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Human security is a difficult concept to define, encompassing
many aspects of an individual's survival and well-being. The
factors involved can range from direct threats - terrorism,
armed conflict, crime, human rights violations, poverty and
hunger - to more subtle influences, such as labor standards,
education and discrimination. AmericasNet focuses especially
on the effects of integration and globalization on
individuals' lives, with the impact of heightened concerns
over terrorism in the wake of September 11, 2001 a central
theme. The commentary and analysis in this section report on
events and issues that have an impact on the efforts or
desires of groups of citizens to petition governments or
otherwise help themselves to achieve a better quality of life.
Recent regional and international forums have raised the
importance of human security considerations in their
deliberations. The Organization of American States (OAS) has
adopted the Santiago Summit's declaration on security
cooperation in the hemisphere and passed numerous related
resolutions. OAS initiatives have included an inter-American
convention against the manufacture of and illicit trafficking
in firearms, munitions and explosives; the Tlatelolco Treaty
banning nuclear arms in Latin America and the Caribbean;
confidence-building measures to promote hemispheric security;
and programs to remove land mines in Central America.
Human security was a major theme of the 2001 Quebec City
Summit of the Americas.
The Declaration of Quebec City places heavy emphasis on
combating threats to human security, including global drug
problems and related crimes, illicit traffic and criminal use
of firearms, organized crime and corruption. Also addressed at
this Summit were the threat of HIV/AIDS and the link between
human security and development.
The emphasis on human security continued at the 2004
Special Summit of the Americas, in Monterrey, Mexico in
January 2004. The Special Summit focused on three main
issues: economic growth and equality, social development and
democratic governance, and continued efforts to address the
problems of illegal narcotics, landmines, terrorism and
corruption in the hemisphere.
As globalization and liberalizing reforms restructure
economies and social welfare networks, vulnerable groups
across the hemisphere find survival to be increasingly
precarious. Attacks against democracy as well as outright
armed conflict, violent crime and terrorism also remain
threats to life and well-being, especially in Colombia and the
Andean region. One of the goals of AmericasNet is to track
regional human security threats, official proposals and
efforts to protect human security and assess their real impact
on people's lives.
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