Human Security And Governance: A Conceptual Framework

The article offers a conceptual framework of human security in the 21st century. Traditional notion of security has changed dramatically. However, the State remains the fundamental purveyor of security, which it often fails to provide. That is why attention has shifted from the security of the State to the security of the people. When the idea of an independent Commission for Human Security was launched at the 2000 UN Millennium Summit, there was a general agreement on the importance of ensuring ‘freedom from want’ and ‘freedom from fear.’ In addition to the long familiar problems and vulnerabilities, there is a new breed of threats to human security in the form of terrorist attacks, ethnic violence, epidemics and economic downturns. There is also a fear that existing institutions and policies are not able to cope with the weakening multilateralism, falling respect for human rights, eroding commitment to eradicate poverty and deprivation, outdated sectarian perspectives in education and the tendency to neglect global responsibilities in an increasingly integrated world. At the same time, the opportunities for working towards removing insecurity across the world are also greater now than ever before. There has also been a massive increase in the role of civil society and of community organisations. Further, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of the UN represent a major global initiative aimed at removing deprivation and improving human security.