Join Dr Hassaan Zahid, cofounder of Decolonize MSF and Intersectional Humanitarian Affairs Manager (Medical) in South Sudan for Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) to reimagine global health and humanitarianism.
This talk will examine the colonial power dynamics embedded within MSF and their impact on the agency of both local staff and the communities we serve. Despite MSF's commitment to providing impartial medical aid globally, decision-making remains centralized in European headquarters, marginalizing voices from the Global South and perpetuating structural inequities rooted in colonial legacies. Eurocentric concentration of power leads to the exclusion of non-European staff from leadership roles and imposes external models on diverse cultural contexts. Such practices not only limit the effectiveness of our humanitarian efforts but also undermine the agency of local actors, contradicting our core humanitarian principles. We'll discuss how unacknowledged racial biases and cultural practices influence policies and interactions, often resulting in a one-size-fits-all approach that fails to address the unique needs of different communities. A key focus will be on how aid can inadvertently diminish local agency by imposing solutions without meaningful engagement, creating dependency rather than empowerment. We'll highlight the importance of shifting from a charity-based model to one that fosters meaningful change through equitable partnerships and the empowerment of local communities. The presentation will propose actionable steps for MSF to decentralize power and cultivate an inclusive culture that values and integrates local expertise. Recommendations include diversifying leadership to include staff from the Global South, empowering local offices with greater autonomy, and engaging communities from the outset of any project. By addressing these power imbalances and promoting agency in aid, MSF can enhance the impact of its work, better align with its humanitarian principles, and set a positive example for the broader humanitarian sector.
Thursday 10th April 2025, 13:30 – 15:30
Location: University of Helsinki, Soc&Kom Festsal, Snellmaninkatu 12, 00170 Helsinki
Register here.
Dr. Hassaan Zahid is a dedicated medical professional and humanitarian with over a decade of experience in global health policy, emergency response coordination, and community health management. As part of his health policy work with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), he authored the AI Health Analytics consultation for MSF Operational Centre Amsterdam (OCA) and the capitalisation report of the Embu Community Initiative in Kenya. He was also involved in writing policy briefs for various MSF initiatives, ranging from the Nutrition Task Force at MSF UK to advocating for access to global health products like RSV monoclonal antibodies for high-risk neonates and broadening access to other diagnostics in low-income settings. Previously, within medical operations, Dr. Hassaan Zahid led large-scale initiatives by managing community health programs focused on nutrition and sexual and reproductive health (SRH). He coordinated emergency services in disaster-affected areas—including managing multiple outbreaks—and oversaw medical teams and facilities, demonstrating his leadership in critical situations. Born in the Middle East and raised in Pakistan, he graduated from Dow Medical College, Karachi. His passion for humanitarian work began while volunteering for earthquake and flood relief in Pakistan and during the Syrian refugee crisis in Turkey. He was instrumental in establishing Karachi's first 3D-printed prosthetic limb center and developed an emergency tele-health psychiatry center for villages affected by the 2015 Chitral earthquake. Dr. Zahid earned a Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene from the Royal College of Physicians of London and has pursued advanced studies in Global Health and Humanitarian Medicine. Actively engaged in pro bono teaching, he contributes to decolonizing global health education and academia, and collaborates with the British Medical Association’s Human Rights Group. His dedication to improving global health through innovative approaches positions him as a thought leader in the field.