Security has historically been considered the responsibility of the state, but the evolution of threats has altered this understanding. How should the world now respond? This paper by the Commission on Human Security argues that as threats challenge our collective capacity to respond, there is a case for rebuilding the foundation of our multilateral system and adapting it to the realities of an interdependent world.
As pre-emption has superseded prevention in the military panoply, a similar but more legitimate approach is needed to deal with human insecurities. The Commission on Human Security was set up in January 2001 in response to the UN Secretary General’ call at the Millennium Summit for a world ‘free of want’ and ‘free of fear’. It concluded its activities in May 2003. The goals of the Commission were threefold: (1) to provide public understanding, engagement, and support of human security and its underlying imperatives; (2) to develop the concept of human security as an operational tool for policy formulation and implementation and (3) to propose a concrete programme of action to address critical and pervasive threats to human security.
The Commission focused its attention equally on problems linked to conflict and those links to poverty, considering that both are closely related. Additionally, the following principles were key:
- Protection and empowerment are mutually reinforcing.
- The development of democratic principles and practices at the national level, as well as the acceptance of interdependence among nations and respect for multilateralism, are indispensable to achieving human security.
- Human security can be both an analytical and a practical tool for developing concrete action.
- Human security complements state security as it focuses on people and identifies security threats that have never previously been considered as the concern of states.
- People who find their needs and aspirations better served by the state will identify with the state, thus strengthening nation building by emphasising the community of interests between the state and the people.
- Respect for humanitarian law is at the core of protecting people. By making no distinction between rights, it promotes all of them and thereby addresses violations in an integrated and comprehensive way.
To operationalise the concept of human security a social minimum should be seen as a foundation for promoting social justice and social cohesion. Furthermore, human security is the necessary complement of the security of states.
- Humanitarian law norms need strengthening as well as more comprehensive and integrated strategies linking political, military, humanitarian and development aspects.
- In dealing with migration, a normative framework should be created as well as practical measures to balance legitimate state interests with the protection of migrants.
- The reconstruction of war-torn societies calls for greater institutional and financial integration to better manage the various elements of human security and thus to achieve durable peace.
- There is a need for a fair distribution of the dividends of growth and for efficient and equitable trade practices. Ensuring minimum living standards and social protective policies are essential requirements.
- Health is an essential and instrumental variable to achieving human security. The objective is universal access to basic health services and their development as essential public goods.
- Education plays a fundamental role in developing human security. Universal access to basic education is an absolute priority. The curricula should cultivate mutual respect and diversity, while fostering global identities.
