This event is hybrid. It will take place at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy and online.
- A light lunch will be served from 12:00 onwards and the debate will start at 12:30.
- The event will be livestreamed, recorded and photographed and may be shared publicly on the GCSP channels.
Recent geostrategic developments have focused global and national attention on traditional security priorities such as military capabilities, defense strategies, and territorial integrity – a trend reflected in unprecedented increases in defense budgets. Yet, the growing complexity of contemporary threats, from rapid technological change to climate crises and the surge in conflicts worldwide, makes clear that military strength alone cannot sustain lasting stability. While national defense remains indispensable, preventing crises and addressing the root causes of instability demands a broader, people-centred approach.
Human security is not an alternative to hard power but a strategic complement. It equips States to anticipate and manage risks before they escalate, reduce vulnerabilities that can fuel conflict, strengthen social cohesion, and foster societies capable of resilience and renewal. In a world characterized by uncertainty, integrating human security into national and global strategies is a practical necessity for shaping a future of enduring stability, prosperity and opportunity.
This dialogue aims to elevate human security within contemporary security debates by exploring its strategic value as a complement to traditional defense measures, and its important role in prioritizing investments in prevention and resilience as the foundation of long-term stability. It will explore practical ways governments and multilateral actors can take a more balanced approach that safeguards states while enabling societies to thrive, and integrate human security into national regional and global strategies.
How can human security, as a complement to hard security, provide a practical foundation for resilience and sustainable peace in an era of systemic risks and complex crises?
Opening remarks
- Ambassador Thomas Greminger, Executive Director, GCSP
Panel discussion
- Ambassador Maria Fernanda Espinosa, former President of the United Nations General Assembly
- Mr Markus Deblom, Director, Department for Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding, Folke Bernadotte Academy
- Ms Heba Aly, Director, UN Charter Reform Coalition, Associate Fellow, GCSP
- Mr Piotr Wolynski, Human Security Staff Officer, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, NATO
Closing remarks
- Ambassador Knut Vollebaek, Chair, Advisory Board on Human Security
Event moderator
- Ms Anna Brach, Head of Human Security and Planetary Resilience, GCSP
