Global Health and Humanitarianism

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/health-humanitarianism

Introduction

### Course Review: Global Health and Humanitarianism on Coursera The "Global Health and Humanitarianism" course on Coursera is a comprehensive exploration of two crucial areas that, while distinct, increasingly intersect in today's global landscape. Over the span of six weeks, this MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) aims to provide learners with a foundational understanding of global health, the principles of humanitarianism, and the ethical dilemmas that arise in these interconnected fields. This review will delve into the course's structure, content, and overall value, and will conclude with a recommendation for prospective students. #### Course Overview The course is designed to provide an engaging and thought-provoking experience, with a unique blend of theoretical and practical insights into global health and humanitarian matters. Each of the six weeks is thoughtfully organized around three key themes, allowing for an in-depth exploration of the subjects. 1. **What is Global Health? (Weeks 1-2)** The course begins by dissecting the question, "What is Global Health?" Various perspectives are presented via keynote speakers and supplementary materials such as videos and articles. This thematic block is particularly effective in its approach, encouraging learners to critically examine and define global health while considering diverse viewpoints. 2. **Global Health Definitions, Case Studies, and Evolution (Weeks 3-4)** Building on the initial exploration, the next phase revisits the concepts introduced previously while delving deeper into the evolution of global health terminology. It highlights the roles of major organizations and the impact of private entities, making it clear how intertwined the landscape of global health has become. 3. **Humanitarian Response (Weeks 5-6)** Transitioning into humanitarian crisis response, this section examines the different types of hazards and how vulnerabilities can lead to disasters. It emphasizes the organization of disaster responses and explores who plays pivotal roles in these scenarios, providing students with a well-rounded view of the effectiveness of humanitarian efforts. 4. **Humanitarian Dilemmas** The course opens up critical discussions regarding ethical challenges faced by humanitarian organizations, such as accountability and the moral implications of intervention. This segment not only heightens awareness of the complexities involved in humanitarian actions but also fosters critical thinking. 5. **The Right to Humanitarian Assistance** The examination of humanitarian assistance rights highlights the global interconnectedness that defines modern crises. This module emphasizes the importance of recognizing the rights of those affected by both natural disasters and conflicts, thereby reinforcing the urgency of effective humanitarian response mechanisms. 6. **Responsibility to Protect (R2P)** The final session addresses the nuanced and sometimes controversial concept of R2P. It challenges participants to consider the ethical obligations of states and organizations in protecting vulnerable populations, culminating the course with thought-provoking discussions on sovereignty and intervention. #### Practical Insights The course does an exceptional job of utilizing various educational platforms, blending video narrations, expert insights, and external readings to enrich the learning experience. The mix of theoretical grounding with real-world case studies allows students to apply their learning to contemporary global health and humanitarian issues. Additionally, the collaborative aspect of the course encourages dialogue among participants, promoting a community of shared learning. As discussions unfold, students have the opportunity to engage with peers from diverse backgrounds, which can enhance understanding of different cultural contexts and relevant challenges in the field. #### Recommendation I highly recommend the "Global Health and Humanitarianism" course on Coursera for anyone interested in understanding the critical intersections between global health and humanitarian responses. Whether you are a student, a professional looking to expand your knowledge, or simply an individual passionate about these topics, this course offers valuable insights that are both academically rigorous and practically relevant. The structure is clear, the content is thoughtfully prepared, and the expert contributions provide a rich tapestry of knowledge. Engaging with this course will not only enhance your understanding of global health and humanitarian principles but also empower you to contribute meaningfully to ongoing conversations and actions in these vital fields.

Syllabus

What is Global Health?

These first two weeks will introduce you to the concept of global health through a range of perspectives from three keynote speakers, draw out some of their key thoughts, explore these with examples, and determine whether we can clearly conclude upon a definition of Global Health. We will be using various educational platforms to navigate the question 'What is Global Health?' - some short video narrations from me, expert thoughts from our three keynote speakers and some external documentary videos and articles.

We will first re-visit part of last week's keynote video and discuss their thoughts on what global health is, and bring particular focus to the origin and evolution of the term, the main organisations and agencies involved in global health and the influence of private and commercial organisations on global health.

This week we will consider what gives rise to a humanitarian emergency. We will look at different types of hazard, and how these combine with vulnerability to give rise to a disaster. We will then go on to think about how responses to such phenomena are organised: Who undertakes these? What phases do they go through?

Last week we looked at the nature of 'disasters' and examined a possible set of humanitarian responses to disaster. We concluded by considering the problem of mitigation, leading us to complex ethical questions that make the main focus of the course this week. In particular we will look at the way humanitarian agencies bear witness to the actions of others, and the problem, or requirement, of holding people accountable for these actions.

In the previous weeks of this course, you learned about the origins, key agencies and different approaches of humanitarianism. As the world becomes more interconnected as a result of globalisation, increased migration and technology, disasters (both natural and man-made) are no longer of local but global concern. The right to assistance for those affected by armed conflict and natural disasters is at the forefront of humanitarian action.

Moving on from last week, where we examined the right to humanitarian assistance and the obstacles and challenges surrounding its practice, this week we explore another controversial issue within humanitarianism: the responsibility to protect, or more commonly known as R2P.