Toespraak gastcollege 'Human Security in Afghanistan'

Thank you, mr. Faber, for giving me the opportunity to speak about the role of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), in improving the security of the Afghan people.

I have divided this lecture into three parts. Firstly, I will relate the concept of “human security” to the efforts of the Ministry of Defence. Secondly, I will dwell upon the history and strategy of ISAF. As you know, the Dutch contribution to ISAF is currently the most important mission of our armed forces. Thirdly, I will present to you a number of dilemma’s we are confronted with in executing security-assistance operations like the one in Afghanistan (Afterwards, I will be happy to respond to your questions).

Human Security The concept of “human security” was introduced in the Human Development Report of 1994. It aimed to broaden the scope of security by including factors such as illness and poverty. The main reason for this broadening was, of course, that the life and wellbeing of individuals is influenced strongly by socio-economic factors, which are usually situated in the domain of development. In this way, the 2 security of individuals was conceptually considered to be opposed to state security.

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