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Exploring concepts: human security and peacebuilding

24/02/2009 By Covadonga Morales

Peacebuilding is a concept and practice that forms a considerable part of policies towards so-called states in crisis, post-conflict or fragile states. Since the nineties, peacebuilding has become a broad field encompassing many different aspects, such as the creation or strengthening of the rule of law and security, the provision of essential services for populations and the promotion of institutionalisation.

Alongside peacebuilding there has evolved the concept of human security, which prioritises citizen protection in areas such as access to healthcare and education, as well as guarantees and protection for rights, gender equality and democratic participation in political life. In its widest acceptation, human security posits the notion that citizens should be free of need, and in a narrower acceptation, that they should be free from fear.

Neither concept is free from controversy. The differences between peace- and state-building, for example, are not clear in debate or in practice. Some sectors consider the concept of human security to be very broad, vague and imprecise.

FRIDE and .IECAH. jointly organised a seminar to explore both concepts and to discuss their adoption in Spanish and EU policies. The Activity Brief summarises the debate and conclusions of the event.

 

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Keywords

Civil society Democracy Peacebuilding Security

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Bio author: Covadonga Morales

Covadonga Morales Bertrand graduated in Political Science and Public Administration from the Complutense University in Madrid. Specialized in International Relations, she has worked as project manager for the United Nations in New York and Kenia. Currently she works as independent consultan