When the west falls into crisis

#BlackLivesMatter, COVID-19, and the fragility of democratic institutions in America are converging to challenge our assumptions of how we define a crisis. The globalisation of vulnerability – made clear by the coronavirus pandemic and a global anti-racism movement – is putting into question traditional conceptions of humanitarian aid too. As suffering and violations of rights in the West become more visible, it’s hard to argue that “we” are helping “them”. And many of those communities in need are looking for social justice and functioning institutions, not bags of rice and plastic sheeting. Will this historic moment force a rethink of international solidarity?

With food for thought from Washington, DC and New York:
- Candace Rondeaux, who spent years as an analyst with the International Crisis Group before joining the Center on the Future of War and New America’s International Security Program as senior fellow.
- Award-winning writer and filmmaker Uzodinma Iweala, CEO of The Africa Center.
- Aid worker and member of Black Women in Development, Angela Bruce-Raeburn, regional advocacy director for Africa at the Global Health Advocacy Incubator.
- Abby Maxman, CEO of Oxfam America. And additional insights from Nairobi and Geneva:
- Cartoonist and political commentator Patrick Gathara. - Degan Ali, CEO of Adeso.
- Humanitarian foresight advisor Aarathi Krishnan.

Moderated by: - Heba Aly, Director of The New Humanitarian