Dignity
Seeing Without Defining: Michael Steffen on Photography and Power Dynamics
At this year’s European Humanitarian Forum, Michael Steffen’s photographs from South Sudan, taken during his field work with Malteser International, are being exhibited publicly for the first time. In our conversation, we talk about photography as a form of listening, the ethical boundaries of representation, and how power dynamics still shape the stories we tell - even when we try our best to get it right.
“Standards Without Listening Are Just Control”: William Anderson on the Sphere Rewrite, P-FIM, and the Future of Humanitarian Accountability
It has been described as the second most essential thing after a toothbrush for humanitarians. But the Sphere Handbook is about to undergo its most significant transformation yet. William Anderson, CEO of Sphere, explains why a moment of crisis may offer the opportunity to get things right, by rethinking what standards are for, how dignity gets lost in systems thinking, and why the next version of the Handbook will be more contextualized and community-fed than ever before.
A Place to Heal, A Path to Independence: The Role of Safe Spaces for Women in Crisis
Explore key lessons from Hauwa Luka, Protection Officer at Malteser International, on creating safe spaces for women affected by gender-based violence. Learn how safe spaces promote safety, empowerment, and community engagement while fostering economic independence through literacy and income-generating activities.
WASH in Emergency Response: 5 Simple Shifts to Prioritize Dignity
Arno Coerver, Global WASH and Environment Advisor, highlights how small shifts in WASH programming can help preserve dignity in crises. From gender-sensitive facilities to community-led planning, he reminds us that WASH is about more than survival—it's about fostering respect and humanity in the toughest conditions.
Do No Harm in NGO Communications
There are good and necessary alternatives to the b-word and to undignified imagery. Article by Susanna Kremer, Editor-in-chief at OneSec Magazine.