In order to create increased security in this new world in which we live, we must focus on the issue of human security. When we ensure that basic human needs are met, we are creating a more secure world. When we work for social justice, or to stop global warming, or to provide decent education, or to end racism, we are creating a more secure world. The time has come to shift our energy and our resources from military security to a long-term investment in true human security.

The governments of the world spend massive amounts of money on weapons. In 2007, the United States alone sold $39.4 billion in conventional weapons to over 23 countries. When you add up the total arms trade for the world it comes to over $1 trillion dollars a year. It is all too clear that for many countries war and weapons is a big business. Nobel Laureate Jody Williams on Human Security “If we are going to make this radically changing planet secure, we have to think of the fundamental security of all… Peace is a big thing in the planet and it is not just the absence of armed conflict. Peace is socio-economic justice, gender equality, a world where people live with freedom from fear, and freedom from want.” But when we talk about security in the Global Call to Action, we are talking about something very different. We mean human security. Human security means that basic human needs are met for all people everywhere. Those needs include safe food and water, clean air and a decent place to live. It also means that all people should be safe or secure from oppression and discrimination because of their thoughts, religion, race, culture or sex. It is estimated that in 2006, world military spending totaled over $1.2 trillion. At the same time, non-military foreign aid from 22 major donor countries totaled only $103.7 billion in 2007. This means that the world spends more than 11 times as much on military budgets than on helping other countries improve the lives of their people. Looking at those numbers, it is clear that the world is on the wrong track in the quest for true security. The lack of human security often leads to violence and war. Oppression, discrimination and poverty breed anger and frustration. When people are not sure that their basic human needs will be met it is impossible to speak of real security. When people are not safe from their own governments, or from bigotry and hatred, it is impossible to have real security. When the very future of the planet is insecure because of global warming, there is no one who can have a sense of security about our collective fate. Not only does massive military spending keep the world’s focus on military power and war, but it also prevents us from providing for true human security through meeting the basic needs of all people. As global focus shifts to meeting all people’s basic human needs, the world will experience increased, lasting security for all. Learn More You can learn more about the issue of Human Security from these sources: Center for Unconventional Security Affairs Commission on Human Security Nobel Women's Initiative Project Ploughshares