May 2007-2008

On 18 May 2007, Greece assumed the 10th Chairmanship of the Human Security Network, taking over from Slovenia. Our country took over the Chairmanship at the 9^th Ministerial Meeting in Ljubljana, represented by Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Evripidis Stylianidis. 

Greece has been a member of the Human Security Network since its foundation in 1999. Other founding members include Canada, Norway, and states from Europe (Switzerland, Ireland, Austria, Slovenia, the Netherlands - left in 2007), the Middle East (Jordan), Africa (Mali, and South Africa under observer status), Latin America (Chile, Costa Rica), and Asia (Thailand).

The Human Security Network

The Human Security Network (HSN) is an informal world consultation forum for governments, international organisations, the academic community and civil society representatives. By adopting a human-centered approach to the notion of security, the HSN supports the United Nations’ principles and aims at raising the awareness of the international community in the direction of effective support and protection of vulnerable population groups against modern threats to human security, which undermine development prospects in many parts of the world.

The HSN’s founders recognised that in this day and age, millions of people around the world are exposed to threats which go beyond state borders, without sufficient action being taken on the part of the international community. Given that these threats are, in the end, having a destabilising impact at a regional and international level, even at times of peace, a more human-centered approach to security was adopted and promoted by means of this Network.

The goal is for this new perception to be consolidated through the HSN in every country and to find an institutional response on the part of international organisations, states, and civil society agencies. The HSN’s priority topics are, among others, banning anti-personnel mines, controlling small and light firearms, educating in human rights and international humanitarian law, as well as protecting women and children in armed conflicts.

Within the framework of its Chairmanship, Greece’s priority is to point up the relationship between climate change and human security at an international level. The Greek Chairmanship’s action plan includes the organisation of a series of meetings and events with the participation of representatives from the political world, the academic community and civil society. The aim is to raise the international community’s awareness of the impact of climate change and global warming on human security, with regard to vulnerable groups, particularly women, children and persons fleeing their homes due to climate change.

The Greek HSN Chairmanship’s priorities

The scientific dimension: Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of this era, with negative consequences for the entire range of human activities. Even if greenhouse gas emissions were halted today, existing global warming would continue to influence our climate in the coming decades. The international community’s collective efforts on cutting greenhouse gas emissions will start to limit the greenhouse effect much later.

The basic hypothesis: Climate change has a serious impact on the human security of developed and developing countries alike. It is expected, however, to have a greater impact on vulnerable population groups in developing countries already living on the verge of poverty, absolute destitution, malnutrition and hunger.

The Greek Chairmanship’s priority is to point up the impact of climate change on human security, focusing in particular on vulnerable population groups, such as women, children and persons fleeing their homes in developing regions that are particularly affected by climate change.

Why should we promote the human security approach to climate change;

Most analysts are concentrating on looking for ways to mitigate climate change. But given that some level of climate change is scientifically unavoidable, it is important to carry out more research into the ways in which climate change is expected to threaten human security.

There is a complex and multilevel interaction between climate change and security: at an international, national and local level. A precondition for the protection of human security is to scientifically understand and politically assess the ways and means at the disposal of affected populations to adapt to climate change. Another crucial issue is to look into the potential for adjusting to climate change and the probability of violent conflicts breaking out should efforts to mitigate the impact of climate change fail. 

Why are women a priority issue?

Climate change will have serious consequences for the lives of poorer women, who already lack access to basic goods and rights. Women are the majority of the population in the developing world.

Food shortages: In many countries, women are malnourished. In cases of lack of resources or of natural disasters due to climate change, it is expected that women will be the ones to be hit hardest, with dangerous consequences for them, especially during pregnancy.

Natural Disasters:  Bearing the responsibility to protect their children as well as themselves, women are particularly vulnerable to natural disasters.

The aftermath of disasters or conflicts caused by climate change will go as follows: Women will be exposed to increased dangers, whether they gather in refugee camps, relocate to other areas, or even seek asylum abroad. Women and underage girls are particularly vulnerable to exploitation, human trafficking, as well as other forms of maltreatment. 

Why are children a priority issue?

The natural course of children’s health can be decisively undermined for the rest of their lives, as they are more vulnerable than adults to malnutrition, diseases, and hardships. In the coming decades, millions of children will be exposed to the dangers of floods, droughts, and diseases related to climate change (malaria, dengue fever, etc.). In developing countries, where early warning systems and means of addressing threats are minimal and insufficient, children are expected to be hit by natural disasters connected with extreme weather phenomena, but also “slow-burning” disasters, such as desertification.

Why are persons fleeing their homes a priority issue?

The impact of climate change will be worst for those parts of the population living in remote and socially marginalised areas highly dependent upon the natural environment. Climate change is expected to have a negative impact on the creation of opportunities for citizens, protection of important freedoms, and the adaptability to climate change of the states themselves. Immigration is expected to be one reaction on the part of those seeking a way out. Even though climate change is not the only factor precipitating immigration, it is estimated that large-scale population flows will increase the risk of tensions and conflicts in host countries.

Why are developing and least developed countries a priority issue?

Their proximity to the tropics, their dependence on agriculture and their limited ability to address natural disasters renders Developing and Least Developed Countries more vulnerable to the impact of climate change. Climate change is emerging as a new challenge and as a factor intensifying existing problems, such as ongoing conflicts, poverty, unequal access to resources, insufficient institutional frameworks, food insecurity and the spread of diseases.  

Least developed countries will suffer the worst consequences, despite the fact that they have contributed the least to the greenhouse effect.

Greece’s development policy on climate change

The forest fires that raged in southern Europe, Greece and the U.S. (California) in 2007 have shown that the rapid evolution of climate change has brought us to the point where it is affecting all regions and countries around the world.

One can easily imagine what will happen in the coming decades, particularly when vulnerable countries are hit by such phenomena or other disasters due to climate change.

Adjusting the European Union’s development policy to climate change

Climate change is an undeniable reality. Despite efforts being made today to mitigate this phenomenon, we will not be able to avert the bulk of its impact in the coming decades.

This is the reason why Greece includes addressing climate change within the framework of international development cooperation, particularly with regard to least developed countries. Greece feels that a clear reference to environmental insecurity must be added to the definition of a “fragile state”.

For all the above reasons, there will have to be a serious restructuring of European development assistance for addressing the impact of climate change on fragile regions. The changes made will have to be based on a comprehensive approach to the issue of development, safety, and human security.

A European Mechanism for addressing natural disasters

Recent forest fires in southern Europe have shown the need for a closer, institutionalised, and strengthened European policy on addressing natural disasters.

Lately, severe forest fires and floods have rendered it clear that climate change can put to an unprecedented test the resilience of infrastructure at the disposal of any country’s co-competent authorities. Greece is at the forefront of countries supporting the creation, in the near future, of a European mechanism capable of addressing such challenges.

The Greek Chairmanship’s Goals

Raising Awareness and Policy-making actions

Main Events 

Overview of other activities

HSN Meetings / Greek Presidency Policy Papers

Relevant articles and publications

Forthcoming events

Athens, May 29^th – 30^th 2008

International Conference and Annual Ministerial Meeting on Human Security and Climate Change. Presentation of the commissioned Policy Papers.