Border Realities: Humanitarianism in times of border militarization

The answer to suffering and deaths at borderlands has been humanitarian interventions, based on international law and compassion for people on the move. Various humanitarian actors, citizens, IOs, and NGOs attempt to save lives at sea or on land. What happens when humanitarian reason is used to justify more control or to depoliticize these acts of solidarity, especially in areas shaped by heavy militarization? What happens when States unravel humanitarian actions and principles? This introduction to the lecture series will draw on classical debates and case studies surrounding the concept of “humanitarian borders”.

28/10/2025
4 pm to 5:30 pm
Online, WebEx

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Damien Simonneau is an Associate professor in International Relations at INALCO in Paris, the French Institute dedicated to foreign languages and civilizations. His research interests lie in contemporary border security policy, encompassing its definition, public acceptance, implementation, and challenges, as well as international comparisons. After studying mobilizations around border fences in Israel and Arizona (USA), as well as the implementation of smart bordering during Brexit, his current research focuses on the history of border military engineering and its current global circulation.

The 2025/2026 edition of “Border Realities” is organized and chaired by Frédérique Morel-Doridat (UniGR-CBS, Université de Lorraine) and Damien Simonneau (INALCO, Paris).

The lecture series is open to the public and is aimed at researchers, students, and the general public.

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