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Protecting and enhancing the well-being and safety of individuals, particularly in the face of various threats and crises

Human Security Units focus on expanding the understanding of human security beyond just a theoretical construct. The goal is to create a forward-thinking, people-centric, and justice-based blueprint for policy-making in the realm of security, with an emphasis on intersectionality.

Enhancing Individual Safety and Well-being in Society
Enhancing Individual Safety and Well-being in Society

Protecting and enhancing the well-being and safety of individuals, particularly in the face of various threats and crises

In the realm of global security, a new discourse is gaining traction - the human security discourse. This platform offers a unique opportunity for individuals and communities to become equal stakeholders in addressing critical and pervasive threats to peace and security.

However, the human security discourse is not without its critics. Its broadness and the challenge of implementing it within a security paradigm dominated by states are often cited as issues. Nevertheless, its potential to foster more pluralistic and inclusive debates on security-related questions is undeniable. By focusing on the root causes of conflict and the lived experiences of insecurity, human security has the potential to offer a closer approach to resolving these issues.

The interest in the human security approach is not limited to the United Nations. Countries such as Canada, Norway, Switzerland, and even smaller states like Barbados have shown increased interest. These nations are often engaging through regional organizations, integration efforts, and national policy frameworks that address human rights, migration, and security in a comprehensive manner. For instance, Barbados is actively involved in regional security coordination and global rule-based order efforts, extending beyond the UN framework.

Yet, not all nations share this enthusiasm. Some states view human security as a threat to their strict interpretations of sovereignty.

In an effort to further explore the principles of human security and promote more direct, focused, and policy-oriented engagement with the concept, the Global Unit has been established. The goal is to offer alternative voices within the security paradigm, especially from the 'Global South', providing a forum and increasing their visibility. This shift aims to elevate human security beyond just an analytical tool and towards a progressive framework for intersectional and human-centric security policy making.

The Global Unit also seeks to examine synergies and overlaps between human security and other approaches to foreign and security policy, particularly Feminist Foreign Policy. By doing so, it hopes to foster a more holistic understanding and application of these concepts.

Despite the criticisms and challenges, there has been a re-engagement with the human security concept in recent years, including amongst traditional security players such as NATO. As the discourse continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how human security will shape the future of global security policy.

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