One of the main functions of the ABHS Secretariat is to disseminate and promote the conclusions of the Commission on Human Security and particularly its report Human Security Now. The activities undertaken in this respect during the last 12 months are summarized as follows:
Dissemination and Promotion Activities
Since the initial publication of the original English version, the CHS report has been translated into five languages (Spanish, French, Japanese, Russian and Arabic). The corresponding versions have been published with the exception of the Arabic version, due in June 2004. The English and Spanish versions were published by the Commission while the publication of the French and Japanese versions were undertaken by commercial publishing houses. The Russian version has been translated and was published by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). In about one year, more than 10,000 copies have been printed. About two thirds have been sold or distributed. Copies have been sold through commercial channels in English, Spanish, French and Japanese. In parallel, others have been distributed through the UN Information Centers around the world or directly by the Secretariat, notably on the occasion of various promotional events. Specific distributions targets included government offices and permanent missions, research institutions and think tanks as well as NGOs and the media. Meanwhile, the CHS/ABHS website, which carries the entire English version of the report as well as the summaries in French, Spanish, Japanese, Portuguese, Arabic and Farsi, has received more than 100,000 visits.
The publication of the various versions of the report has been accompanied by a number of launching and promotional events in which Commission and Advisory Board members have played a prominent role. Both the co-chairs of the Commission, jointly and separately, have participated in events in New York, Washington, Geneva, Graz, New Delhi, Addis Ababa and Tokyo. Commission/Advisory Board members have also lent their participation to the following launching events: Frene Ginwala in Cape Town, Lakhdar Brahimi in Paris, Sonia Picado in Madrid, Surin Pitsuwan in Bangkok, Peter Sutherland in Brussels, and Adebayo Adedeji in Bamako. The launching of the Russian version was done in Ashgabat and Moscow with the participation of the Executive Secretary. During the same period, a number of promotional events were undertaken by the Secretariat, independently or in connection with other related events. Among them a workshop on "Strengthening Human Security Networks in Southeast Asia" in Bangkok, with Chulalongkorn University, and a West Africa Colloquium on "Conflict and Development - The Human Security Approach" in Bamako, with the Government of Mali. Members of the Commission/Advisory Board and of the Secretariat have also participated in a number of events over the last 12 months during which an extensive promotion of the Commission's conclusions and recommendations has been taking place.
It is too early to say whether the Commission's work has gained universal recognition and appreciation. Observations and comments received on the occasion of the various presentations made during the last year have been generally positive. The conclusions and recommendations have been hailed as timely and useful. However, it is also clear that the general circumstances have not facilitated the propagation of the Commission's ideas, notably among policy makers, more concerned by immediate issues than by the long term perspectives raised by the report.
This being said, it is encouraging to hear that references to the human security concept are more and more becoming commonplace. The notion that the traditional State centered approach could be complemented by a people centered approach has pervaded the political discourse and is gradually making its way from the rhetorical dimension to the practical one. Starting with UN, the establishment of the Human Security Unit in the Secretariat at OCHA is a very encouraging development that augurs well for the future of the human security approach in UN activities. Beyond the UN, it is also heartening to note that among policy makers in the development community there is a growing appreciation and acceptance of the integrated approach suggested by the Commission, notably the linkages between security and development.
Future Prospects
While progress has been made, the message of the Commission has not yet reached the wider targeted audience. Two elements are playing a part in this regard. First, the time has been too short. Experience shows that, without the support of a strong campaign mechanism of governmental or intergovernmental structures, only a sustained effort carried over time can ensure a minimum expected impact. For this reason, and to better leverage the limited resources of the ABHS, we have endeavored to establish and develop partnerships with like-minded institutions who could relay the Commission's message to their respective areas and constituencies. Developing effective partnerships however requires both time and a lot of small steps. It is therefore important to sustain the momentum gained so far and to continue with the dissemination and promotion efforts. But, second, it is also essential to link the promotion/dissemination activities with concrete undertakings and eventual accomplishments highlighting the usefulness and the added value of the human security approach. It is through concrete achievements that the message can be best conveyed. Advocacy and sharing of best practices will combine dissemination/promotion activities with information about the UN Trust Fund and its achievements.
It is also important to keep in mind that activities displayed and contacts established during the past period have raised interest and expectations. A number of interlocutors from various walks of life and different regions have bought into the concept proposed by the Commission and are willing and ready to assist in its promotion. These are the indispensable partnerships our small setup needs to pursue and expand on. They are the initial nucleus of the network the Commission is advocating for. It is important not to disappoint them as they are our best and most committed allies. This network presently includes the Americas, Europe, Africa and Central, East, and Southeast Asia. The Arab World and South Asia have yet to be included. Maintaining and expanding these contacts should be a priority for the Human Security Unit.
It is also essential to implement the Commission's recommendations. One possibility would be to continue working on the two issues that have been singled out in the report i.e., Citizenship and Social Minimum. Informal contacts with a number of interlocutors have confirmed that these issues are of interest and relevance to a number of them. Offers of collaboration in pursuing them have been received. Papers on these two issues have been submitted to the Advisory Board for its possible endorsement. Should that be the case, cooperative arrangements with selected partners could be developed with a view to reinforce the human security networking and develop both the conceptual base and the policy development capacity. The budgetary implications of these activities are modest and well within the resources of the Human Security Unit.
To remain alive and further develop, the human security message as presented by the Commission must be disseminated and translated into concrete action that proves to be useful to the world community. The Human Security Unit at OCHA is ideally placed, under the guidance and with the support of the Advisory Board, to play this role. The promotion and follow-up of the Commission/Advisory Board recommendations together with the management of the UN Trust Fund for Human Security constitute a very powerful combination, allying reflection and action in pursuit of the human security goals. Both aspects are mutually supportive and should be afforded equal importance in the work of the Unit.
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