University of Sussex
Browse

[Introduction] Citizen Aid: grassroots interventions in development and humanitarianism

Download (555.21 kB)
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 18:46 authored by Anne-Meike FechterAnne-Meike Fechter, Anke SchwittayAnke Schwittay
The introduction to this collection brings together, under the umbrella terms of citizen aid and grassroots humanitarianism, interdisciplinary research on small-scale, privately funded forms of aid and development. It notes the steady rise of these activities, including in the Global South as well as North, such as in the context of the recent European refugee crisis. It considers their position vis-à-vis more institutionalised forms of aid; methodological approaches and their challenges; and asks what political dimensions these initiatives may have. It outlines key themes arising from the contributions to the collection, including historical perspectives on ‘demotic humanitarianism’, questions of legitimacy and their apparent lack of professionalisation, motivations of their founders, the role of personal connections, as well as the importance of digital media for brokerage and fundraising. Being mindful of its critiques and implicit power imbalances, it suggests that citizen aid deserves more systematic academic attention.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Accepted version

Journal

Third World Quarterly

ISSN

0143-6597

Publisher

Taylor and Francis

Issue

10

Volume

40

Page range

1769-1780

Department affiliated with

  • Anthropology Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Editors

Anke Schwittay, Anne-Meike Fechter

Legacy Posted Date

2019-08-27

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2021-03-10

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2019-08-27

Usage metrics

    University of Sussex (Publications)

    Categories

    No categories selected

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC