Taking on security from an individual perspective, the panel debate “Human Security: You and I Matter” at the Bled Strategic Forum saw the participants establish that a concerted and comprehensive approach at the global is needed to enhance human security, with education on human rights being one of the key elements.
Ambassador Damjan Bergant, Director of ITF Enhancing Human Security, said that human security was a right in itself, and that human security and human rights are two mutually reinforcing concepts.
According to Bergant, the latest challenge is to reach consensus at global level about providing human security.
“We have seen the return of state security, put in the forefront, sometimes at the expense of human security,” he said, adding that a solution was to make state and human security coexist and be reinforced.
Sir Fazle Abed, Chairperson of BRAC, called for a comprehensive approach to human security provided by millennium development goals.
Eradication of poverty, protection of the environment and fight against climate change are the measures governments should take to ultimately provide human security, Sir Abed added.
H. E. Mr Mangala Samaraweera, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, admitted that his country was an example of what can happen “when you allow human security to erode”.
According to him, Sri Lanka has taken up the challenge of putting the foundation for a new vision for regaining human security by means of reconciliation and the promotion of self-respect and human rights.
Ms Montserrat Feixas Vihé, UNHCR Regional Representative for Central Europe, pointed to the refugee crisis, saying that while it was essential that the root causes were addressed, it was just as important to mitigate the pain and suffering of refugees.
Ms Feixas Vihé stressed that the issue could only be addressed if there was a concerted, global action.
Mr Michel Chikwanine, Student at University of Toronto and Motivational Speaker, meanwhile warned about the issue of child soldiers, as he presented his personal experience from DR Kongo at the age of five.
Wondering how one can end the issue of child soldiers, Mr Chikwanine said that fixing the issue of poverty and lack of education was perhaps a solution, in addition to sustainable development goals.