Human security from the bottom-up: foundations for the new generation Oscar A. Gómez Doshisha Univeristy Applying the Human Security Approach at the National level 2 October 2013, 15:00-18:00 United Nations, New York

Gómez, Gasper and Mine (2013)

Introduction A good moment to engage with human security ideas/practice/ experimentation/innovation No need to prove the viability of the concept No need to choose between sides… … or to fix a set of threats from the outset Benefit from a growing pool of resources and experiences

The GA resolution of 2012 Fear, Want and Dignity People-centred, comprehensive, context-specific and prevention-oriented responses that strengthen the protection and empowerment Interlinkages between peace, development and all human rights Distinct from R2P Not entail the threat or the use of force or coercive measures, neither replaces State security

Message: Many more local experiences are needed! The GA resolution of 2012 Human security is based on national ownership; Governments retain the primary role and responsibility for ensuring the survival, livelihood and dignity of their citizens; Human security must be implemented with full respect for the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations Message: Many more local experiences are needed!

Into national experiences What is needed to understand/motivate national experiences fleshing out the notion of human security? Identifing historic processes that have demanded/would benefit from a re-understanding of the notion And advancing comparisons that allow different actors to envision the benefits of so doing.

Into national experiences Citizen security: A different meaning of the end of the Cold War Uses: Re-invent the institution of the police Study crime in systematic and scientific way Later to include a holistic connection to social policy Both address the objective and subjective components of crime related insecurity And then broaden the reach to all the rule of law institutions

Into national experiences Significant advances and opportunities Some success in promoting reform and regaining trust Building knowledge about crime Periodically capturing information about the perception of insecurity and its interlinkages with a wider picture of society Developing tools for analysis and initiatives for action.

Into national experiences But also some risks: Framing security as of ‘citizens’ can be excluding The focus on institutions can bring back the ‘means over the ends’ bias. Untapped interlinkages that can produce positive change May not be enough to deal with the perception bias

More than citizens Latvia, Moldova, Chile and the Philippines addressing social exclusion: Exploring the root causes of exclusion Finding: it is not necessarily connected to (lack of) development Showing how denizens are rather similar—binding together

More than citizens Global agreement about migration as adaptation in the climate change framework Persistently presented as a consequence and as a security threat derived from climate change In the COP 2011 in Cancun, groups that have been working around human security managed to introduce a change in the perspective

Dealing with ‘means over ends’ Latvian spearheading experience: Starts with a NHD Report (2002/2003) Comparing a comprehensive list of threats (personal and social) Identifying priorities but… also the roles of actors at different levels in the provision of security

Dealing with ‘means over ends’ Latvian showcase: Starts with a NHD Report (2002/2003) Development of the idea of securitability The process moves to universities and local governments National Development Plan on Human Securitability 2012 (a form of resilience) Strengthening human securitability - any role in Latvia's EU presidency in 2015 NGO research on human securitability Small policy gains in human securitablity

Untapped interlinkages Human security in the Philippines Peace Security Sector Reform (Human) Development HS Nation-Building role Development Aggression Policing National Security Framework Human Rights Anti-terrorism legislation (Human Security Act) Source: Gomez (2011)

Addressing the perception bias Identified mismatches of threat perception through citizen security: In Costa Rica, 64.4% of the interviewees believe violent acts were committed by Nicaraguans. Reality: 90% is committed by Costa Ricans In Uruguay, 57% of the population believes that most of the crimes are committed by youth. Reality: depending on the kind of crime, it goes between 43,4% (violent theft) to 0,9% (injuries)

Addressing the perception bias It is not only about crime Disasters Nutrition Crime Migrants

Addressing the perception bias Ways to influence the misperception of threats through human security ideas: Wider mappings of threats—Arab countries, Thailand, Latvia, Benin

Addressing the perception bias Three ways to influence the misperception of threats: Wider mappings of threats—Arab countries, Thailand, Latvia, Benin Making cost-benefit and trade-off analyses

Addressing the perception bias Three ways to influence the misperception of threats: Wider mappings of threats—Arab countries, Thailand, Latvia, Benin Making cost-benefit and trade-off analyses Involving other actors, as the media Presenting some threats as opportunities too! Migrants Food crisis in Mali

Final comments A new generation of human security theory / practice / experimentation / innovation, that gives more attention to national experiences Following local processes of evolution on the notion of security, but influenced by experiences elsewhere In general, national experiences attest to human security strength exploring the subjective side of insecurity, addressing misperceptions of threats Guiding the evolution of security institutions Informing debates about priorities (and national statistics) Allowing the convergence of different stakeholders to produce inclusive solutions