Guiding Principles

The Human Security Network is an informal, cross-regional group of like-minded countries committed to realising a vision of a humane world where people can live in security and dignity, free from poverty and despair . Working together as a Network, as well as alongside civil society organizations, multilateral institutions, and other like-minded states, the HSN is committed to:

•  drawing international attention to emerging threats to people's safety , security and well-being ;

•  identifying concrete areas for collective action on human security;

•  promoting greater understanding of, and support for, human security issues;

•  advancing human security issues at the regional level, and within regional groups, and through international negotiations and conferences.

Areas of Cooperation

1) Effective multilateral institutions

The development of more effective multilateral institutions, that can better protect and promote human security, has been a long-standing priority of the Network. As the UN and its main organs strive to meet the challenges of the evolving security environment, the Network has an ongoing role to play in constructively contributing to this process.

Areas of focus in 2005-2008 will include, inter alia ,

• p romoting the key human security principles and recommendations expressed in the March 2005 Secretary General's report: In larger freedom , and highlighted in the HSN Ministerial Statement on Human Security and UN Reform;

2) Human Rights

Respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, equally for women and men, girls and boys, is at the core of human security and conflict prevention, and closely interlinked with human development.

Areas of focus in 2005-2008 will include, inter alia,,

• exploring avenues for Network members to work together in supporting efforts to strengthen the effectiveness of UN human rights mechanisms in promotion and protection of human rights, including their effective implementation;
• enhancing partnership with relevant agencies, including the UN, regional human rights institutions and civil society, to promote and protect human rights, and to implement international human rights norms and standards.
• s upporting regional organizations which contribute to the advancement of the human security agenda. In this context, the HSN commends the role of the Regional Human Security Center in Amman , Jordan , and supports its functions which embody the principles and goals of the Network , as well as commends the joint project of Austria , Jordan and Slovenia designed for Iraqi teachers working with children affected by armed conflict.
• building on past activities and further exploring avenues for cooperation in promoting human rights education, especially within the context of the World Programme for Human Rights Education, as an essential step towards cultivating a culture of peace and an effective long-term strategy to protect and promote human rights;
• continuing work to reform the Commission on Human Rights, particularly in light of the proposed creation of a Human Rights Council, and ensuring that human rights remain at the centre of the UN's work;

• Clarifying the links between human rights, including women's human rights, and conflict prevention.
• continuing support for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, including its work in the field.

3) Protection of civilians

Among the most tragic features of contemporary conflicts has been their disproportionate impact on civilian populations. The Network must continue to accord the protection of civilian populations full priority, both preventively and during armed conflicts, and to integrate the gender dimensions of protection across this broad spectrum. In addition to activities the Network would do jointly, it is essential that the Network lead by example, pursuing as appropriate a better understanding of and compliance with the various norms and legal frameworks related to civilian protection domestically, and encouraging the promotion of similar efforts regionally, including supporting regional mechanisms as appropriate (for example, the AU Special Representative on the Protection of Civilians).

Areas of focus in 2005-2008 will include, inter alia ,

• c ontinuing to promote further discussion and dialogue on "The Responsibility to Protect” within the context of the Secretary General's report on UN reform;
• advancing implementation of Security Council Resolutions 1460 and 1539 on Children affected by Armed conflict within and through the HSN, paying specific attention to the development of a UN Monitoring, Reporting and Compliance Mechanism for violations of children's rights in conflict situations;
• advancing implementation of Security Council Resolution 1265 and 1296 on the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict at the UN and in regional forums;
• increasing Network advocacy on the protection of civilians agenda, including through workshops involving Network members;
• supporting the strengthening of the international humanitarian system as outlined in the Secretary General's report: In larger freedom and related recommendations on strengthening country-level responses to the needs of internally displaced persons.

4) Small arms, light weapons, and landmines

The threat to human security posed by landmines and the proliferation and misuse of small arms and light weapons continues to impede economic development, exacerbate violence, and undermine peacebuilding efforts. The Network must continue its efforts to address these urgent issues from a human security perspective to ensure the protection of people and their communities from the threat of armed and indiscriminate violence .

Areas of focus in 2005-2008 will include , inter alia,

• s upporting implementation of the Nairobi Summit Action Plan , including the areas of mine clearance, victim assistance and resource mobilization;
• c ontinuing to work individually and as a group to encourage universal adherence to the Ottawa Convention, and its full implementation by States Parties;
• promotion of a people-centred perspective in the context of the UN Process on small arms, including at the 2005 Biennial Meeting of States and the 2006 Review Conference of the Programme of Action , as well as in the General Assembly;
• w orking individually and as a group to encourage the establishment of a more comprehensive UN Programme of Action on SALW that includes consideration of the human costs and socioeconomic consequences of the uncontrolled proliferation and misuse of SALW;
• increasing Network advocacy for the people-centred approach to the small arms issue at the local, national, regional and international levels.

5) Women, Peace and Security

Human security will not be fully realized until we effectively address the fact that women and girls are disproportionately targeted by sexual and gender-based violence and that they are under-represented in all aspects of peace processes. In order to achieve sustainable development and peace, we must ensure women's full and equal participation at every stage of the peacebuilding process and reconstruction efforts, and in so doing, set the stage for women's sustained and comprehensive involvement, as full and equal stakeholders and agents of change, in their post-reconstruction society.

Areas of focus in 2005-2008 will include, inter alia ,

• develop thinking on Women, Peace and Security as a cross-cutting theme that interacts with and impacts upon other issues, for example, peace-building, conflict prevention, sustainable development, and public health;
• a dvancing implementation of Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security concurrently on a number of fronts, in particular ensuring women's full and equal participation in peace processes, including negotiations, priority-setting and decision-making, fully revealing and eliminating violence against women, and providing gender-awareness training for military and civilian peacekeepers;
• integrating gender equality as a cross-cutting element throughout all HSN priorities;

6)HIV/AIDS

The HIV/AIDS pandemic poses an unprecedented threat to human development and security. More than just a public health crisis, AIDS undermines economic and social stability, ravaging health, education, agriculture and social welfare systems. While placing enormous drag on economic growth, it also weakens governance and security structures, posing a further threat. HIV/AIDS therefore constitutes a threat that transcends "freedom from fear" and "freedom from want" while posing a challenge for "freedom to live in dignity".

Areas of focus in 2005-2008 will include, inter alia,,

• advancing implementation of the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS and outcomes of the 2004 XV International AIDS Conference in Bangkok , especially the Bangkok Declaration and the HSN Joint Statement on HIV/AIDS delivered during the Conference;
• working individually and collectively as appropriate to ensure that human security perspective is reflected in the process and outcomes of the High-level Meeting to review the progress achieved in realising the commitments set out in the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS to be held in New York on 2 June 2005;
• contributing to the development of a strong global HIV/AIDS prevention strategy, currently being elaborated by UNAIDS in consultation with stakeholders;
• promoting sharing of experiences and best practices in addressing HIV/AIDS across regions, with a particular emphasis on Africa and Asia ;
• working in partnership with international organisations, governments, civil society and private sector in ensuring greater access to effective care, treatment and support, as well as sharing of experiences on community-based response strategies;
• working with the Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women to examine, clearly articulate and better address the interconnections of HIV/AIDS and violence against women, considering violence both as cause and consequence of HIV/AIDS;
• strengthening the response to HIV/AIDS amongst refugees and displaced persons, in particular by working with UNHCR and the Global Fund to Fight Aids, TB and Malaria;
• working together to prepare for the 2006 International AIDS Conference in Toronto to ensure a broad and effective coverage of the human security aspects of the pandemic

7) Poverty and People-centred Development

Poverty and underdevelopment are a source of insecurity. Poor people are more exposed to a whole range of vulnerabilities, such as exclusion, discrimination, and human rights violations on a daily basis. They are more vulnerable to political and economic emergencies and all forms of violence as they are powerless and often lack necessary resources and access to critical life opportunities. Cognizant that empowerment through people-centred development constitutes an effective form of long-term protection, the Network is committed to address this critical challenge so as to achieve a comprehensive and sustainable approach to realising a vision of human security for all.

Areas of focus in 2005-2008 will include, inter alia ,

• working individually and as a group, in collaboration with international organisations, civil society and academia, to raise awareness about people-centred development approaches to human security and their contributions to culture of prevention;
• exploring avenues for cooperation to further strengthen partnership for development with an aim to contribute to effective realisation of internationally agreed development targets, including those indicated in the Millennium Declaration and the Millennium Development Goals;
• working individually and as a group to address challenges of securing basic human needs, which are closely linked to the enjoyment of freedom from want and freedom to live in dignity, with a particular attention given to empowerment measures.

8) Emerging Issues

While it is important for the Network to retain its focus during the coming years, the HSN should also be ready to explore new and emerging human security priorities, which might benefit from HSN engagement and promotion.

O pportunities for action

The core priorities outlined above can best be pursued through a range of activities and approaches. These include:

1) Cooperation in the context of international fora and events

In the coming years, a number of decisive international events present critical opportunities for HSN engagement and action. Network involvement in these events will be important at each stage of the process:

•  P reparatory stage : providing input, as appropriate, in the planning and structuring of the event in order to encourage the inclusion of a human security perspective. This could take the form of diplomatic engagement, meetings with other like-minded, or the organi s ation of roundtables or workshops to develop thinking on key issues.

•  D uring the event : working together, bilaterally, and within regional groups to advance a p eople-centred perspective during negotiations; organi s ing workshops and roundtables on the margins to encourage greater understanding of key principles; delivering joint statements when they will be useful to communicate a stronger message.

•  Implementation stage : supporting implementation of key human security commitments following the event.

A timetable of international events should be updated regularly by the Chair of the Network. The Chair will be responsible for coordinating with HSN countries on possible joint actions during various stages of each event.

2) Ministerial Meetings

The engagement of HSN Ministers, and their guidance, remains essential to the relevance and impact of the work of the Network. Ministers should continue to meet on the margins of the UN General Assembly, as well as in the country of the Chair of the Network, on a yearly basis. Senior officials of the Network have the responsibility to ensure that these meetings are planned in such way as to facilitate discussions amongst Ministers, and between Ministers and civil society, of items on the workplan, as well as those issues of pressing political importance.

3) Cooperation in the implementation of key UN Security Council , General Assembly, ECOSOC resolutions as well as human security elements in outcome documents of key international conferences

4 ) Cooperation in capitals, Geneva and New York

The HSN has formed important linkages at the working level amongst experts in capitals, and at missions in Geneva and New York . These types of collaborative activities are essential for the ongoing development of the Network. They provide a forum for the HSN to investigate cutting-edge human security issues, develop principles, explore linkages between issues, and reach out to like-minded states and civil society partners. They can take the form of ongoing working-level meetings; experts meetings; brainstorming sessions; and roundtable discussions.

5) Coordination through the mechanism of Troika as agreed upon at the Ministerial Meeting in Graz , Austria

6 ) Cooperation with civil society and academia

The partnership between the HSN and civil society has been an important element of the Network's work since its creation. International and national non-governmental organizations and academics play a crucial role in developing, advocating, building and implementing human security. The Network must further develop these partnerships, promoting greater engagement between governments and civil society on human security issues.

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