24 November 2003: Together with United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Presses de Sciences-Po (Institut d'études politiques de Paris) and the Institut du développement durable et des relations internationales (IDDRI), the Advisory Board on Human Security (ABHS) launched the French version of the report of the Commission on Human Security at the headquarters of UNESCO in Paris, France.

Opening statements were made by Mr. Françoise Rivière, Assistant Director-General of UNESCO; Mr. Jérôme Bindé, Deputy Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences at UNESCO; and Mr. Bertrand Badie, Professor at the Institut d’études politiques de Paris (IEP).

Mr. Lakhdar Brahimi, the Special Advisor to the Secretary-General of the United Nations and a member of the Commission of Human Security (CHS) and the ABHS, presented the Report and provided a detailed account of the work of the Commission, its recommendations and its significance for enhancing the dignity and the livelihoods of individuals, communities and nations. In doing so, he shared his insights on the present situation of Afghanistan, insisting on the necessity for the international community to continue and expand its efforts to place the country on the right track.

Mr. Bernard Kouchner, former United Nations Special Representative for Kosovo and founder of Medecins sans Frontières, proceeded with an in depth commentary on the relevance of the Commission's work and the utility of the human security concept as an operational tool in addressing pervasive and critical threats while, at the same time, insisting on the challenges to translate the concept into actual implementation.

The meeting was attended by approximately 250 participants, representing the academia, multilateral agencies, governments, NGOs, and the media. Opening statements were followed by rigorous discussions on the concept of human security and its importance for shaping policies at the local, national, regional and international levels.

Taken together, the debates and view of the participants highlighted the interdependent nature of security threats today and underscored the need to change traditional notions of security and their emphasis on military considerations. It was recognized that security extends beyond the purveyor of the defense establishment and includes non-military aspects such as environmental, societal and economic issues and concerns. Furthermore, it was agreed that the security of individuals, communities and nations requires a collective approach and therefore all sectors need to be addressed in a comprehensive and integrated way. Finally, some felt that although the human security concept has evolved conceptually and is becoming increasingly accepted by a broad spectrum of people, however, more progress needs to be made on its implementation as a practical tool.

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