The LAC Office conducted the first thematic training module on human security at the University of Viña del Mar in Chile from 26 to 28 April 2006, as part of the Training Programme on Urban and Regional Projects in Human Security initiated in March 2006. The module was attended by thirty top- and mid-level public officials from seven municipal and regional governments of Chile, and opened with a session involved welcoming remarks from representatives of the network of partners of the training programme.

Following the opening ceremony, the training module was structured around four main sessions comprising presentation and preliminary discussion of the seven projects proposed by the training programme students (located in La Pintana, Quilpué, Valparaiso, Santiago, Las Condes, Viña del Mar, and Pucón) which allowed UNCRD to make a preliminary evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of the approach of the projects in the contex of HS; introduction and discussion of the HS concept; analysis of practical experiences; and project formulation under the HS framework and definition of monitoring indicators. All sessions combined lectures, group work (seven groups were formed), exchange of ideas and experiences, and presentation of results in plenary sessions for discussion and evaluation among all participants. The conceptual framework of HS focused on the main aspects emphasized by the HS approach, and the complementarity of this approach with human development and human rights approaches. Following this introductory session, in which several aspects were discussed, participants, supported by LAC Office staff, undertook a series of exercises in group work that enabled them to learn and apply tools to enhance problem analysis, identification and characterization of HS threats and vulnerable groups; and formulation of objectives, strategies, and the role of the stakeholders involved. Participants contributed well in all sessions, and considerable interest in the lectures and exercises was manifested throughout the entire workshop. The process of reformulation of problems and strategies under a HS framework was noticeable, which was reflected in the high quality of the results. The human factor, which was not evident in the beginning, became apparent as the main focus.

The evaluation of the workshop made at the end of the sessions was very high: 96 per cent of the participants considered the contents, methodology, group dynamics and overall contribution to the programme as between excellent and very good. This module was envisaged as a pilot experience and drew relevant lessons to hopefully enable its successful replication in other countries. The LAC Office will be closely involved in the implementation of the virtual/long-distance component of the programme, in coordination with the Universities of Viña del Mar and Blas Pascal.