Sust-AID-ability: Does Aid Really Help?

This event will examine the nuanced and complex relationship between sustainability, and development and humanitarian aid. This is an increasing concern given the rising incidence of natural disasters and the growing disparity in aggregate wealth between communities. According to Masoda Bano in “International Aid: Eroding sustainable community volunteering?", even though humanitarian and development projects/programs have multiplied exponentially in recent years, there is little proven substantial impact on changing the lives of people. Critical issues such as dependency, inflation, and corruption can result. The issue of sustainability in humanitarian aid and development is two-fold: the joint UNEP and OCHA Envrionment Unit reports that these "operations have a high risk of negatively impacting on the environment, the effects of which may be far reaching and long-lasting, affecting not only the physical environment but also the health, well-being and livelihoods of affected and host communities and increasing the risk for secondary or future disasters". Therefore, our distinguished speaker panel for this event will examine the core issues of environmental and social sustainability relevant to humanitarian aid and development and how best to approach these issues. We will gain a comprehensive understanding of why these sustainability issues arise, and their impact. From here the speakers will introduce their research examining issues surrounding the impacts of development and aid. We will be given the opportunity to quizz the speakers and provide our own perspective for the group to analyse and discuss! This event is free and accessible: all are welcome. Please sign up via eventbrite or you may not be eligible to attend because ticket numbers are quite limited. Hope to see you there! If you have any queries or concerns, or any accessibility needs or dietary requirements, please don't hesitate to contact Poppy.Perry-Evans@anu.edu.au

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Location

Theatre 5, X005 Childers Street, 2601 Acton,

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