Seminar on Human Security Advised Track Meeting in Cairo

Insufficient understanding among governments has prevented the United Nations Commission on Human Rights from addressing the issue of violence against women with the seriousness that the immensity of the problem would require, said Finland’s Minister for Trade and Development Paula Lehtomäki in a human security seminar (Helsinki 28 Sept). Some sixty representatives of civil society gathered to discuss human security and to contribute to the Human Security Track’s meeting in Cairo (30 Sept.-2 Oct.2004).

Lehtomäki urged civil society actors to take up discussion of how international human rights administration can be strengthened and how a joint front to combat violence against women can be built. Lehtomäki emphasised that the empowerment of women improves the quality of life throughout the surrounding society. Women should be viewed as actors of change and as a significant development resource, Lehtomäki added.

The Development Policy Programme approved by the Finnish Government at the beginning of the year and the Government’s Report on Human Rights Policy also approved this year emphasise human rights as the point of departure for development, according to Lehtomäki. “Poor realisation of economic, social and educational rights often affects women and girls in particular. For instance, inadequate provision of basic education often means that girls’ right to education remains unattained. This, in turn, has far-reaching affects on development potential within the entire society,” Lehtomäki pointed out.

Professor Mittelman: new political architecture required

Executive Director of the Service Centre for Development Cooperation Ville Luukkanen challenged seminar participants to consider concrete proposals for advancing human security. “A new political architecture is required to bring about reforms,” said Professor James Mittelman from the American University in Washington. What is being secured and who is doing the securing are the two key questions, said Mittelman as he described the history of the concept of security.

Head of the Finnish Foreign Ministry’s Unit for Human Rights Policy, Johanna Suurpää, noted that the Helsinki Process has examined human security especially with regard to health, women’s rights, human trafficking and children in conflict regions. Chairman of the Finnish Peace Association, Kalevi Suomela, emphasised the emergence of a global civil society and its role in improving human security.

The business sector is interested to participate in partnerships that promote concrete and locally sustainable development believes Martin Granholm, Senior Strategic Advisor and Deputy CEO of UPM-Kymmene Corporation and member of the Human Security Track of the Helsinki Process. “From the perspective of corporate social responsibility, it is important that we find concrete measures for promoting sustainable development and human security,” emphasised Granholm. According to FinnWatch coordinator Eeva Simola, the impact of business activities and various construction projects on people’s social and environmental rights needs to be studied.

Finland should try to improve the European Union’s civil crisis management said Anne Palm, Executive Director of Civil Society Conflict Prevention Network. Executive Director of Amnesty International in Finland, Frank Johansson, questioned political decision-making. “Information about how to control the arms trade, how to promote equality and how to provide health education and medication is available. The question is: Can political will, and through it necessary funds, be found?”

Further information: Programme Manager Juha Mustonen, Helsinki Process Secretariat, gsm + 358 40 583 0945