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Development Policy Forum (DPF)
'Future World' lunch debate

Tuesday 9 March 2010

Human security in the arab world:
Defining a role for Europe

DPF 'Future World' Lunch Debate

Human security is a concept that is gaining increasing attention from policy-makers and analysts in regions around the world. In 2004, the Barcelona Group reported on the principles of a human security doctrine for Europe. In 2009, the European Development Report focused on the fragile African states. The 2009 Arab Human Development Report focused on human security in the Arab world. Is the focus of security really shifting from the state to the individual? What reforms can we make in terms of policy, and in terms of action, to incorporate this changing perspective? How can we explain and spread this concept, while still accounting for regional differences in perspective and experience? Does the responsibility for human security lie with the Arab States themselves? Or is there a role for the EU and other external actors? And if so, what should this role be?

Introductory remarks by:

Amat Al Alim Alsoswa, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Director of its Regional Bureau for Arab States

Comments by panellists:

Tomás Duplá del Moral, European Commission's Director for Middle East and South Mediterranean at the Directorate General for External Relations

Malcolm Smart, Director for Middle East and North America at Amnesty International in London