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International Conference Human Security and Security Strategy:

Institutions and Policies in a European Perspective

 

Five day international conference Human Security and Security Strategy: Institutions and Policies in a European Perspective took place between May 25 and 29 2011 in Kiev, Ukraine.

The venue of the conference was hotel Vishegrad.

The purpose of the conference was to further enhance the academic quality of participants’ research and teaching, applying of the methods of interdisciplinary cross-national research and knowledge transfer in the area of human security in EU foreign and security policy and democratic security governance between universities, research institutions, think-tanks and security organizations in EU member states and non-EU countries. To maximize the impact of the cooperative learning experience, the conference involved a variety of activities – panes, workshops and working groups.

The objective of the conference:

1.                 To establish and examine the theoretical and methodological grounding of human-security policy-making, democratic security governance and security sector reform in countries through the review of key concepts, public policy documents and implementation approaches, to challenge where necessary the exiting orthodoxies in the related academic subjects locally, regionally and internationally;

2.                 To build networks and enhance cooperation between experts and institutions, dealing with security policy and to encourage collaborative research projects on new important topics;

3.                 To incorporate the latest research developments on European security strategy and human security doctrine/policy into curricula and teaching practice;

4.                 To help to better understand the human security problems in EU and, in particularly, in EU neighborhood that arises from political instability, economic crisis and violation of human rights, and thereby posing the risk of disintegration and regional conflict.

 

Working Groups, Panels and Presentations

Main conference theme

Prof. Sven Biscop and Prof. Stefan Wolff, in their welcome key presentations reviewed recent developments in European security policy, views that emerged concept of human security is radical departure from traditional security forms, elaborating on a number of key priorities of Human Security Doctrine for Europe: a set of principles for operation in situations of severe insecurity; a Human Security Response Force and new legal framework to govern both the decisions to intervene and operations on the grounds.

Panel: New Developments in EU Foreign and Security Policies, chaired by Prof. Matteo Fumagalli, CEU, Budapest, Hungary.

It was a joint panel on EU foreign and security policy, illustrating the role of EU as a key international player, ranging from disaster risk reduction in global warming to resolution of local conflicts. The conference participants discussed the basis for the EU’s common foreign and security policy such as soft power – the use of diplomacy – backed where necessary by trade, aid and peacekeeping missions to several of the world’s trouble spots, e.g. Arab spring. Dr. David Galbreath discussed Human Security and the European security architecture and formation of new security regimes in Europe and beyond. Prof. Alpaslan Ozerdem raised the question on conceptual foundations and policy implications for human security, on conflicts and policies violating international law or human rights, or democratic principles, and the special sanctions of a diplomatic or economic nature which EU has designed.

Panel: Human Security as Political Leitmotif of European Security, co-chaired by Dr. David Galbreath and Prof. Alpaslan Ozerdem.

Thematic papers on social inclusion, equality, poverty reduction, democracy and human rights, environmental security and the management of conflicts and post-conflict situations beyond Europe’s borders. These papers, along with a background paper on human security doctrine for Europe, provided the substantive backdrop to the conference. The conference also benefited from participation of policy-makers, deputies of parliament of Ukraine, who shared their knowledge in relation to human security challenges and opportunities in the Wider Europe.

Panel: Case Studies of Human Security and Security Strategy Policy-Making

This panel has been built as a result of collaborative research projects among members of international Jean Monnet teams, representing different educational traditions and involvement of academics, policy and civil society communities. The empirical component of the joint research projects focused on the process of formulating security strategies and their implementation, the interaction between respective processes at national and EU levels, and explanation of variations in institutional change in the national security sectors of the countries of participating scholars.

Individual case studies (examination of EU and national security strategies/doctrines/policies in EU member states and non-EU countries): the case study of Spain (Dr. Javier Garcia Marin), case-study of Macedonia (Dr. Miso Dokmanovic), case-study of Belgium (Dr. Sven Biscop), case-study of Ukraine (Prof. Tetyana Malyarenko), case-study of Armenia (Dr. Arthur Atanesyan).

Panel: Human Security and Human Rights, co-chaired by Mrs. Ane Tusvik Bonde, Human Rights House, Norway and Dr. Arthur Atanesyan, Erevan State University, Armenia

The panel sought to stimulate and sustain discussion on the most promoting practices and lessons learned in forging multi-stakeholder cooperation at national, regional and global levels to address in a sustainable way the human security implications related to human rights. This panel explored the critical connections and cleavages between human rights, human development and human security during the presentations and discussions on topics: War on terror – challenges for protection of human rights defenders in Europe, Public assessment of state policy toward human rights in the security sector of Ukraine, Polish involvement into CIA rendition program and others. The members of the panel made a set of policy recommendations for improving EU security strategy and security policy in the context of new challenges for protection of human rights in Europe and beyond.

Panel: The European Neighborhood Policy and Conflict Resolution, seminar discussion chaired by Prof. Stefan Wolff and Dr. Ralitsa Zhekova. This seminar gave a general introduction to the European Neighborhood Policy as a new approach in the EU’s relations with its neighbors, which brings added value by bringing together main policy instruments in a more focused way. Prof. Wolff discussed ways in which the European Neighborhood Policy composes the mutual interest of the EU and its neighbors in sharing a zone of stability, security and well-being. He mentioned that the ENP is a joint agenda to promote good governance in order to better manage our shared neighborhood. It is designed on the basis of common values and interests, including the need for a joint response to common challenges. In this way, the ENP also contributes to regional and global stability and security. Prof. Zhekova analyzed transformation of security policy in the 21^st century. She reviews the determining strategies of the Cold War Era, emphasizing the importance of new grand strategies in the field of security policy while at the same time pointing out how policies are not based on strategy.

Panel: European Union and Ukraine: The Problems of Energy and Security, chaired by Dr. Stefan Meister. The panel outlined the energy security challenges that for the past two decades have confronted the countries of European Union. During their presentations speakers emphasized geopolitical and geoeconomic aspects of European energy security (Prof. Vyacheslav Dementyev Ukraine between the Custom Union with Russia and the EU Trade Zone: The Problem of Energy and Security), the role of Russia and Russia-Ukraine relations in European energy security (Dr. Ekaterina Romanova External Dimension of EU Energy Security Strategy). Plamen Petrov and Prof. Vyacheslav Dementyev presented and discussed detailed analysis and data on current trends in securitizing EU energy supplies, and pointed out future geopolitical and geoeconomical risks.

Panel: Human Security and Sustainable Development: The Eastern Partnership Platform, chaired by Dmytro Groysman, presented and discussed the update on the Eastern Partnership Platform on Energy Security, Environment and Sustainable Development, priorities and highlights of the EU Energy Strategy and the prospective on providing the security of energy supply. Prof. Chad Briggs presented current priorities of flagship initiative on environmental governance and human security in Europe. The participants discussed the Eastern Partnership potential in achieving its stated goals of promoting democratic values and good governance; strengthening energy security and fostering stability and economic development.

Panel: EU Human Security Policy and Human Rights-based Approach to Development in Weak, Crisis and Post-Conflict States, chaired by Prof. Stefan Wolff and Prof. Tetyana Malyarenko, presented papers in four inter-related thematic areas: (1) case studies of how EU human security frameworks affect conditions for effective governance and economic development in crisis and post-conflict states; (2) the mechanisms for mainstreaming good governance practices and human rights standards into local governance programs; (3) effective policies to realize the potential of good governance for people-oriented economic development; (4) best practices of research-led teaching of human security in higher education institutions.

Roundtable discussions

Roundtable discussions among and with experts were focused on sharing of ideas and experiences on some important aspects of European security. The presenters and discussants introduced the discussion with a short presentation of their view on the topic. This is followed by audience comments and questions. Panelists will have an opportunity at the end to offer concluding thoughts.

Topics:

Challenges and Opportunities for Defining and Measuring Human Security;

Human Security and EU Policy Toward Situation of Fragility and Conflict;

Study Tour

The guided study tour and visit to Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and Council for National Security and Defence of Ukraine were led by senior officials and accompanied by security studies experts. The tour explained the history of security sector of Ukraine and gave an overview about the security sector performance and current reforms. Within the tour we were visiting different important meeting and committees. The visit to Standing Committee on National Security of Ukraine was accompanied with seminar and discussion of human security and security strategy of Ukraine.

Links of Jean Monnet Conference with Other Jean Monnet projects and related activities

During realization of Jean Monnet project we have established stable links and collaboration with holders of other projects, supported by the Jean Monnet Program, in particular, with Arthur Ghazinyan, Erevan State University, Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP), Greece, Warsaw University, Poland, Donetsk State University of Management, Ukraine, University Association for Contemporary European Studies, UK.

The representatives of these organizations participated in Jean Monnet International conference as junior faculty and key speakers and contributed to our research, information activities and curriculum development.

There is strong link between human security/security in Europe and European neighborhood. In order to facilitate research and discussion on this subject we have discussed/agreed a framework agreement between the International Association for Institutional Studies and University Association for Contemporary European Studies (contact persons: Prof. Richard Whitman, Dr. David Galbreath) to establish research group on human rights and human security in Europe with possible aim to apply for TEMPUS grant.

Links of Jean Monnet Conference with civil society, local authorities and other institutions

Jean Monnet project Human Security and Security Strategy: Institutions and Policies in a European Perspective has been built on existing strengths of International Association for Institutional Studies and experience to manage EU-funded projects. During realization of Jean Monnet on Human Security and Security Strategy we established stable links and collaboration with civil society, local authorities, mass-media, international organizations and academic associations, active in the field of European integration. The first, we have accepted representatives of NGO, mass-media, international organizations, parliaments and local councils as conference participants (e.g. from Human Rights House, Norway, Kyrgyz Youth Human Rights Union, Helsinki Human Rights Union, Poland, Bulgarian Geopolitical Society, Ukrainian EuroAtlantic Council, Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Donetsk Regional Deputy Council, European Centre for Minority Issues, The University Association for Contemporary European Studies, etc). Among 52 conference participants one may find two deputies of parliament of Ukraine (Mrs. Olena Bondarenko and Mrs. Elina Shishkina) and three deputies of local councils in Ukraine (Prof. Vyacheslav Dementyev, Prof. Tetyana Malyarenko and Mr. Dmytro Groysman).

Second, within framework of Jean Monnet conference in Kiev and separately we organized several roundtable discussions and meetings with participation of NGOs, mass-media and public policy groups. Among them:

The Promotion of Human Security in EU Security Policy (this roundtable discussion was organized at the premises of Donetsk National Technical University with participation of representatives of Organisation for Assistance of Human Security in Ukraine (think tank), Ukrainian European Studies Association, the Ministry of Education of Ukraine, Donetsk media-club, newspapers Donetsk news, Salon of Donbass, The Evening Donetsk and others.

Meeting and workshop Human Security: A New Perspective for the Eastern Borderland (this seminar was led by Dr. David Galbreath, Prof. Tetyana Malyarenko and Prof. Matteo Fumagalli and organized at Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the Standing Commission on European Integration) with participation of deputies of parliament, public servants, representatives of NGOs and mass-media, April 2011.

Prof. Stefan Wolff delivered a public lecture entitled The European Neighborhood Policy and Conflict Resolution for public servants of the local municipalities of the Donetsk region (May 2011).

The strategy of the project was built on active exploitation of the project web-pages, placed at the Association web-site and personal web-pages of the board of association.

The web-site of the project was used for online forum and dissemination of the project products. Through the web-site we gave all interest groups, such as the project participants, media, general public free access to the project materials, presentations, participants’ personal portfolios, and created wider network of contacts in the field of European security.

Main products placed at the project web-site:

Video- and audio-presentations;

Podcasts;

Interviews with participants (academics, policy-makers, public policy experts);

News and announces on European integration/security related issues.

The Jean Monnet International conference received very positive media coverage and reporting in several electronic and printed mass media. The interview with Prof. Tetyana Malyarenko was published at New Europe electronic newspaper.

The article by Prof. Anton Oleinik and Dr. Tetyana Malyarenko was published at Ukrainskaya Pravda. The article by Dr. David Galbreath was published at European Security. The article by Dmytro Groysman was published at Ukrainskaya Pravda.

The information about Jean Monnet conference on human security and European security policy-making was showed at several TV-channels, such as Tele-Radio-Company Ukraine, The First Municipal Channel of Ukraine, K-61 and The Public Television of Ukraine.