There is an overwhelming consensus among humanitarian actors that access is becoming more difficult: attacks on aid workers are increasing; aid is becoming more politicised; respect for humanitarian principles and humanitarian law is declining. In other words, humanitarian space is 'shrinking'.

This event, to mark the launch of HPG Report 'Humanitarian Space: a review of trends and issues', critically discusses this dominant narrative and asks whether many of the problems faced today are not only familiar when compared with what has gone before, but in many respects are as much a consequence of expanding humanitarian engagement.