Human Security and Global Change
What is Human Security?
The concept of human security received its most familiar definition by the United Nations Development Program. Finding that "security has far too long been interpreted narrowly: as security of territory... or as protection of national interests... or as global security from the threat of nuclear holocaust.... Forgotten were the legitimate concerns of ordinary people who sought security in their daily lives." UNDP suggests "human security"as a concept that can recover the earlier on-the-ground focus of the state's security practices. Human security can be said to have two main aspects. It means, first, safety from such chronic threats as hunger, disease and repression. And second, it means protection from sudden and hurtful disruptions in the patterns of daily life.
Human security is "something that is achieved when and where individuals and communities have the options necessary to end, mitigate, or adapt to threats to their human, environmental, and social rights; have the capacity and freedom to exercise these options; and actively participate in pursuing these options. In other words, human security is a variable condition where people and communities have the capacity to manage stresses to their needs, rights, and values."
- GECHS Science Plan, 1999
Human security means protecting vital freedoms. It means protecting people from critical and pervasive threats and situations, building on their strengths and aspirations. It also means creating systems that give people the building blocks of survival, dignity and livelihood. To do this, it offers two general strategies: protection and empowerment. Protection shields people from dangers. Empowerment enables people to develop their potential and become full participants in decision-making.
- Report of the UN Commission on Human Security, 2003
Addressing Human Security Challenges
CUSA has a long history of activities that address human security challenges. Our research into human security issues suggests that activities which boost human security sharply reduce the attraction of forms of political violence and crime that threaten the interests and national security of America and its allies. CUSA's major activities related to human security are described in greater detail below. Our work in human security includes on the ground fieldwork, education activities for undergraduate and graduate students, edited volumes on human security and the presentation of our annual Human Security Award.
Edited volumes on Human Security
- The results of our multi-year study on landmines comprise the edited volume
Landmines and Human Security and show that humanitarian efforts, such as landmine clearance and landmine victim assistance, can be low cost, high impact strategies to promote peace and prosperity.
- A second volume in our series on Global Environmental Change and Human Security examines the complex social, health, and economic consequences of environmental change across the globe.
Human Security Award
The Human Security Award recognizes the remarkable efforts of individuals and groups working to empower and protect the world's most vulnerable communities. Watch a brief video introduction about the Human Security Award below.
Recipients of the Human Security Award:
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2004 - Heather Mills, in recognition of her efforts to rid the world of landmines and provide assistance to landmine survivors.
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2005 - Zainab Salbi, founder of Women for Women International, received the award for her efforts to assist women survivors of war and conflict.
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2006 - LGen The Honourable Romeo A. Dallaire, (Ret), Senator, in acknowledgment of his tireless advocacy for peacebuilding in the world's most war-torn regions.
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2007 - David Bornstein, in honor of his pioneering work on social entrepreneurship.
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2008 - Jason Russell, Bobby Bailey and Laren Poole, the founders of Invisible Children, for empowering young people and raising awareness and support for the children of Uganda.
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2009 - Mark Johnson and Whitney Burditt, the founders of Playing for Change, a multimedia movement created to inspire, connect, and bring peace to the world through music.
Mark Johnson and Whitney Burditt are presented with the 2009 Human Security Award by Dean Valerie Jenness of UCI's School of Social Ecology, CUSA Director Richard Matthew and CAHS co-chairs Sandi Jackson and Susan Samueli
Promoting Education through Research Fellowships
CUSA provides support for undergraduate and graduate students engaged in solution-oriented field research on real world human security challenges ranging from chronic poverty through infectious disease to political violence and terrorism. In addition to informal support for students, CUSA also hosts two fellowship programs. In 2004, the Heather Mills Graduate Fellowship in Human Security was established in honor of the significant contributions to human security issues made by Heather Mills, a patron of Adopt-A-Minefield and a United Nations Association Goodwill Ambassador. In 2005, CAHS established its graduate fellowship program to help attract top students to the University of California, Irvine and support their research as they develop into the next generation of business, policy, and academic leaders.
Crystal Murphy Morgan, winner of the 2009 Heather Mills Graduate Fellowship in Human Security, with CUSA Director Richard Matthew and 2009 Human Security Award winners Mark Johnson and Whitney Burditt