Every day, we hear of civilians being killed and wounded in violation of the basic rules of international humanitarian law and with total impunity. Instability is spreading. Suffering is growing. No country can remain untouched.
Peter MaurerRead
Very often, development agencies or even some of the humanitarian actors choose the... more comfortable type of work, where it is safe, while the more important work has to be done where it is profoundly unsafe.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of choosing challenging and risky work over safer, more comfortable options for the greater good.
Peter Maurer highlights a common tendency among development agencies and humanitarian actors to opt for safer projects rather than tackling the more urgent and difficult issues that often arise in dangerous environments. This statement serves as a call to prioritize meaningful action over comfort and safety, underscoring the moral responsibility to engage in work that truly matters, even when it presents risks.
Themes
CourageActionHumanitarianRiskDevelopment
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about volunteer work, one might use this quote to inspire others to take on challenging projects.
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