CUF: VALUES, HEALTH, AND PEACE EDUCATION

APRIL 19, 2024

Topic: Economic security

Problem: Unemployment
Possible solution: Gov’t create new jobs for workers

The Human Development Report of 1994 defined human security as both “freedom from fear” and
“freedom from want” (in 2003 the definition of human security was expanded to include
“freedom to live in dignity”). The threats to human security are many, but most can be
considered under the seven security areas identified:

 Economic security
 Food security
 Health security
 Environmental security
 Personal security
 Community security
 Political security

Human security has 4 Essential Characteristics

Human security is people-centered: it is concerned with how people live their lives, exercise
choices and rights, access markets and social opportunities etc.

The components of human security are interdependent: insecurities in one sector can
overlap or be linked to another sector – people often face multiple or related threats

Addressing human security is preventative: it is easier – and less costly – to address

insecurities through early prevention than later intervention.

Human security is a universal concern: it is relevant to people everywhere and can cross
borders; it relates to security threats that are common to all people, including unemployment,
drugs, crime, pollution, human rights violations.

In addition to broadening the scope of security and insecurity, a focus on human

security:

 Affects how we think about post-conflict areas, specifically on the importance of context
and how conflict and reform processes are conditioned and affected by history, society,
politics, experiences and embedded practices.
 Allows us to look not only at people’s vulnerabilities and issues of protection, but to the
potential for human agency, and how various groups can take collective action to improve
their situation through state and non-state institutions.
 Prompts us to recognize the diversity of security and justice providers that operate at
local levels, and that actors beyond conventional security providers (e.g. state police,
military, etc.) must be considered.
https://www.communitypolicing.eu/ehandbook/our-approach-to-cop/human-security/

ACTIVITY:
Write a reflection in your journal notebook:

1. In your journal notebook write a short reflection, insights, and realization related to the
topic.