What is human security?

Human security starts with people and what it means for us to be safe and secure. It means security from harmful disruptions and calamities – in our homes, our jobs, our communities, and our environment.

It’s also about our needs and hopes, our chance to develop our potential, especially those of us who are the most vulnerable.

Human security is about empowering people to participate in making choices on how they can be most secure and resilient in face of current and future risks.

In 2012, the UN General Assembly – made up of more than 190 nations as UN Member States – affirmed a common understanding of human security: “The right of people to live in freedom and dignity, free from poverty and despair. All individuals, in particular vulnerable people, are entitled to freedom from fear and freedom from want, with an equal opportunity to enjoy all their rights and fully develop their human potential.”

Campaign Objectives

The campaign will expand and clarify the concept of security which has become too limited in many people’s minds to that of only national and military security. The human security campaign will emphasize both the importance of national commitments as well as the role of individuals as agents for human security.

The campaign will stimulate and invigorate a global conversation and promote human security at multiple levels, such as social and mainstream media, and civic, educational and political institutions. We want to change the paradigm of how security is approached and demonstrate that the UN is not just for nations, but for people too. Some of the key goals of the human security campaign include:

Influence of HS approach
Explore how human security affects people’s daily lives, the fulfillment of their dreams, hopes and ambitions, and share these findings with the general public, decision-makers and thought leaders.
Network of Networks
Create a network of networks that galvanizes organizations seeking to promote human security.
Influence of HS approach
Assist organizations, scholars, journalists, and lay people in spreading the human security message. Elevate the concept in conjunction with the UN. Create and supply media assets to partners to help them promote the message.

Seven Dimensions of Human Security

Archives —

Is human-security-centered Artificial Intelligence (AI) possible?
Is AI a catalyst or a threat to human security?
Regulation of AI to enhance the Human Security approach
The role of technology in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals
Technology’s role in poverty alleviation, nuclear disarmament, climate change mitigation and other socio-economic challenges
How can technology education impart a sense of social responsibility?
What paradigm change is needed in our education to align technological development with greater human security?
Values and ethics in science and technology education

Explore these and other interesting topics at The Sixth International Online Conference on Education for Human Security, organised by WAAS, SNSPA, SDSN, BSUN and WUC on March 7-9, 2023. To be held online

Technology is a double-edged sword. That’s the nature of technology. We can’t afford unidimensional focusing anymore. We’ve got to equip our companies, our business leaders, and our technical people to understand this and consciously work to maximize the benefits while minimizing the side effects.”

— Garry Jacobs, President and CEO, WAAS

Proposals for Presentations, papers and session organization on any of the above topics are invited.
Maximum length of proposals is 250 words. Proposals are invited for submission by January 10, 2023. Fill this form to send your proposals.
The e-conference is intended to be a highly interactive exchange of views centered around critical questions, issues, opportunities, challenges and solutions. The format of sessions will include special issue-based sessions, moderated panel discussions, roundtables, and presentation of papers.

Related Upcoming Event

Technology for Human Security is the central theme of CES 2023, the most influential tech event in the world, to be held in Las Vegas, USA on 5-8 January 2023. To generate awareness of the challenges and potential solutions, the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security and the World Academy of Art and Science have launched HS4A, a global campaign on Human Security for All. HS4A has formed an alliance with Consumer Technology Association (CTA) to inform and promote innovative solutions by businesses to address the full gamut of global human security issues.

If you have any questions or need more information, please write to support@worldacademy.org

Series of Conferences on Education

Technology is a double-edged sword. That’s the nature of technology. We can’t afford unidimensional focusing anymore. We’ve got to equip our companies, our business leaders, and our technical people to understand this and consciously work to maximize the benefits while minimizing the side effects.”

— Garry Jacobs, President and CEO, WAAS

How can Human Security themes be taught in Liberal Arts Education?