1. Convergence and Divergence of Humanitarian Action “Jointly Addressing Challenges to Humanitarian Aid” Conference Dr Miwa Hirono 广野美和 Ritsumeikan University 立命馆大学 hirono-1@fc.ritsumei.ac.jp

2. Convergence and Divergence What are they? A New framework – Who is perceived as a legitimate humanitarian actor? – Why do they act? – Who do they help? – How and when do they act?

3. Conventional understanding

4. Convergence and divergence should be…

5. A new framework … that facilitates the development of a more inclusive conceptualization of the humanitarian world … that does not privilege established definitions of legitimate humanitarianism (i.e.,the four principles) …that provides a platform for critical dialogue among us

6. The framework consists of the four questions: – Who is perceived as a legitimate humanitarian actor? – Why do they act? – Who do they help? – How and when do they act?

7. disclaimers!! Comparison between the international and Chinese approaches is based on the more inclusive conception of the humanitarian world (not on the conventional dichotomy) Contents on the “international (West)” is only a simplistic thought experiment (to generate our dialogue!)

8. 1. Who is perceived as a legitimate humanitarian actor? (A primary actor?) International (West?) Non-state actors such as ICRC and NGOs State/military possibly perceived as a self-interested actor (but they still act) Chinese State as a moral agent Traditionally, the unity of state and society emphasised Military Rise of NGOs (esp. domestic scenery)

9. 2. Why do they act (or not act)? International (West?) National interests Compassion (Christian tradition) Human rights as the contemporary standard of civilization? Chinese National interests Shared vulnerability to natural disaster Shared history (relevance to the principle of non- interference)

10. 3. Who do they help? International (West?) In various places (but with more focus on places with media attention!) Chinese Within China Neighbouring regions (Asia Pacific) Natural disasters (less complex emergency) But broadening

11. 4. How and when do they act? International (West?) Natural disasters and complex emergencies Reconstruction and development Multilateral channels Chinese Natural disasters Case-by-case for complex emergency (depending on national interests) Reconstruction and development for complex emergency State-to-state

12. Conclusive remarks Convergence and divergence should be understood in the inclusive framework It is important to not necessarily try to find convergence; but to recognise divergence as (potentially) legitimate but changing tradition Danger of essentialisation (what are “international”, “West”, and the “Chinese”?)