The Alliance UA CSO Hosts Dr Hugo Slim: Humanitarianism 2.0 and New Ethics
The Alliance UA CSO recently hosted a landmark event that brought together humanitarian thought, ethics, and practice. The guest of honour was Dr Hugo Slim, a leading global humanitarian thinker, lecturer at the University of Oxford, and author of Humanitarianism 2.0: New Ethics for the Climate Emergency. In his book, Dr Slim presents a forward-looking vision of humanitarian aid in the face of climate change, ethical dilemmas, and armed conflict.
Opening Remarks
The event was opened by Matthias Schmale, UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine, who set the tone for the discussion:
“We really need people like Hugo. We need minds that can analyse and rethink what we do. I think he is best known for his rationality and sharpness of mind. And pragmatism helps him rethink it all. The title of his book speaks for itself. And it’s great that you, Hugo, constantly challenge us — we need to rethink everything.”
Keynote Presentation
In his keynote, Dr Slim not only introduced the core ideas of his book but also expressed strong solidarity with Ukrainian civil society:
“Thank you for what you are doing as a civil society. You are heroically resisting Russian aggression, and I am very pleased to be with you at this time. Humanitarian organisations in Ukraine are extremely determined — they are the main driving force of civil society.
I present to you my book, which is an attempt to understand what we are doing right and what needs to be reviewed. Because modern humanitarian ethics are necessary but insufficient. We face new moral and operational challenges related to climate change, wars, and global destabilisation. And we must act differently.”
Discussion Highlights
Participants raised pressing and practical questions, particularly regarding the environmental impact of the war in Ukraine. The discussion addressed the consequences of Russia’s aggression, including:
- The destruction of the Kakhovka Dam
- Air pollution caused by large-scale shelling
- The devastation of ecosystems along the front line
These issues were framed not only as national tragedies but also as part of a broader global conversation on humanitarian responsibility and ethical action.
Reflections from the Alliance UA CSO
Mila Leonova, Director of the Alliance UA CSO, shared her reflections on the significance of the event:
“We are honoured that Hugo Slim not only visited us, but also agreed to talk, listen and think together with us. His presence is further confirmation that the Ukrainian experience is important, interesting and influential in global processes.”
Closing Remarks
In conclusion, Dr Slim reflected on the relevance of environmental ethics in the Ukrainian context:
“At first, I asked myself: will this (the issue of ecology) be relevant for Ukraine? At first glance, it sounds like madness — you are saving people, opposing a powerful enemy. But, as is often the case with Ukrainians, you are already several steps ahead. You are already taking action. While I was writing, reflecting and analysing in Oxford, you were already implementing this at the civil society level.”
As a gesture of appreciation, signed copies of Humanitarianism 2.0 were presented to the most active participants of the event.
