2004 UC Proceedings Abstract
What Makes Information Humanitarian? Do We Need a Paradigm Change? Track: Sustainable Development and Humanitarian Affairs Author(s): Shawn Messick The development of "humanitarian information" has evolved from an admixture of principles, policies and organizational politics. As a solution the aid community point to a number of "information" and "learning" initiatives underway, but these also are misunderstood and taken out of context. Well meaning and motivated individuals moved the issue forward. The United Nations' Brahimi Report trumpeted the benefits of applied GIS in the context of peacekeeping, relief and development efforts. However GIS implementation in Afghanistan floundered under his leadership. In Iraq, there is still no ability to know where anything was or what had been done. The advent of information tools, such as GIS, place the aid community in equal need of assistance and capacity building as those they seek to help, raising questions as to their credibility. This presentation discusses the concept and practice of information in the aid community and suggests possible new directions. Shawn Messick Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation Information Management & Mine Action Programs 312 Brookside Ave Redlands , CA 92373 US Phone: 909 307 9633 Fax: 909 307 9644 E-mail: smessick@vi.org |
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