Examining aid in Australia and the Asia region

Five months after Japan's devastating tsunami, earthquake and Fukishima nuclear power plant explosion, the issue of humanitarianism will be the topic of discussion at The Australian National University this week. Cultures of Humanitarianism in the Asia Pacific will bring together specialists from Australia and the region for a two-day workshop that will examine how concern for other people's suffering is viewed by various cultures. Jacinta O?Hagan from the Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies at ANU said the workshop will focus in particular on China, Indonesia and Japan, where Australia is a key provider of humanitarian assistance. 'In a world increasingly driven by emergencies, humanitarian crises and natural disasters, the idea of humanitarianism has become one of the most prominent and powerful in world politics today,' she said. 'We'll be discussing how donors and recipients in the region understand the concept of humanitarianism, and how this impacts on international cooperation. 'The Asia-Pacific is a dynamic and culturally diverse region and one which is not only a recipient but also increasingly an important provider of humanitarian assistance to crises both within and outside the region. 'Comparing with Australia, which has provided US$2.1 billion humanitarian aid from 2000 to 2009, Japan has contributed more than US$4 billion in the same period, ranking 7th in the world.