A Different Ithaca: Portrayed, Perceived, Protected? Representations and Identities of Unaccompanied Children as Constructed by Humanitarian Organisations in Greece
Abstract
Following the economic crisis in 2011 and since 2015, Europe, specifically Greece, has faced a significant ‘refugee crisis.’ This situation has not only altered the socio-political landscape, but also has reshaped the roles and realities of humanitarian organisations (HOs), making them key actors in addressing and assisting refugee flows. The establishment of refugee camps, known as ‘hotspots,’ and the proliferation of organisations focused on refugees have highlighted the extent of this issue, often turning it into a heated political debate. Misinformation and disinformation about refugees—whose unique identities differ from the previously more homogeneous and secular population of Greece—have become central concerns.
These representations have profound effects on everyday life, influencing public perceptions and potentially reinforcing or challenging existing beliefs, biases, and stereotypes for Unaccompanied Children (UCs) with refugee backgrounds. This study employs theories of biopolitical power and vulnerability theory, using Thematic Critical Discourse Analysis (TCDA) as its methodology to explore the way Greek humanitarian organisations (HOs) represent Unaccompanied Children with refugee backgrounds in their publicity materials and potentially shape perceptions of them.
The research draws on Michel Foucault’s ideas on biopolitical power to examine the institutional dynamics of the Greek humanitarian organisations studied. It particularly focuses on how they advocate for Unaccompanied Children who find themselves in vulnerable circumstances through their ‘About Us’ and ‘Donation campaign’ web pages. Additionally, Martha Fineman’s vulnerability theory offers an alternative perspective on vulnerability, highlighting the potential misinterpretations and uses of representation in portraying people in precarious situations.
The findings of the present research —and linking to the lens of vulnerability theory by Martha Fineman— suggest that UCs with refugee backgrounds are often portrayed as vulnerable victims, primarily framed through a focus on crisis and emergency, particularly in the ‘Donation Campaign’ web pages that emphasize their dependency and categorize them as ‘in need’ rather than being portrayed as safety concerns. This portrayal highlights the limited agency afforded to UCs, positioning them as subject to the control and management of organisations and potential donors. Intercultural dialogue is notably absent, and the humanitarian organisations under study tend to reinforce the homogenisation of identities in their publicity materials, limiting opportunities for mutual understanding and dialogue between diverse cultural perspectives. Viewed through the lens of biopolitical power as suggested by Michel Foucault, long-term solutions, transformation, and future potential for UCs with refugee backgrounds are not prioritised —even though partly existing—reinforcing the perception that UCs cannot overcome their circumstances without external intervention and assistance.
This study advocates for more ethical and inclusive representations by humanitarian organisations (HOs). Through intercultural dialogue, it encourages a shift towards narratives that recognize the agency, resilience, and cultural identities of UCs with refugee backgrounds, fostering a more empowering and respectful approach to humanitarian aid in the Greek context.
Key Words: Greece, Unaccompanied Children (UCs) with refugee backgrounds, Humanitarian Organisations (HOs), representation, public perception, publicity material, intercultural dialogue