1. Humanitarian civil-military coordination Disaster preparedness and response
‘Soft-power & Its Influence on Global Issues’
Dr. Christopher Ankersen | 1 August 2016 | Colombo Defence Seminar 2016

2. What is humanitarianism? What is CMCoord? Moving forward
Outline
What is soft power?
What is humanitarianism?
What is CMCoord?
Moving forward

3. “pull power, not push power”
What is soft-power?
SOFT-POWER
“Soft power is the ability to affect the behavior of others by influencing their preferences.”
(Joseph Nye 2004)
“pull power, not push power”

4. Based on a theory of action
how does it work?
SOFT-POWER
Based on a theory of action
“In situation S, to achieve consequence C, do action A.”
“After a disaster, to influence the behaviour of others, provide assistance.”

5. What are
its elements?
SOFT-POWER
“civilian instruments of national security – diplomacy, strategic communications, foreign assistance, civic action and economic reconstruction and development.”
(Robert Gates 2011)

6. Currencies of soft-power: gratitude admiration shared-ideals
What does one
get out of it?
SOFT-POWER
Currencies of soft-power:
gratitude
admiration
shared-ideals
(Melissa Forster 2015)

7. Does it ‘scale’? Is it robust? How do we measure it?
Some considerations
SOFT-POWER
Power to do what?
Does it ‘scale’? Is it robust?
How do we measure it?
What does it cost?
What about competition?

8. What is
humanitarianism?
HUMANITARIANISM
(UN General Assembly 2011)

9. CONcerns
HUMANITARIANISM
Perceptions of militarization of the humanitarian space.
(Colin Powell 2001)
“…we have the best relationship with the NGOs who are such a force multiplier for us, such an important part of our combat team.”

10. CONcerns
HUMANITARIANISM
There is a need for principled humanitarian action
“There are multiple pressures on humanitarian actors to compromise humanitarian principles, such as providing humanitarian aid as part of efforts to achieve political ends.”

11. What is the need for cm-Coord?
Recognition of key role militaries play through their ability to rapidly mobilize and deploy unique assets and expertise in response to specifically identified requirements.
Imperative to respect host country sovereignty and lead role in response

12. what is humanitarian
cm-Coord?
CM Coord
Facilitates dialogue & interaction between civilian and military actors [in order to]
protect/promote humanitarian principles
avoid competition
minimize inconsistency
when appropriate, pursue common goals

13. UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance (OCHA)
who does it
and what is it?
CM Coord
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance (OCHA)
Dialogue
Information exchange
Negotiations in critical areas
Guidance
Monitoring activity

14. upcoming initiatives Second Session 11-12 October Bangkok, Thailand
Moving Forward
Second Session
11-12 October
Bangkok, Thailand
Development of
Common Humanitarian Civil-Military Coordination Standards