Human security and UN SDGs

One important trend that we need to note is the shift from the traditional state-centric approach to a more expansive understanding of the concept of security, as outlined by Griffiths, O’Callaghan and Roach (2008). 

These scholars gave two reasons for the shift; the first being the fact that most violent conflicts in the world today are within states. Group identity and culture are the two factors at stake in many of these conflicts. 

Secondly, the scholars said the capacity of the state to provide security for its citizens has been eroded by a range of non-military threats such as environmental problems, population growth, disease, refugees, and resources scarcity.

Globalization is another factor; it has made the world a big global village. States are now interconnected economically and via technology making it hard to engage in state-to-state conflict.

This understanding of security by Griffiths, O’Callaghan and Roach (2008) leads us to the debate between state security and human security. To help us understand the debate, we consult the wisdom of Lawson (2012). According to her book, UNDP in a report published in 1994, defined human security in terms of safety from chronic threats such as hunger, disease and repression as well as ‘protection from sudden and hurtful disruptions in the patterns of daily life – whether in homes, in jobs or in communities’ (Cited in Lawson 2012).

Human security issues outlined in the definition strongly feature in the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN and UNDP. Goal 1, 2 and 3 are the two most obvious goals. Goal 1 talks about ending poverty in all its forms everywhere, Goal 2 talks about ending hunger and achieving food security, while Goal 3 talks about ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages.

Lawson’s (2012) understanding of human security stems from the UNDP report and connects with Griffiths, O’Callaghan and Roach’s (2008) description of non-military threats. Threats such as environmental problems, populations growth, diseases, refugees, and resource scarcity are connected to Lawson’s (2012) seven human security issues.

According to Lawson (2012: 93), the first issue is economic security. Lawson (2012) said this issue consists of freedom from poverty. 

To address the problem of scarcity China has engaged in a very interesting business practice aimed at looking after its population. The acquisition of Manassen Food Groups by Bright Foods Group from Shanghai shows that China is concerned about the issue of economic security. 

The UN talks about reducing poverty by 2030 for people everywhere in Goal 1 of the Sustainable Development Goals. China is doing this by mobilizing this resource in order to feed its population. China wants its huge population to be free from poverty that is why it bought this particular fruit company in Australia. 

Citrus case involving Australia and China is a case of food security as well. Citrus fruits contain vitamin C, this nourishing quality makes it important for human consumption. The strategy employed by China is aimed at making sure there is a constant supply of citrus to the country to feed its massive population.

Let us not forget that this issue is outlined in Goal 2 of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. The UN wants to end hunger by 2030 and ensure people everywhere in vulnerable situations have access to sufficient food all year round.  

Lawson’s (2012: 93) third issue of human security is health security. This issue talks about the access to health care and protection from disease. 

Our maternal mortality rate and the case of drug resistant Tuberculosis are examples. Australia is now funding Papua New Guinea through their scholarship scheme to study midwifery in institutions like the Lutheran School of Nursing here in Madang. Such a program will help improve our antenatal heath care. 

What the Australian Government is doing in partnership with the PNG Government is in adherence to Goal 3 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The plan is to reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births.  

We all know about the work World Vision is doing in Daru and other parts of the country with the DOTS treatment and the fight against drug resistant TB. They have heath workers who go around to make sure that patients are taking their TB medication faithfully for the duration of the treatment. If patients stop in the middle of their treatment they will develop drug resistant TB which has no cure.

World Vision, the Australian Government and the Department of Health are working in line with Goal 3 of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal. The plan is to end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria by 2030 by increasing health funding and developing the workforce to combat such threats. This is evident in the Australian scholarship program where health is a priority sector. 

Not forgetting the Zika virus. In the first half of this year everyone was scared about the Zika virus. The Olympic games in Rio was nearly cancelled because of the Zika threat. Heath experts and the media was monitoring the spread of the virus throughout the world.

Reference:

Griffiths, M., O’Callaghan, T., & Roach, S. C. (2008). International relations the key concepts (2^nd ed.). New York: Routledge.

Lawson, S. (2012). International relations (2^nd ed.). Cambridge: Polity Press.