Security and Development

Security & development
Security & development is an emerging paradigm whose proponents argue the two fields are intrinsically linked. Security & development holds that insecurity hinders development and equally so, that underdevelopment poses a threat to lasting security. In the wake of the Cold War, governments, NGOs and IGOs have recognized that insecurity and armed violence prevents and interferes with economic, social and political development.
The paper by Frances Stewart argues that Security and Development and development are deeply interconnected.
*Security forms an important part of people’s well-being, and is therefore an objective of development.
An objective of development is “the enlargement of human choices”. Insecurity cuts life short and thwarts the use of human potential, thereby affecting the reaching of this objective.
*Lack of security has adverse consequences on economic growth, and therefore development.
Some development costs are obvious. For example, in wars, people who join the army or flee can no longer work productively. Also, destroying infrastructure reduces the productive capacity of the economy.
*Imbalanced development that involves horizontal inequalities is an important source of conflict.
Therefore, vicious cycles of lack of development which leads to conflict, then to lack of development, can readily emerge. Likewise, virtuous cycles are possible, with high levels of security leading to development, which further promotes security in return.
Several specific obstacles have been identified as falling under the umbrella of "Security and Development." Some of the areas that have received considerable attention are:
* Explosive remnants of War (ERW)
Explosive remnants of war (ERW) is a term used in the humanitarian aid and sustainable development domains to describe the explosive threats remaining in post-conflict society. This includes landmines, cluster bombs, IEDs and other unexploded ordnance. ERWs deny the use of arable land and impinge on development. They exact a humanitarian toll, whose cost adds to the health budgets of countries where ERW remain.
* Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW)
The wide availability and lack of control of small arms and light weapons takes a humanitarian toll, increase insecurity, drain scarce resources, and make it difficult for economic, social and political development to proceed. [http://www.fas.org/asmp/campaigns/smallarm.html "All studies indicate that, in both the military and criminal sphere, the greatest percentage of violent deaths occur from the use of light weapons and small arms. -Oscar Arias Sánchez, A Scourge of Guns"]
* Security Sector Reform (SSR)
A concept to reform or rebuild a state's security sector that emerged first in the 1990s in Eastern Europe. It starts where a dysfunctional security sector is unable to provide security to the state and its people effectively and under democratic principles. Even worse, the security sector can be a source of widespread insecurity by itself. In this respect, an unreformed or misconstructed security sector represents a decisive obstacle to the promotion of sustainable development, democracy and peace.
* Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR)
Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) is an applied strategy for executing successful peacekeeping operations, and is generally the strategy employed by all UN Peacekeeping Operations. Disarmament entails the physical removal of the means of combat from ex-belligerents (weapons, ammunition, etc.); demobilization entails the disbanding of armed groups; while reintegration describes the process of reintegrating former combatants into civil society, ensuring against the possibility of a resurgence of armed conflict.
* Gender & Security
Human security focuses on the serious neglect of gender concerns under the traditional security model. Traditional security’s focus on external military threats to the state has meant that the majority of threats women face have been overlooked. By focusing on the individual, the human security model aims to address the security concerns of both women and men equally. Women are often the worst victims of violence and conflict: they form the majority of civilian deaths; the majority of refugees; and, are often the victims of cruel and degrading practices, such as rape. Women's security is also threatened by unequal access to resources, services and opportunities. Human security seeks to empower women, through education, participation and access, as gender equality is seen as a necessary precondition for peace, security and a prosperous society.
* Child Soldiers
In countries where children are forced to fight in national or rebel armies, they are no longer able to contribute to the economical well being of their community. Often times, these children have little choice but to kill or be killed. Such an ultimatum can irrevocably affect a child, whose successful reintroduction to society is a complicated, arduous process.
* Rule of Law
Absence of the rule of law in a country creates serious security problems and impacts heavily on sustainable development. The transformation of justice systems and the implementation of the rule of law is now a priority in reconstruction and peace-building efforts.

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