What is Security?

Project Overview

Security is an essential yet complex and multifaceted concept that shapes individual lives, community interactions, and global stability. While often associated primarily with military or state-centric definitions, true security encompasses economic stability, societal cohesion, environmental resilience, and personal safety. This project aims to critically examine how diverse interpretations and implementations of security influence peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and human welfare.

Why It Matters

A nuanced understanding of security is crucial for creating stable, peaceful, and thriving societies. Misinterpretations or narrow perspectives of security often lead to inadequate policies and interventions that may inadvertently perpetuate conflict or inequality. By broadening our conceptualization of security, we can better address the root causes of instability, enhance preventive diplomacy, and foster environments conducive to sustainable peace and prosperity.

Key Questions

  • How do varying definitions of security impact policy-making and international cooperation?

  • In what ways can security be redefined to better address contemporary threats such as climate change, cyber threats, and social injustice?

  • What are the implications of prioritizing different dimensions of security (e.g., military, economic, human) for societies experiencing conflict?

  • How can diverse stakeholders (states, communities, NGOs) collaborate effectively to create comprehensive security strategies?

Get Involved

We invite researchers, policymakers, security experts, and community leaders to participate in this essential inquiry. By engaging with the question "What is Security?", you can contribute to redefining and enriching our collective understanding of this foundational and critical concept.

Together, let's collaborate to build a future where security is inclusive, adaptive, and reflective of contemporary global realities.

Research Approach

Our approach is grounded in rigorous interdisciplinary inquiry and actionable analysis. We focus on:

  • Comparative Security Frameworks:

    • Examining how security is defined and pursued across different cultures, political systems, and policy frameworks to identify best practices and gaps.

  • Integrated Security Perspectives:

    • Developing a holistic approach that integrates military, economic, human, and environmental security to address contemporary challenges comprehensively.

  • Stakeholder Engagement and Collaborative Models:

    • Investigating effective collaboration models among states, international organizations, civil society, and local communities to enhance collective security outcomes.

Potential Impact

By expanding and refining the concept of security, we aim to:

  • Inform Comprehensive Policy Development:

    • Provide policymakers with frameworks and insights that support balanced, inclusive, and proactive security strategies.

  • Strengthen Conflict Prevention and Resolution:

    • Equip peacebuilders and conflict-resolution practitioners with more nuanced tools to identify underlying insecurities driving conflicts.

  • Empower Community Resilience:

    • Support local communities in developing tailored security strategies that address their unique vulnerabilities and strengths, fostering resilience and long-term stability.

Research Outputs

(Research under production)

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  • What are Rights?

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  • What is Well-Being?

    Is well-being defined solely by material conditions or does it encompass deeper dimensions of flourishing? By challenging conventional metrics, we seek to uncover transformative insights that can redefine our understanding of development and inform sustainable policy.

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Insights from our studies directly inform our advocacy initiatives and educational programs, ensuring theory translates into practice.

Contact us.

For more of our research or collaboration inquiries, feel free to contact our research team.