A paradigm shift
CERAR proposes to integrate cultural sensitivity into all humanitarian initiatives to create an operational awareness of the diversity and complexity of cultures through dialogues and a common openness.
The objective is not to replace one culture with another but to find the right balance between humanitarian principles (humanitarian culture), organizational cultures, local cultures in their daily expression in order to take this complexity into account, as well that everyone’s strengths and needs.
The objective is to find the right balance between humanitarian principles (humanitarian culture), organizational cultures, local cultures in their daily expression
Different tools based on intercultural communication, participatory logic or building trust have been developed and used widely in the humanitarian sector. These tools have made it possible to refocus the approaches a little more on the affected communities and to restore them to their roles as social actors. These efforts are commendable but can be further deepened with the paradigm shift proposed by CERAR.
CERAR advocates for the integration of local communities in decision-making on the orientations, designs and achievements of projects, but also for the construction of local humanitarian knowledge
He advocates for the integration not only of local communities in decision-making on the orientations, designs and achievements of projects, but also for the construction of local humanitarian knowledge in order to establish a contextualized model and proximity. This goes beyond the appropriation of projects, it is really thanks to cultural sensitivity and dialogue to jointly create local humanitarian knowledge.
