On 9 November, 2011, the Advisory Board on Human Security (ABHS) invited Heads of UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes to the Beekman Tower Hotel, New York, to share their organization’s experiences in implementing human security projects. Representatives from the following UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes attended the meeting: IAEA, IOM, ILO, UNDP, UNESCO, UNFPA, UN-HABITAT, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNIDO, UNODC, UNOPS, UNRWA, UNWomen, WFP, WHO.

• Ms. Picado welcomed representatives from the UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes and invited them to share their experiences in implementing the human security concept and to discuss the extent to which UNTFHS funded projects have opened new perspectives on the work of their organizations.

• A number of organizations highlighted the comprehensive and context-specific nature of the human security concept as the added value to their work. Participants noted that the human security concept deepens their analysis and draws attention to a multitude of threats that cut across different aspects of human life. The comprehensive and rigorous human security analysis has enabled Country Teams to better conceptualize on the interventions that were necessary, while the human security concept provided the template for UN agencies to work together. 

• Subsequently, drawing upon the comprehensive and multi-sectoral nature of the human security concept, participants reiterated that the human security concept and its application not only allows UN organizations to look beyond the immediate impacts of insecurities but also to address the root causes behind different situations of critical and pervasive insecurity.  

• A further element of the human security concept which participants believed to have brought added value to the work of the UN was its focus on cooperation among UN organizations. In this regard, representatives stressed that human security’s cross-cutting concept has been very useful in post-conflict situations where multiple and interconnected threats are abound and where joint programming among Agencies has proven to be very effective in harmonizing activities that are more targeted, efficient and effective. The human security concept has also allowed UN organizations to focus on inter-agency cooperation towards working as “One UN” where the impact on the most vulnerable can be better realized.

• The ABHS also welcomed the participants to share some of the constraints they face in implementing the human security concept. In this regard, while human security’s emphasis on inter-agency cooperation has brought many benefits to the implementing organizations, it has also brought with it many challenges. Participants stated that obstacles remain in integrating a human security approach into their day-to-day operations due to differences in financial systems and mandates between UN organizations.

• Participants also underlined a limited understanding of the human security concept. A lack of understanding of the concept can make it difficult for UN Country Teams to apply the concept in their daily work and to integrate it into their current UN tools and planning cycles – a difficulty which is often compounded by a lack of understanding at the Resident Coordinator level.

• Drawing on their experiences in implementing UNTFHS funded projects, participants made recommendations (i) to improve the future implementation of human security related projects and (ii) to expand the reach of the concept. A common thread among the participants was the need to move human security away from short-term projects towards longer-term programming strategies. Highlighting that the added value of human security comes from its multi-secotral elements, participants emphasized that genuine inter-agency collaboration can only be achieved through interaction and engagement between agencies over multiple years, rather than over the life-span of one project. Moreover, participants added that as long as human security is focused at the project level, the concept will continue to be hindered by the obstacles and constraints which are inherent in project management.

• Participants also discussed the need to mainstream the human security concept. To this end, it was stated that greater national ownership of human security projects would significantly contribute to mainstreaming the human security concept at country level. Furthermore, the need to ensure the buy-in of the Resident Coordinators in ensuring that human security is mainstreamed within UN Country Teams and among their national counterparts was reiterated.

• Finally, the need to raise greater awareness around the concept of human security as a priority area for the future was discussed. Suggestions included the need to further disseminate the results and the lessons learnt from human security focused projects, and the need to better demonstrate how the human security concept has made a difference in the lives of the people and the corresponding strategies of the UN.