UNDP's Human Development Report 1994: New Dimensions
of Human Security has brought to the fore the notion of human security in
the development discourse. It is a concept built upon a twin foundations
freedom: freedom from fear and freedom from want. It also clearly reflects a
belief that human development is simply unthinkable while most of the world's
population are in a constant state of fear and hunger. This belief has recently
also been echoed by Obama in his speech at the acceptance of Nobel Peace Prize (2009), 'It is undoubtedly true that development rarely takes root
without security; it is also true that security does not exist where human
beings do not have access to enough food, or clean water, or the medicine they
need to survive. It does not exist where children cannot aspire to decent
education or a job that supports a family.'
It is with this background in
mind that the significance of the notion of human security becomes even more
obvious as the world is approaching the date set for achieving the targets of
the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in 2015. MDGs was adopted in 2000 as a
reflection of firm commitment of the international community to use every means
to help people
rise above extreme poverty through specific measures: (1) eradicating extreme
poverty and hunger; (2) achieving universal primary education; (3) promoting
gender equality and empowering women; (4) reducing child mortality; (5)
improving maternal health; (6) combating HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases;
(7) ensuring environmental sustainability; and (8) developing a global
partnership for development.
While progress towards achieving
the targets of the MDGs has undoubtedly been made in many countries, the fact
that the challenges to human security is on the rise simply indicates that the
achievement of targets of the MDGs in 2015 is at best doubtful. The challenges
of human security, therefore, need to be properly and seriously addressed. It is within this context that
developing countries have to double their effort to combat human insecurity in
their respective countries. And, enhancing partnership and cooperation among
themselves will undoubtedly make difference to this effort.
OBJECTIVES
1.
To provide a venue for dialogues among government officials, policy makers,
stakeholders, civil society organizations,scholars and academics from the
developing countries
concerning rising and challenging issues in the regions.
2.
To further dig up and revitalize the solidarity of developing countries in
facing the issues of human security and its correlation with achievements in
MDGs.
3.
To capitalize on lessons learned from various countries experience in
managing the stumbling block in achieving MDG through dealing with human
security issues.
4.
To strengthen network and cooperation among scholars and academics from
developing countries for the promotion of human security awareness.
