Tensions and paradoxes of humanitarianism. Dialogue with Lilie Chouliaraki

A conversation in writing with Lilie Chouliaraki, Professor of Media and Communications at the London School of Economics and Political ScienceI. It starts by briefly introducing a reflection on suffering (considered not just a physiological or psychological fact, but also a social construction) as a language of the present, and the implication it has on humanitarianism. Then, focusing on the mobilization of empathy, we reflect on the intimate connection between international human-rights consciousness and visual images that has manifested itself since the early days of humanitarian movements. As well as on how images have played a key role in making international public opinion sympathetic to the misfortunes of fellow human beings, forcing us to consider what makes human beings human, and the capacity to identify with the suffering and distant ‘other’ has been a precondition to the historical institutionalization of human rights.