【Close】Open symposium “The Current Significance of Human Security in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals”

It has been 25 years since the concept of Human Security was introduced in the Human Development Report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 1994. Various discussions about Human Security took place in many parts of the world until 2012, when it was agreed in the UN General Assembly Resolution that the concept of human security is designed to address “widespread and cross-cutting challenges” to “the survival, livelihood and dignity of people” with “people-centered, comprehensive, context-specific and prevention-oriented responses.” It was also decided to continue its discussion on human security*.

Since 2004, JICA has been making efforts to apply the concept of human security into practice in its operations**. In its Vision statement renewed in 2017, JICA committed to work on human security as its Mission.

On the other hand, there is a growing awareness of the usefulness of the approaches and the concept of Human Security in achieving a society where the principle of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) "leaving no one left behind"*** is applied, and in responding to the risks that hinder the achievement of the SDGs.

This symposium will offer the opportunity to deepen the understanding of how the approaches and the concept of Human Security are utilized by researchers, practitioners and the United Nations to resolve the problems in achieving SDGs from each standing point. In doing so, we would attempt to re-examine its significance and how the concept is understood in the context of SDGs. Through the discussion among the panelists and the floor, we aim at drawing lessons and implications to realize better international cooperation.

*UN General Assembly. 2012. Follow-up to paragraph 143 on human security of the 2005 World Summit outcome. A/Res/66/290. New York: UN.
**JICA conducted a research project entitled “Human Security in Practice: East Asian Experiences.” We have deepened our understanding of the concept of Human Security and the its operationalization through holding seminars and publishing books while publishing policy notes with the aim to promote the implementation of the concept.
*** It is declared in the 2030 agenda for sustainable development by the United Nations in September 2015.

17:00-17:05
Opening remarks by Takao Toda, Vice President, JICA

17:05-17:50
Keynote speech 1
“Human security approach to SDGs and its implications” by Yukio Takasu
Keynote speech 2
“The current discussions and trends on Human Security in ASEAN” by Mely Caballero-Anthony
Keynote speech 3
“Human Security in practice: The case of Mindanao in the Philippines” by Sachiko Ishikawa

17:55-18:55
Panel Discussion (with Kaoru Kurusu’s input as the commentator)/Q&A

18:55-19:00
Closing remarks by Izumi Ohno, Director, JICA Research Institute

※ Snacks and drinks will be provided after the symposium. Please feel free to attend.

Yukio Takasu, Special Adviser on Human Security to the UN Secretary-General
Mely Caballero-Anthony, Professor of International Relations and Head of Centre for Non-Traditional Security Studies, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Sachiko Ishikawa, Senior Advisor, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
Kurusu Kaoru, Professor of International Relations, Kobe University, and President, Japan Association for Human Security Studies

* Moderator: Ryutaro Murotani, Director, Office for Global Issues and Development Partnership, Operations Strategy Department, JICA

JICA Research Institute (Ms. Kono)
E-mail：ditas-rsunit@jica.go.jp

This event has ended.