What is Human Security?

Developing countries are increasingly making remarkable progress in economic growth and social development. Furthermore, with the rapid expansion of new communication technologies and international trade, globalization has become a strong integrating force. At the same time, however, a parallel pattern of conflict, displacement, environmental degradation, and chronic poverty continues to persist. Disparities between the rich and the poor have grown both between and within countries, bringing despair and a receding hope for a more equitable world.

To respond to this situation and transcend conventional approaches to development, UNCRD's initiative on human security was launched in July 1999. This was concurrent with the shift in perceptions of security from a focus on defence of territory from external attack to the protection of communities and individuals from threats to their lives and livelihoods.

The term "human security" entered mainstream development discourse with the Human Development Report 1994: New Dimensions of Human Security, in which the UN reaffirmed its commitment to the twin ideals of achieving freedom from fear and want. In 2000, the UN adopted the Millennium Declaration which explicitly stated the firm commitment of the international community to use every means to help people rise above extreme poverty. The Declaration listed specific goals, referred to as Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), with the target date of 2015 to achieve. They include: (a) eradicate extreme poverty and hunger; (b) achieve universal primary education; (c) promote gender equality and empower women; (d) reduce child mortality; (e) improve maternal health; (f) combat HIC/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases; ensure environmental sustainability; and develop a global partnership for development.

In order to achieve human security, however, the need to build upon the foundation of the MDGs was recognized by making an even more concerted effort to address the diverse range of threats endangering people. Thus, the Commission on Human Security (CHS) was formed to further integrate the human security concept into development to ensure that the widening of choices gained by development would be complemented by the freedom to exercise these choices safely and freely. Specifically, the CHS's goals were to: (a) promote public understanding, engagement, and support of human security and its underlying imperatives; (b) develop the concept of human security as an operational tool for policy formulation and implementation; and (c) propose a concrete programme of action to address critical and pervasive threats to human security.

The CHS published its findings in 2004 in its Final Report, Human Security Now. Among the points raised, the Report presented two general mutually-reinforcing strategies: protection and empowerment. These strategies are considered vitally important because, firstly, "protection" guards people against dangers. And in order to protect people, it is necessary to develop norms, processes, and institutions to systematically deal with insecurities. Whereas, "empowerment" allows people to develop their potential and fully participants in the decision-making process. In recognition of the importance of human security and to place it in the mainstream of UN activities, the Human Security Unit (HSU) was established in 2004 in the United Nations Secretariat at the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

In 2008, the UN published The Millennium Development Report 2008, which reported that though progress is being made towards achieving the eight stated goals, a dedicated and collective effort is required if the commitments are expected to be fulfilled. Today, halfway to the target date for achieving the MDGs, the world is being faced with other critical issues such as economic recession and global warming. While addressing these concerns, the UN will continue to take the lead in aiming to meet the targets of MDGs while, at the same time, dealing with these new challenges.