International Political Dialogue - The Importance of Human Security in a Globalised World

International Political Dialogue - The Importance of Human Security in a Globalised World - How does the EU Implement this Concept? [printable version]

The Importance of Human Security in a Globalised World - How does the EU Implement this Concept?
Thought bites in Brussels

Richard Kühnel, Advisor on Human Security to Benita Ferrero-Waldner, European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy talked about Human Security within the regular event series Though bites at lunchtime of the Dialogue Programme Brussels. The second speaker on the topic was Wolf Poulet, Chief Executive Officer, International Governance Consulting (IGC), Berlin.

Mr. Richard Kuehnel: A pragmatic, target-oriented approach by the European Commission, focused on results

Human security is an important, evolving and therefore in parts unclear concept as yet. Mr. Richard Kuehnel put this statement at the beginning of his paper. Human security had been given a top ranking on the list of priorities of Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner. To achieve results in this field, the Commissioner concentrated her primary attention on matters related to children as the victims of armed conflicts as well as on educational programmes devoted to human rights. Surveying the development of this topic, Mr. Kuehnel emphasised the role of supra-regional alliances, such as the Human Security Network for successful campaigns in this field. During the Cold War period, security had been viewed primarily as a topic for governments. The human aspect of security had been developed in debates in the 90s. Meanwhile, though not a guideline, it had become at least “an important standard”. Following Mr. Kuehnel, the sovereignty of nations should also be understood to imply active responsibility to care for and protect a nation’s people.

”Pragmatic, target-oriented, and focused on results”, this is how Mr. Kuehnel described the approach taken by the European Commission. No exact definition of the term human security had yet been agreed on in international debates. Three dimensions were distinguished within the EU:”Freedom from fear, freedom from want and freedom to express oneself on one’s own behalf”. The speaker, referring to a multitude of examples, described various activities of the European Commission in all three dimensions, also underlining co-operation with the United Nations and non-governmental organisations. Given such a variety of activities, the challenge was to provide for cohesion between the various fields of politics and cohesion efforts.

Mr. Wolf Poulet: The human security approach – unfortunately not a success story

In his comment, Mr.Wolf Poulet addressed the difficulties arising when it came to implementing the concept of human security. Quoting the EU Commissioner in charge as well as other members of the Commission he referred to the long-term prospects of these activities. Many suggestions, as that of a “Human Security Response Force” had not been implemented. Unfortunately, achievements in the field of human security so far could not be interpreted as a success story. One could rather speak of an intention.

The human security approach, Mr. Wolf Poulet felt, was no longer very timely, either. Signs to explain this were the population developments worldwide, conflicts over commodities, the emergence of Asian capitalism and different value concepts for instance for issues such as human rights. Following Mr. Poulet we could lose the “One World”. Though the concept of human security assumed greater relevance in this context, results were fewer at the same time. The alternative would be to devote greater attention to countries wishing for structural change. However, the EU had developed a related concept to implement elements of human security. This was a reform of the security sector (SSR), a concept worked out by the OECD and accepted by both the EU Commission and the Council, aimed at stabilising internal structures in so-called weak or fragile countries. To support such efforts, there should be a reallocation of funds.

Political will and handling dramatic situations

In the ensuing discussion, participants mentioned a number of positive points when addressing the work by the Commission in the field of human security. Some participants felt it was a positive feature that various dimensions of human security were addressed and also that long-term objectives were laid down. This was also a result of a process of political co-ordination in the EU, often long drawn-out, but therefore well-considered, a process that had also contributed to sixty years of peace in Europe. There was praise also for an orientation on target-directed and implementable political objectives in co-ordination with the United Nations, an approach also leading to financial commitments and specific outcomes. Such moves also exemplified the political willingness of the EU.

Some participants felt the Commission’s efforts to turn security into a key issue deserved praise, others commended and emphasised how the Commission put individuals at the centre of its efforts. Mr. Richard Kuehnel supported their statements and in particular he corroborated the Commission’s fundamental approach focusing on the individual. Mr. Wolf Poulet was a bit more sceptical when he looked at specific results of efforts undertaken by the EU.

Participants also listed a number of fields in which the Commission should be involved or where a different thrust should be developed. Some participants, for instance, deplored lacking unity in the Commission as regards the topic of human security. Some spoke of a “Cold War” within the Commission and called for greater intervention by the European Parliament. What was lacking, also, was an unambiguous definition of human security. Mr Richard Kuehnel replied that there was neither disagreement nor a Cold War within the Commission. The future EU reform treaty would provide better conditions for a more active and cohesive approach by the EU. The Commission would not be stopped by a lack of agreement on a definition of human security – this should be a case for parallel processes.