly evolving. In this episode, Hamid Dabashi, Iranian-American author and professor of Iranian studies and comparative literature at Columbia University, explains the wider historic context and evolution of these protests. He helps host Tammam Aloudat think through the nuance of opposing an abusive government while also rejecting imperialism – whether that be in Venezuela, Iran, or the al-Assad regime in Syria. And Dabashi discusses what humanitarians might pay attention to as events unfold.   Guests:    Hamid Dabashi, Iranian-American author and professor of Iranian studies and comparative literature at Columbia University   Got a question or feedback? Email [email protected] or post on social media using the hashtag #RethinkingHumanitarianism.

The crisis of illiberalism. The global gender backlash. Aid blind spots. Gaza and the failure of international law. Our guests have taken on difficult topics, but they've also come up with ideas on how to move forward. In this episode: Key takeaways to navigate today's challenges, and the issues driving conversations in 2026.   Guests:  Anjali Dayal, assistant professor of international politics at Fordham University Saskia Brechenmacher, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace's Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program Sana Bég, executive director, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Canada Hourie Tafech, director for refugee leadership and partnerships at Refugees International  Tammam Aloudat, CEO of The New Humanitarian Levi Sharpe, Rethinking Humanitarianism producer   Got a question or feedback? Email [email protected] or post on social media using the hashtag #RethinkingHumanitarianism.  

The UN has a new refugee chief: Barham Salih is the former president of Iraq. He takes over as high commissioner for refugees in January 2026. Salih may be a surprise pick. The head of UNHCR, the UN's refugee agency, has almost always been a European. Just as rare: The new refugee chief has actually been a refugee. But does a change at the top really address the power imbalances refugees face in the aid sector? Revisit our series, Power Shift, which puts decision-makers – and those affected by their choices – at the same table.  In this episode, Hafsar Tameesuddin, a Rohingya activist and refugee, speaks to Raouf Mazou, a senior UNHCR official. They talk about passports and privilege, and try to find common ground. ––– Power Shift is an experiment in dialogue that puts decision-makers in aid and philanthropy and those affected by their decisions in honest, one-on-one conversations about the aid sector's inequalities. ___ Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, or YouTube, or search "The New Humanitarian" in your favourite podcast app.   You can find transcripts of all podcasts on our website. Are you or anyone you know interested in participating in future Power Shift conversations? Email us with the subject line 'POWER SHIFT".  

When countries can commit genocide or invade neighbours with few repercussions, it's clear that international norms and laws are not working. On the podcast, three legal experts discuss the problems and some steps forward, from decentralised ways of enforcing criminal law, to including non-state actors, to erasing the legal loopholes used to justify violence. Guests:  Neve Gordon, professor of international law and human rights at Queen Mary University of London and a fellow of the British Academy of Social Sciences. He has written extensively about the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, the bombing of healthcare facilities, and coined the term "medical lawfare." Oona Hathaway, professor of international law at Yale Law School who has been a member of the Advisory Committee on International Law for the legal adviser at the US Department of State since 2005 and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations since 2011. She is working on a book titled "War Unbound: Gaza, Ukraine, and the Breakdown of International Law". Michael Addo, law professor at the University of Notre Dame and lawyer with expertise in international human rights law and international business policy. The UN Human Rights Council appointed him in 2011 to join its Working Group on Business and Human Rights, which he currently chairs. Got a question or feedback? Email [email protected] or post on social media using the hashtag #RethinkingHumanitarianism.

The UN's high commissioner for refugees, Filippo Grandi, finishes his term at the end of the year. As with most top UN roles, picking the next UN refugee chief is far from transparent. What's different this time around? Refugee-led organisations held rare public forums with some of the candidates. Co-organiser Hourie Tafech joins host Tammam Aloudat to talk about the race to lead the UN refugee agency, how to make the selection more transparent, and what refugees want from a new UNHCR boss. Guests:  Hourie Tafech, director for refugee leadership and partnerships at Refugees International Got a question or feedback? Email [email protected] or post on social media using the hashtag #RethinkingHumanitarianism.