Humanitarian Diplomacy: Modern Concepts and Approaches

Abstract

Modern trends in world development have significantly pushed the boundaries of modern diplomacy which should be an effective tool for global dialogue. My study is focused on the humanitarian sector of diplomacy. The article reviews main discussions about approaches to the concept of humanitarian diplomacy that arose against the background of the idea of "humanism 2.0", about the spread of the practice of humanitarian negotiations and about the creation of humanitarian spaces. I examine the main approaches of foreign and Russian researchers to the concepts of humanitarian diplomacy. Then I analyze the tools of humanitarian diplomacy and highlight its similarities and differences with traditional official diplomacy. It is established that non-State actors play an important political role in the resolution of modern conflicts and humanitarian negotiations. The role of the UN in creating a humanitarian partnership with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) is noted. I also pay attention to the humanitarian diplomacy of states and note the diversity of national models. The article considers the main motives that encourage states to participate in humanitarian diplomacy and highlights its main directions. I demonstrate shown that today humanitarian practice is acquiring a polymodal, complex character. It includes humanitarian assistance, social policy and economic assistance in the context of the paradigm of sustainable development. The study reveals that the use of diplomatic tools and, above all, negotiations have a positive impact on the effectiveness of humanitarian activities in armed conflicts and crisis situations of an anthropogenic and natural nature.