Democracy, Conflict and Human Security

“Our main task in today’s global community is to accept and live up to the triple challenge of development, security and human rights. These three challenges are together the highest on the United Nation agenda. They affect and reinforce each other.

One of the most serious threats to our common security emerges from human desperation in societies which lack in respect to human rights and democracy. Acting for democracy is acting for peace and security…

The only way democracy will prove itself is through a living relationship between peoples and their governments based on trust, accountability and the determination to deliver practical results.”

Jan Eliasson
President of the United Nations 60^th
General Assembly
(From the Foreword of the IDEA Democracy, Conflict and Human Security Handbook)

Democracy is in crisis just when there needs to be a broad international commitment to democratic practice as the means of achieving human security.

Democracy matters for human security: well-designed and inclusive political institutions and processes are important for both preventing violence and managing conflict constructively. Human rights and public participation are essential for meeting human development objectives.

IDEA wishes to contribute towards human security by providing material and resources that outline the practical implications of applying particular options to different situations.

Highlights

• Democracy, Conflict and Human Security: Project gives an overview of IDEA’s work in the field of democracy, conflict and human security. IDEA’s perspective is based on its work and comparative international experience.
  
  
• Democracy, Conflict and Human Security: IDEA Publication is a two volume study available online. Volume I offers a conceptual framework based on experience and lessons learned. Volume II contains a number of case studies (will be available in December 2006). A policy summary presents the principal findings from the IDEA Democracy, Conflict and Human Security project.
  
  
• Democracy, Conflict and Human Security: Activities describes the range of IDEA’s existing field activities and provides a glimpse of future plans.
  
  
• Further reading and information provides easy access to IDEA’s extensive collection of case studies, reports, and articles. It also collates relevant material, databases and networks from external sources.