The lecture highlighted the role of the private sector in
human security. The idea of human security is a response to
the limitations of the traditional understanding of security,
which focuses on territorial integrity and borders. The
speaker asserted that human security should not be seen as
a replacement for the traditional understanding of security;
rather, it should be seen as a complementary concept
that deals with issues and concerns—which may not be
addressed directly by the concept of security in its traditional
sense. For example, the focus has shifted from traditional
disarmament issues to the reduction of small arms and antipersonnel
mines issues, which are closely related to daily life
and human security. The speaker said that demands are now
being made and pressures exerted on foreign investors and
international companies to promote human security issues
and the concept of corporate responsibility. The private
sector and security are linked in many ways, most obviously
because thriving markets and human security go hand in
hand. Global companies should merely support market
advantages. Their active support for sound management
policies could help create conducive environments where
both markets and human security thrive. The speaker
emphasized that the duty of protection requires the states
to play a major role in organizing business projects and to
address any violation attributed to these projects; otherwise
they will be in violation of their international obligations. He
said the question that persists to remain is: do companies
have direct responsibility and commitments toward human
security and rights or not? This question is a subject of
continuous debate and discussion. Various initiatives have
been launched to encourage companies to comply with
human security and other social rights-based standards.