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Human Security Now: Strengthening Policy Networks in South East Asia

4-5 March 2004: Following the success of the first conference on Human Security in Bangkok, Thailand, the Advisory Board on Human Security (ABHS) in collaboration with Chulalongkorn University, Thailand organized a two-day workshop on "Human Security Now: Strengthening Policy Networks in Southeast Asia." Joined by members of the diplomatic community, government officials, NGO/CSOs, and distinguished scholars, the workshop picked up from the first conference and aimed to promote partnerships among concerned and interested parties in ASEAN.

Dr. Tatchai Sumitra, President of Chulalongkorn University, Mr. Kirasak Chancharaswat, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, and Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, member of the Commission on Human Security (CHS) and ABHS, respectively presented their opening statements in which they emphasized the importance of the human security paradigm and the need to firmly channel deliberations towards practical issues. Dr. Sumitra recognized the participation by CSOs, NGOs and community groups in the workshop and highlighted the need to "carefully consider these grounded voices in policy making so as to truly preserve human security within and across our borders." Mr. Chancharaswat expressed the Thai Government's commitment to further solidify the concept of human security and to establish a more broadened definition of 'security' that is essential to the enhancement of human security and to the achievement of peace and security at the national, regional and global level. Dr. Pitsuwan meanwhile cautioned the participants to critically consider the concept of human security and stated that "the theoretical background behind the human security concept must be well understood if the concept is to be operationalized and used effectively. As such human security goes beyond social welfare activities to include human rights, human dignity and respect for cultural diversity."

Following the opening statements, participants began an open exchange around the following themes.

Session I: Putting Human Security in the Southeast Asian Context
Session II: Free Trade, Environment, Food Security and Human Displacement
Session III: Health and Empowerment: Knowledge, Skill and Education
Session IV: Advancing the Security of People: The Case for a Social Minimum

The following captures the main points highlighted during the two-day deliberations:

  • The need to look at marginalized individuals and groups and promote a human security framework in which the formal and the informal sectors work together to develop win-win situations.

  • The challenges of globalization and the need for inclusive growth policies that balance equity with efficiency, concentrate on redistribution, employment generation and poverty eradiction are based on human and social development.

  • The importance of food and environmental security to enhance human security within ASEAN. Poor management of water resources, for example, along the banks of the Mekong River were identified as a cause for growing environmental and other human insecurities within the region.

  •  The need for local community consultations in identifying the needs of the people and ensuring that national, regional and international policies do not result in an increase in the human insecurities of individuals and local communities.

  • The significant role played by NGOs and other local stakeholders in identifying and incorporating human security issues in the policy making process. Vietnam provided valuable example here, in particular with regards to the PPSP process. Meanwhile, in Brunei, public participation mechanisms were highlighted as an important instrument in educating and securing good health among the population.

  • Participants stressed the importance of multi-stakeholder approaches that not only combine protection and empowerment instruments but also build on the protective systems that already exist within communities. Local ownership was recognized as being pivotal in identifying and strengthening the coping mechanisms of individuals and communities.

  •  Finally, priority was given to the need for a social minimum that together with respect for fundamental human rights and equitable and pro-poor economic growth give people building blocks of survival, livelihood and dignity.

Overview of the workshop and the list of participants (PDF file)

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