Human Security and Sustainable Development

Throughout the last decades, human security and sustainable development have been fundamental concepts both in the academic discourse and on the international policy agenda related to the peace-development nexus. Centred on people rather than nations, human security focuses on identifying and reducing risks for the survival, well-being and dignity of human beings. Sustainable development comprises environmental, social, and economic sustainability. Though mutually reinforcing on a conceptual level, recent threats associated with climate change, violent conflict, the Covid-19 pandemic, horizontal inequalities and digital technology have caused a development-human security disconnect. This module defines the paradigms of human security and sustainable development, and closely examines the relationship between them. The value of either concept will be examined in relation to threats and risks identified at different scale and scope. Students will apply the concepts to numerous case studies in international development cooperation and human security interventions.