A brief history
In March 1999, the Government of Japan and the United Nations Secretariat launched the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security (UNTFHS). The UNTFHS, open to UN agencies, started its activities under the management of the UN Controller. However, with no conceptual framework initially available, the majority of funding was directed towards developmental concerns including key thematic areas such as health, education, agriculture and small scale infrastructure development.
At the United Nations Millennium Summit in 2000, the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan called upon the world community to advance the twin goals of "freedom from want" and "freedom from fear". As a contribution to this effort, an independent Commission on Human Security (CHS) was established. After two years of deliberation, the Commission submitted its final report, entitled Human Security Now, to the UN Secretary-General in May 2003.
Based on the recommendations of the CHS, the Advisory Board on Human Security (ABHS) was created to among others promote human security and advise the Secretary-General on the management of the UNTFHS. The ABHS held its first meeting on 16 September 2003 and, based on the final report of the CHS, agreed on new priorities for the UNTFHS. Subsequent to the meeting, the Guidelines for the UNTFHS were amended in November 2003.
Objectives
The United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security (UNTFHS) finances projects carried out by organizations in the UN system, and when appropriate, in partnership with non-UN entities, to advance the operational impact of the human security concept. The UNTFHS places priority on promoting multi-sectoral and inter-agency integration based on the comparative advantage of the applying organizations and through their collaboration. Projects are distributed globally, with priority given to countries and regions where the insecurities of people are most critical and pervasive, such as the least developed countries (LDC's) and countries in conflict.
Activities supported by the UNTFHS
1. Parameters for funding of projects
Projects shall be selected along the following parameters:
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Providing concrete and sustainable benefits to people and communities threatened in their survival, livelihood and dignity.
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Implementing the "Protection and Empowerment" framework by comprehensively including both top-down protection and bottom-up empowerment measures.
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Promoting partnerships with civil society groups, NGOs and other local entities and encouraging implementation by these entities.
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Advancing integrated approaches that preferably involve more than one organization in planning and implementation.
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Addressing the broad range of interconnected issues that take into account the multisectoral demands of human security, for example, conflict and poverty, displacement and health, education and conflict prevention.
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Concentrating on those areas of human security that are currently neglected and avoiding duplication with existing programmes and activities.
2. Target people and situations
The list below is indicative and not exhaustive. The UNTFHS shall place priority on projects that address more than one element among the following situations and shall pay particular attention to the special needs and vulnerabilities of women and children. The UNTFHS focuses on projects that are primarily operational and refrain from research oriented proposals.
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Protecting people in conflict situations who are exposed to physical violence, discrimination, exclusion and whose destitute situation derives mostly from inequalities in treatment.
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Supporting and empowering refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), economic migrants and others on the move. Particular attention should be given to the socio-economic impact on the displaced and their host communities.
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Protecting and empowering people in conflict situations and in transition from war to peace through the integration of humanitarian and development assistance; disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR); reconciliation and coexistence; and other processes. These activities shall also contribute to preventing the recurrence of conflicts.
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Realizing minimum living standards, including assisting community-level efforts to establish mechanisms to protect people exposed to extreme poverty, sudden economic downturns and natural disasters.
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Enhancing health care and service coverage to those whom other initiatives have not reached successfully.
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Improving educational opportunities, especially for girls, emphasizing universal primary education (including the emphasis on safe school environment and respect for diversity).
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Promoting and disseminating the human security concept and deepening its understanding and acceptance worldwide, including studies on key aspects of human security.
3. Geographical areas of activities to be supported
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Projects shall be distributed globally with priority attention given to countries and regions where insecurities of people are most critical and pervasive, such as the LDCs and countries in conflict.
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Sub-regional projects that include more than one country shall be supported taking advantage of the network of United Nations Funds and Programmes.