Humanitarian Fault Lines

Jamie McGoldrick speaks with Dr. Francis Deng. He has served in the United Nations as South Sudan's first independent ambassador and spent time as Special Adviser for the Prevention of Genocide. He’s also served as Ambassador of Sudan to Nordic Countries, Canada, and the United States and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. Francis has written and edited dozens of books, including “War of Visions: Conflict of Identities in the Sudan.” Jamie and Dr. Deng discuss conflict and crises in Sudan and South Sudan. Dr. Deng explains issues in South Sudan and offers what he believes are solutions to improve the lives of people in the country. Jamie asks him about the civil war in Sudan. Dr. Deng says there are flaws in how the international community approaches the conflict in the country, and he argues for a more nuanced approach to finding a resolution. Dr. Deng also offers criticism of UN peacekeepers and the role they’ve played in the region.

Host Jamie McGoldrick lays out his goals for the podcast ahead of its launch date on January 24th. Jamie spent decades working in the humanitarian field, and while there’s been progress, he believes there needs to be change. Jamie’s looking for answers to the difficult questions facing the humanitarian world. Why are some of these crises now terminal? Why is it left to humanitarians to address chronic political failure? And is the humanitarian sector waking up to realize this new order and the increased pressures it has for humanitarian workers? He’ll explore these questions by speaking with humanitarians on the front lines of some of the world’s most challenging crises. These include humanitarian leaders - both national and international - decision makers, and policy advisers at both field and HQ level.