Page 10 - Empowerment and Protection - Stories of Human Security

Many civil society organisations around the world shape their principles and operational strategies around the people-centred approach articulated
by the human security frameworkc. As a global network of civil society peacebuilding organisations, the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC) is founded on the premise and principles of human security.3 Alongside its network members and partners, GPPAC has rallied around the need for its practical implementation.4 Based on the assumption that local populations and governing authorities are best placed to define and address the security threats that they face, many peacebuilding organisations and practitioners relate to human security as an overarching theory of change on
the path towards sustainable and just peace. One example of complementarity between the broader
The principles of human security call for a domestic policy framework.
field of human security and peacebuilding practice can be found in the concept of ‘infrastructures
for peace’, which emphasises the enhancement of local mediation and conflict prevention structures as translated through institutions, policies and capacities at the national level.d
Human security as a domestic agenda
Referring to the stories presented here, we argue that the principles of human security call for a domestic policy framework; one which directs
the state to address the needs, vulnerabilities and coping mechanisms of society, and where response strategies emerge from and build on existing capacities amongst a variety of local actors. The many views expressed in the country chapters suggest that the existence and agency of a state is
c Practical examples were outlined in: The Human Security approach
in Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding - A Civil Society Position Paper - GPPAC, Civil Security Network for Human Security, IKV Pax Christi, April 2013 d UNDP defines infrastructures for peace as 'A network of interdependent systems, resources, values and skills held by government, civil society and community institutions that promote dialogue and consultation; prevent conflict and enable peaceful mediation when violence occurs in a society.' UNDP Issue Brief: Infrastructure for Peace, 2013
central to achieving human security. But they also illustrate how the abuse of power or negligence of both state and non-state actors can undermine human security, highlighting the importance of addressing power dynamics. The stories from Mexico, Zimbabwe and the Philippines illustrate means for addressing such challenges peacefully and by drawing strength from local structures, traditions and social actors.
Peacebuilding and development interventions can only work in the long term if they respond to local demand, and are accepted and supported by the people they are intended to benefit. It is widely accepted by now that inclusivity and processes
that are steered and owned by local actors are key to sustainable development and peace. However, this idea of ‘local ownership’ is often unclear, and needs to be negotiated within each individual context.5 By enhancing of methodologies that can take into account subjective and diverse interest groups, the human security approach can make local ownership more tangible. Moreover, while such efforts can be constructively supported by regional and international ‘outsiders’, human security also calls attention to the need for accountability of international interventions to local populations.
Empowerment and protection
The implementation of a human security approach calls for the protection and empowerment of populations, implying the need for both ‘top- down’ and ‘bottom-up’ measures. The stories
from practitioners and communities in their different contexts illustrate the range of coping strategies people resort to in order to feel secure, and whom or what they turn to for protection. Security providers tend to range from self- protection (individual, family, community), to ‘horizontal’ protection by non-state actors (lifelines, humanitarian organisations, militant groups), and ‘vertical’ protection by state actors, foreign state and/or intergovernmental actors such as NATO
or UN troops.6 The striking paradox that can be found throughout the stories is that these have in some cases also become the threat, either through ‘dysfunctional’ empowerment strategies such as self-arming of non-state actors, or through abuse of power by states and intervening foreign forces, for instance in counter-terrorism strategies that undermine human rights. This calls for greater accountability of all security providers and for heightened civilian oversight of law enforcement.
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