International Consultation and Workshop on the Regional Dynamics of Human Security
27-28 May 2005: International scholars and researchers from the partner universities participating in the UNTFHS project "UN Dialogue with the Global South" (project document in PDF) met at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa for a two-day consultation and workshop to discuss the concept of human security and its linkages to current proposals for the reform of the United Nations. Support for the meeting was provided by the UN Trust Fund for Human Security.
Discussions focused on three clusters of issues:
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New Challenges to International Peace and Security
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Promoting Human Security through Human Rights and Humanitarian Action
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Development and Human Security
Dr. Frene Ginwala, member of the Commission on Human Security and former speaker of the South African Parliament, gave the keynote address. Dr. Ginwala discussed the evolution of the concept of human security and highlighted its differences from traditional thinking about security. She stressed the need to identify regional priorities for its promotion, and suggested that, for Africa, economic security is of greater importance than conflict prevention and resolution. She also encouraged greater participation and engagement by civil society groups and organizations at various levels and suggested that UN institutional reform should be shaped by human security concerns.
For many participants, the workshop was an opportunity to consider seriously the importance of human security. Regional differences were acknowledged, particularly in issues such as conflict prevention and resolution, HIV/AIDS, intervention reform and the evolution and application of human rights instruments. In addition to the consultation, researchers from the partner universities used the workshop to plan a collaborative research project that will highlight the various regional perspectives of human security.
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