The Globalization of Human Security

by Humeyra Kocak IMIRZALIOGLU
Image/Hands credit: id-l.nl

With an increasing population currently 6.6 billion the world is more crowded than ever and human security has entered a new era of global security. Terrorism, diseases, human trafficking, drugs, violence, children at war, small arms, domestic violence are devastating people at risk. Governments failure to constituents usually include the poor, in unstable countries where people have no idea of human rights. Few days pass by without violent crime news flooding the media. Millions are crying for help everyday.


We are witnessing innocent civilians being attacked and killed brutally by the government forces of some countries. Women and girls are brutally raped, beaten and slaughtered in Sudan, Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Somali and many other countries. Conflicts in the Middle East and Africa have a devastating impact on the safety and security of civilians. Many of the world’s countries civilians face massive human rights abuses which often result in death. Many people have been killed by their own governments.

• 6 million children under five die each year from hunger. 130 million people living in income poverty in the OECD countries.

• Over 1 billion people live less than a dollar a day,

• 790 million people not adequately nourished

• In the last decade more than 2 million children died as a result of conflict.

• More than 300,000 child soldiers are exploited in armed conflicts in over 30 countries in the world.

• 2 million children are believed to be exploited through the commercial sex trade.

• 171 Million children work in hazardous conditions.

• Approximately 250 million children work.

• Of course threat is not only from governments. Global epidemics of deadly spreading diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria kill millions of people every year.

• According to census, over 22 million people have died from AIDS.

• Over 42 million people are living with HIV/AIDS.

• Over 19 million women, by the year 2010, five countries Ethiopia, Nigeria, China, India and Russia with 40 percent the world's population will add 50 and 75 million infected people to the worldwide pool.

• Malaria kills 1 million people each year, mostly children under the age of five.

If these diseases remained untreated they will also destroy the economies of developed countries resulting in dire consequences for all of us.


The impact of technology has created many opportunities and better life for the world. However it has also created more challenges aggression and generated new threats with a rising concern for human security. With the Internet people are more aware of conflicts in globalizing world. Nuclear weapons will be the new era's power shown by countries who control them.

Human security also includes protecting people from critical situations. Situations such as minimum standards of living.

Houses built illegally in countries collapsed during earthquakes killing many people. In our daily lives there are so many incidents that create insecurity. Digging big holes on the road without warning sign people can kill them. Lack of a drainage system causes floods after heavy rain. Unsafe drinking water causes diarrhea and dysentery.

The list goes on...

Globalization gives us a chance to act together with people all over the world. Non-Governmental Organizations and other civil activists need to work closely with governments to find effective solutions to avert drastic consequences.

It's imperative that we increase the awareness and help to resolve these problems. If human rights realized more on a global basis, human security will be achieved when governments collaborate and civil societies to save people. People lives should not be threatened by others. Our world should be a world where people can live in security and free from fear of others, poverty and despair. Hopefully the Millennium Development Goals will be accomplished by 2015.

Census sources: Human Development Report 2000

Written for the Light Millennium's Fall-2006, Dedication theme, by Humeyra Imirzalioglu Kocak, November 6, 2006, New York.