چكيده فارسي :
In the new international context defined by rapid globalization, the traditional approach to security – that is, hard security, conceived of in military terms and operating primarily at the state level – is increasingly being replaced with new approaches focusing on soft security, in which human security is seen as forming the basis of national and international security. Human security is a new paradigm centred on the individual, rather than the state, and is inextricably linked to human and sustainable development, which has secured this concept a significant role as the focus of academic circles. International organizations, such as UNESCO, are endeavouring to promote human security within the societies of their Member States, and to convene regional conferences in this regard.
It may be argued that human security has long existed as a concept or an ideal, albeit without that specific name. After all, the constitutions of some countries, as well as some international organizations, tend to strengthen human dignity and fulfillment, and in this regard the Constitution of UNESCO stipulates that it shall “…contribute to peace and security by promoting collaboration among the nations through education, science and culture…”(1), epitomizing the collaborative, international approach found in human security. At the same time it explicitly states that “Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed”(2), thus acknowledging the limitations to a state-level, militaristic interpretation of peace and security, and giving the individual a role of responsibility to play in achieving it.
Human security gained recognition as a concept on the publication of the United Nations Development Programme’s Human Development Report 1994, which stated that “The world can never be at peace unless people have security in their daily lives.”(3) This concept, which focused on individuals and related their security to human development and human rights, defined the seven components of human security as being economic security, food security, health security, environmental security, personal (physical) security, community security, and political security. While this undoubtedly made a major contribution in defining and clarifying the concept, it remains controversial and sensitive subject whose exact definition is still disputed.
It is to be noted the primary architect of the concept of human security was Mahbub ul-Haq, the late visionary Pakistani economist, Special Adviser to the United Nations Development Programme and founder of the Human Development Report. The first references to the term “human security” are to be found in the 1993 and 1994 reports, and he expanded the concept in his work “New Imperatives of Human Security”, published in 1994(4). This demonstrates that the scholars of West Asia have contributed to the initiation of this concept, although it was later to be interpreted differently. West Asian countries should therefore endeavour to give this concept their own signification.
Human security is related to the daily life of the citizens of the world, including those of West Asia, and this concept - which has been used in the evolving situation of the new international era - demonstrates the importance of looking at humanity as a whole. However, this issue should be regarded from the viewpoint that all nations and regions should contribute to the elaboration of this concept, and it should not be a concept to be used as an instrument or tool to be imposed on others. Thus, all developing countries should have an active presence in the process of defining the concept and its terms, which are linked to the destiny of human societies, and prevent the imposition of one particular approach on all humanity or the instrumentalization of this concept by certain powers. While various developing countries have some reservations about this concept, they should neither neglect nor reject it, but rather try to give it their own definition and moderation and to be active regarding the inclusion of their views for the promotion of this concept, so that it may include the views of all.
West Asia, as the centre of inter-cultural dialogue and the rise of great divine religions, particularly Islam, has a great role to play in the contribution to this concept. In a practical approach, if this concept is regarded from an inclusive and prescriptive point of view to encounter and solve many problems, such as disease, drugs, immigration and refugees, it can promote the social security of citizens in the region as well as in their own societies. Even if this concept has been raised by certain countries for political reasons or motivations, it does not mean that this concept has been monopolized by these countries and others cannot contribute to its promotion. We should take a passive approach to it in believing that because it has been created with some signification, it should either be taken as it is or rejected; instead, a proactive approach is required in which we should endeavour to contribute to this concept ourselves. If developing countries wish to have an active presence in the process of elaborating global concepts and international norms, and to avoid the imposition of some unilateral concepts, in this international era they should be more present in the conceptualization process within international organizations, for example by participating in drafting sessions, discussing terminology and approving international regulations. However, the concept of human security is not a new concept in West Asia, as it has its origins in the history of Islamic thought in the region.
