NOHA Summer School 2018: Humanitarian Action in the 21st Century / Copenhagen

This summer course will provide you with an introduction to the theories and practices of humanitarian action in a global perspective: its historical and legal foundations, the international system in place to support it, different typologies of humanitarian crises, challenges and trends, as well as possible career paths in the field.

The course encourages critical reflection on humanitarian action and lessons learnt from contemporary humanitarian crises by providing participants with an overview of the historical, conceptual as well as operational aspects of humanitarian intervention.

Claus Sørensen, Director-General of the European Commission's Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department (ECHO), speaking at NOHA Summer School Copenhagen 2014 about Humanitarian Action from the ECHO and Donor perspective.

Combination of online and campus learning

The first two weeks are part-time online distance learning and introduces learning resources, participants and facilitators to foster interaction and dialogue. The next two weeks on campus include a range of interactive learning- as well as social activities: facilitator-led presentations and self-assessment exercises, on-line fora, real-life case studies, role-play, student wikis to support the learning process, and site visits with high-level experts and practitioners.

Intended learning outcomes

At the end of the course participants should be able to:

• Describe the Nordic and international actors, organizations and systems in the field of humanitarian action;
• Analyze and discuss the various typologies of disasters and humanitarian responses (including wars, natural hazards, complex emergencies);
• Understand, evaluate and critique different types of humanitarian intervention (e.g. feeding programs, cluster surveys, programme design, advocacy efforts, etc.);
• Critically examine the paradoxes and dilemmas of the changing humanitarian landscape through multiple perspectives and academic disciplines
• Build and sustain professional relationships and networks

Target audience

Masters and final-year Bachelors students at the University of Copenhagen in any field of study and with an interest in humanitarian action, as well as external students and professionals who wish to acquire the fundamentals of HA

The number of participants is limited to a maximum of 45.