Discussions on locally-led humanitarian assistance amongst European INGOs and donors — shifting practices or challenging mental models?
This reflection piece explores the mental models underlying the formalized humanitarian system and the localization debates within it. The authors argue that these mental models draw on neoliberal and Eurocentric development logic that have been challenged in post-capitalist, post-development and p...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Geographical Society of Finland
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Fennia: International Journal of Geography |
| Online Access: | https://fennia.journal.fi/article/view/159961 |
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| _version_ | 1849688633776275456 |
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| author | Sever Dzigurski Cindy Horst |
| author_facet | Sever Dzigurski Cindy Horst |
| author_sort | Sever Dzigurski |
| collection | DOAJ |
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This reflection piece explores the mental models underlying the formalized humanitarian system and the localization debates within it. The authors argue that these mental models draw on neoliberal and Eurocentric development logic that have been challenged in post-capitalist, post-development and post-postcolonial theory. A demand for more radical transformation of the system would entail acknowledging other mental models that de-center the global north while at the same time creating space for conversations about power that recognize historically grounded, structural power inequalities. These alternative perspectives are grounded in a relational ethics that emphasizes interconnectedness and interdependence, is rooted in reciprocity, solidarity, and care, and values long-term relationships shaped by shared histories and collective futures. While at present, discussions on locally-led approaches often separate the realm of mental models and practical operationalisations, we argue that there are elements that connect the two — with mental models impacting ideas about technical solutions and vice versa.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-119288c4e09d42e2892e44b5ab2c4b2d |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1798-5617 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Geographical Society of Finland |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Fennia: International Journal of Geography |
| spelling | doaj-art-119288c4e09d42e2892e44b5ab2c4b2d2025-08-20T03:21:55ZengGeographical Society of FinlandFennia: International Journal of Geography1798-56172025-06-012031Discussions on locally-led humanitarian assistance amongst European INGOs and donors — shifting practices or challenging mental models? Sever Dzigurski0Cindy HorstIndependent This reflection piece explores the mental models underlying the formalized humanitarian system and the localization debates within it. The authors argue that these mental models draw on neoliberal and Eurocentric development logic that have been challenged in post-capitalist, post-development and post-postcolonial theory. A demand for more radical transformation of the system would entail acknowledging other mental models that de-center the global north while at the same time creating space for conversations about power that recognize historically grounded, structural power inequalities. These alternative perspectives are grounded in a relational ethics that emphasizes interconnectedness and interdependence, is rooted in reciprocity, solidarity, and care, and values long-term relationships shaped by shared histories and collective futures. While at present, discussions on locally-led approaches often separate the realm of mental models and practical operationalisations, we argue that there are elements that connect the two — with mental models impacting ideas about technical solutions and vice versa. https://fennia.journal.fi/article/view/159961 |
| spellingShingle | Sever Dzigurski Cindy Horst Discussions on locally-led humanitarian assistance amongst European INGOs and donors — shifting practices or challenging mental models? Fennia: International Journal of Geography |
| title | Discussions on locally-led humanitarian assistance amongst European INGOs and donors — shifting practices or challenging mental models? |
| title_full | Discussions on locally-led humanitarian assistance amongst European INGOs and donors — shifting practices or challenging mental models? |
| title_fullStr | Discussions on locally-led humanitarian assistance amongst European INGOs and donors — shifting practices or challenging mental models? |
| title_full_unstemmed | Discussions on locally-led humanitarian assistance amongst European INGOs and donors — shifting practices or challenging mental models? |
| title_short | Discussions on locally-led humanitarian assistance amongst European INGOs and donors — shifting practices or challenging mental models? |
| title_sort | discussions on locally led humanitarian assistance amongst european ingos and donors shifting practices or challenging mental models |
| url | https://fennia.journal.fi/article/view/159961 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT severdzigurski discussionsonlocallyledhumanitarianassistanceamongsteuropeaningosanddonorsshiftingpracticesorchallengingmentalmodels AT cindyhorst discussionsonlocallyledhumanitarianassistanceamongsteuropeaningosanddonorsshiftingpracticesorchallengingmentalmodels |