HONR 2047 Midterm-Final HW

USAID

The United States Agency for International Development, the largest funding agency for humanitarian and development aid worldwide.

Retrospective Impact Evaluation

An evaluation that looks back at data over a period of time to assess impact, in this case, of USAID on mortality from 2001 to 2021.

All-age Deaths Prevented

The total number of deaths averted due to USAID funding, estimated to be over 91 million from 2001 to 2021.

Under-five Mortality Rate

The proportion of deaths occurring in children under five years of age, significant reductions were noted due to USAID funding.

Gini Index

A statistical measure of distribution often used to gauge economic inequality, which was controlled for in the study.

Microsimulation Models

A research method used to assess the future effects of current policies by simulating individual-level data over time.

Multivariable Poisson Models

Statistical models used to estimate the impact of USAID funding on mortality while controlling for several demographic and socioeconomic factors.

Mortality from HIV/AIDS

Deaths caused by HIV/AIDS, which were significantly reduced by USAID interventions by 65%.

Forecasting Analysis

The component of the study that estimates future mortality outcomes based on different funding scenarios for USAID.

Development Assistance Committee (DAC)

An international body of the OECD that provides a platform for donor countries to coordinate their development efforts.

Conditional Cash Transfer

A type of economic incentive provided to individuals or families that meet certain conditions, which has been shown to reduce mortality.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

A collection of global goals established by the United Nations aimed at addressing worldwide issues including poverty and health by 2030.

Eurocentrism

A worldview centered on European cultures and values, often disregarding non-Western perspectives.

Coloniality

The perpetuation of colonial systems and structures of power into the present.

Decoloniality

An approach that seeks to understand and challenge the historical and systemic inequalities stemming from colonialism.

Liberal humanitarianism

A form of humanitarian action rooted in liberal values, emphasizing individual rights and moral obligations to alleviate human suffering.

Protagonismo

A concept highlighting the agency and voice of local populations in humanitarian interventions.

Humanitarian space

The operational environment in which humanitarian actors work, often dictated by political and social dynamics.

Normalization of violence

The acceptability of violence within societal or political frameworks, often justified by state interests.

Neutrality (in humanitarian context)

The principle that humanitarian organizations should not take sides in conflicts, maintaining impartiality.

Human Rights Activism

Efforts aimed at promoting and defending the basic rights and freedoms to which all humans are entitled.

Illiberal democracy

A governing system that is elected by vote but lacks basic civil rights and freedoms.

Humanitarian interventions

Actions taken by governments or organizations to prevent human suffering in conflict or disaster contexts.

Entitlement (in humanitarianism)

The inherent rights claimed by interveners over the beneficiaries of humanitarian assistance.

Dependency (in humanitarianism)

A condition where the beneficiaries of aid become reliant on external assistance for survival.

Critique of intervention

An analysis that questions the motives, effectiveness, and consequences of foreign assistance in local conflicts.

Scholarly marginalization

The relegating of certain perspectives, such as decolonial frameworks, to the periphery of academic discourse.

Neoliberalism

An economic and political approach emphasizing free markets, deregulation, and reduction in government spending.

USAID

U.S. Agency for International Development, which administers foreign aid.

Dependency

Reliance on foreign aid that can undermine local capacity and accountability.

Soft Power

The ability to attract and co-opt rather than coerce, influencing others through cultural or ideological means.

Foreign Assistance

Support and aid provided by one country to another, usually in the form of money, goods, or services.

Geostrategic Interests

National interests that are influenced by geography, such as political and military power.

Africa First agenda

A shift in U.S. foreign policy prioritizing America’s interests, potentially at the expense of foreign aid to Africa.

Civic Society

The aggregate of non-governmental organizations and institutions that represent the interests and will of the citizens.

Belt and Road Initiative

A global development strategy adopted by China, aimed at enhancing regional connectivity and embracing a brighter economic future.

Path Dependence

A process whereby certain options become more likely as a consequence of past decisions, often leading to a persistence of specific practices.

NGOs

Nongovernmental organizations that operate independently of the government, often focused on humanitarian, educational or social issues.

Humanitarianism

The belief in the equal moral worth of all human lives and the commitment to intervene where human suffering occurs.

Liberal World Order

The system of global governance and international relations that emerged after World War II, characterized by democratic governance and respect for human rights.

Post-Liberalism

A concept referring to the decline or questioning of liberal democratic principles and institutions in global governance.

Existential Choice

A critical decision faced by humanitarians regarding how to operate in a world without liberal institutions.

Human Rights

The fundamental rights entitled to every human being, often intersecting with humanitarian principles but distinct in their basis.

ICRC

International Committee of the Red Cross, an organization established to protect and assist victims of armed conflict and violence.

Impartiality

A principle in humanitarian action stating that aid should be given based on need alone, without discrimination based on nationality, race, or political opinion.

Neutrality

The commitment of humanitarian organizations not to take sides in hostilities or engage in debates about political, racial, religious, or ideological issues.

Sovereignty

The principle that states have the ultimate authority within their own borders, often in tension with international human rights norms.

Backlash

A reaction against established norms or ideologies, particularly against humanitarianism and human rights in recent global trends.

Normative Void

A state of lack regarding universally accepted norms of behavior, especially in the context of international law and humanitarian action.

R2P (Responsibility to Protect)

A global political commitment to prevent genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity.

Comparative Humanitarian Action

The practice of contrasting different approaches to humanitarian assistance and the influences of political and ethical contexts.

Non-Discrimination Principle

The ethical guideline that mandates equal treatment and care for all individuals, regardless of their background or situation.

Liberalism's Dark Side

The inherent contradictions and failures within liberal ideology, particularly in regard to humanitarian outcomes.

Global Humanitarian System

An interconnected framework of international actors, including NGOs and state governments, engaged in humanitarian assistance worldwide.

Eurocentrism

A worldview that centers European culture and history, often at the expense of non-Western perspectives.

Decoloniality

The process of deconstructing colonial ideologies and power structures, encouraging the recognition of non-Western experiences.

Humanitarianism

A philosophy or practice aimed at promoting the welfare and well-being of humanity, often through aid and assistance.

Anti-colonialism

Opposition to colonial rule and the ideologies that sustain it, advocating for the rights and autonomy of colonized peoples.

Coloniality

The enduring legacy and structural nature of colonial power that persists even after formal decolonization.

Fascism

An authoritarian and nationalistic far-right system of government and social organization.

Epistemology

The branch of philosophy concerned with knowledge, its nature, sources, and limits.

Protagonismo

The concept emphasizing the central role of local populations in their own governance and development, challenging external interventions.

Humanitarian intervention

Forcible action taken by external actors to protect human rights or provide assistance during crises.

Mass human suffering

Widespread and profound distress experienced by large groups, often linked to war, poverty, or oppression.

Localisation

The process of putting greater power and funding into the hands of local responders in humanitarian aid.

Colonial Legacy

The ongoing impacts and disparities resulting from past colonial policies and practices.

Grand Bargain

An agreement made at the 2016 World Humanitarian Summit aimed at reforming the humanitarian aid system.

Tokenism

The practice of making only a perfunctory or symbolic effort to include marginalized groups.

Global South

Countries in Africa, Latin America, Asia, and Oceania that are often depicted as developing or less economically developed.

Voice of the local

The concept that local individuals and communities should have a significant say in discussions and decisions affecting their lives.

Decolonisation

The process of undoing colonial influence, particularly in terms of power relations and systemic inequalities in aid.

Systemic Racism

A form of racism that is embedded in the laws and regulations of a society or an organization.

Aid Dependency

A condition where individuals or communities rely on external assistance for their survival and development.

Power Dynamics

The study of how power is distributed and exercised among individuals and groups in a society.

Decolonisation

A call to reform the humanitarian aid system or end aid altogether, reflecting discussions on aid reform.

Decolonised aid

Aid that is reimagined to potentially lead to more effective and equitable support for affected communities without colonial legacies.

Global governance system

The framework of international rules and institutions that govern trade, finance, and humanitarian action, notably influenced by organizations like the IMF and World Bank.

Localization

An agenda aimed at correcting the exclusion of local humanitarian actors in crisis-affected countries by increasing funding and partnerships with them.

World Humanitarian Summit (WHS)

A conference held in 2016 where 'localization' was established as a main commitment to reform the humanitarian aid system.

Humanitarian financing system

The way funds are allocated and managed in humanitarian aid, often seen as nonsensical and in need of reform.

Marginalized voices

The perspectives and needs of communities often overlooked or excluded in humanitarian decision-making and responses.

Equitable partnerships

Collaborative relationships in humanitarian aid that prioritize fairness and mutual benefit, particularly between local and international actors.

Executive Director of Adeso

Degan Ali, a prominent leader advocating for the decolonization of humanitarian aid.

Independent journalism

Reporting that is free from external control, emphasizing truth and accountability, especially in reporting humanitarian crises.

Localization

The shift of authority, power, and decision-making discretion from the international to the local level.

Grand Bargain

An agreement from the World Humanitarian Summit to enhance support and funding for local and national responders and other humanitarian goals.

Humanitarian System in Crisis

A situation characterized by lack of legitimacy and effectiveness in the humanitarian sector by the mid-2010s.

Participation Revolution

The inclusion of people receiving aid in the decision-making processes that affect their lives.

Impartiality

The principle of providing humanitarian assistance without any bias or favoritism.

Contextualized Knowledge

Understanding the unique circumstances and needs of local populations to improve humanitarian efforts.

Power Imbalances

Disparities in authority and influence between different stakeholders in humanitarian aid.

Capacity

The ability of local organizations and actors to effectively contribute to humanitarian action.

Accountability

The obligation of humanitarian organizations to answer to the communities they serve.

Socialization Process

The creation of a common worldview and purpose among members of humanitarian organizations.

Empathy

The ability to understand and share the feelings of another.

Isolationist Tendencies

A cultural attitude where individuals or groups prefer to withdraw from others, often leading to disconnection and division.

Scapegoat

A person or group blamed for the wrongdoings, mistakes, or faults of others, often used to divert attention from the actual issue.

Hyper-Competitive Culture

A societal model that prioritizes individual success and competition, often at the cost of collaborative efforts and emotional connections.

Masculine Energy

A term implying characteristics traditionally associated with masculinity, such as aggression and dominance, especially in corporate settings.

Cultural Strength

The perception of strength as being associated with aggressive and dominant behaviors, often neglecting emotional intelligence.