Localization as self-criticism: three tales from a Colombian aid worker

10/01/2018

This short article deals with the concept of localization from a self-critical perspective. It is not an academic piece on localization but rather a reflective piece from a personal point of view. Localization is a personal issue. We can write about it in a distant way, saying it is the new trend in the humanitarian world, as stated at the World Humanitarian Summit, or we can start looking at the international aid industry in a more critical way, asking ourselves if the supposedly altruistic way of living that is required by our jobs is taking away resources from those who really need it, in favour of our comfort and quality of life.