A Conceptual Framework for Human Security.

The paper reviews the ways that human security has been defined, provides a working definition and shows how this can form the basis of operational responses by many different institutions. New threats to human wellbeing, associated with globalisation, climate change and conflict, have drawn attention to the need to protect human security, while it has come to be seen increasingly as a fundamental objective of foreign policy. Hence it is important to identify a working definition. A review of definitions in the literature point to freedom from need and vulnerability as being fundamental characteristics. The working definition suggested in the paper is based on safeguarding, or protecting, human beings against economic, political, health and natural hazards that are beyond their immediate control. It is argued that there is a vital core of elements that should be included in the working definition, in general encompassing freedom from fear and from want—the exact constituents of this vital core may be defined differently by different societies. It is argued that human security is a necessary part of human development and fulfilment, but it is not sufficient. Requirements for human development and wellbeing go beyond those of human security