The Civilian Uniform: How We Fit Into the Russo-Ukrainian War
BY ZIPPORAH ORBISI, CAPM
QUALITY ENGINEER AND CONSULTANT
Many people are wondering how a war thousands of miles away has crept into our conversations, routines and minds on a daily basis. Globalization is the short answer to this extremely complex question.
Americans, along with nearly 200 other sovereign nations, have banded together to form the United Nations, which has connected us since the end of World War II. This unified front was intended to protect the humanity of the world as best as possible from the scales of injustice that tipped in its favor prior to 1945. However, this formation in conjunction with technological advances has laid the groundwork for globalization, especially through capitalistic ventures, which has propelled globalization with great speed over the past six decades.
However, to understand our particular role in this war, as civilians, we must first understand its beginning.
In February of 2014 Ukraine went through the Revolution of Dignity (Maidan Protests). This revolution was a direct result of a decision regarding a free trade agreement with the EU. Ultimately the citizens of Ukraine ousted President Yanukovych, whom many considered corrupt and in league with Russian Oligarchs.
February 20, 2014 began the Russo-Ukranian war in the bordering cities of Crimea and Donbas. As a point of contention was one country's desire to relish in the spoils of globalization (Ukraine) and a World Power seeking to protect its population from some of the dangerous outputs of globalization (Russia).
Although globalization does have some unfortunate impacts—such as job displacement—it is a tool that has been accepted and practiced as a part of democracy. This means that, ideally, the people in each democracy would have a choice, and freewill to participate within the world's interconnected networks.
The Global North has been afforded many of the spoils that come with being a part of an international community. This is why as civilians we are subconsciously taking on the responsibility of providing aid to the people of Ukraine, in this war.
What we are hearing constantly on news networks is the toll this conflict is taking on Ukrainian families. Displaced families have been forced to seek refuge in bordering countries. Ukraine civilians are caught in the cross hairs of the conflict, and the strength of their resolve to remain an independent and democratic country is being tested. Yet the reason you and I are hearing about it so often is because through globalization we have become interwoven with the people of Ukraine, even if at best they feel like a distant cousin.
What anyone located in the Global North is feeling right now—with rising fuel prices, and alarm regarding the state of democracy—is our interdependence on Ukraine and Russia. If Ukraine succeeds we reap the benefits of balance, and return back to life as we knew it, as soon as possible. However, if Ukraine does not succeed, we will also reap the detrimental effects of inflation, potential stock market lulls, a fear of nuclear strikes, and a general sadness for a community of displaced persons yearning for a choice, who desire to exercise control of their lives and the ability to shape their own national identity.
"Ukraine Soldier" by U.S. Army Europe (marked with CC PDM 1.0).
So how do we as civilians living outside of the borders contribute? As with any test that we stand to face, we must first seek to arm ourselves with the knowledge needed to be triumphant.
Before we can fight, give aid, or donate we must first seek to truly understand the many facets of this subject:
History: Why are the Ukranians (civilians) so determined and strong-willed in this fight?
Politics: How our influence on our government impacts their next steps in this fight?
Finance: What are the options for displaced refugees? And do they have enough resources available to them? Are there any barriers to access?
For those of us situated in the Global North, the ability to answer those questions is at our fingertips, a little more than several clicks away. And that is where our fight lies first!
With the right knowledge we can know exactly how useful we can be with our next steps.
Whether you ultimately choose to attend a peace protest (virtual or in-person), donate to an effort you believe in, or simply by spreading the knowledge you have gained through conversations with friends and family.
We must dress for this war, armed with knowledge. And realize that many of us have been afforded the luxury of the freedom to learn, grow, and choose our path to societal contribution on a global scale.
Is Localisation Just Another Form of Tokenism?
BY CARA-MARIE FINDLAY
PRINCIPAL
Localisation seems to be one of the latest buzzwords in the field of Development. And as is the case with many other terms—for example, “participatory”, and even “Development” itself—there is no standard definition.
In order to properly define the ideal of localisation, one should consider when and how localisation made it to the international Development agenda.
USAID Administrator, Samantha Power, was sworn into office as the 19th Administrator of USAID on May 3, 2021. On 4th of November 2021, Administrator Power gave a speech at George Town University, in which she said:
“…if we truly want to make aid inclusive, local voices need to be at the center of everything we do.”
However, Administrator Power’s comment is not the first time, a prominent figure in the field has spoken on this need.
At the 2016 World Humanitarian Summit, then UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stated that Development, and humanitarian action on a whole should be:
“as local as possible, [and] as international as necessary.”
Ideally, the localisation of Development would look like a shift in funding, power, and responsibilities of Development efforts towards more “grassroots” and other community-based organisations (CBOs). Thus, community members would be the decision-makers of the programs and services that support the needs they have identified; and they would be consulted at every stage of the project, from design through implementation.
Unfortunately, simply talking about the need for localisation is not enough to make it a reality.
Numerous practitioners in the Global South have spoken about the need for more equitable treatment within the Development and aid industries for years (the decolonisation of Development), before localisation ever made it to international agendas.
But when does the “good idea” of localisation become just another form of tokenism (a symbolic gesture meant more to deflect criticism than to actually accomplish a goal)?
Maha Shuayb makes a good case that the localisation agenda could simply be “a convenient response to increasing calls for the [Development and] aid sector to decolonise.”
Unless we decolonise Development and deal with its extractive practices and its colonial heritage, the ideal of localisation will never be realised.
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