The Challenge of Security for Latin America

  
On September 20, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Organization of American States (OAS) held a seminar on "Security and Development" in Washington, D.C. More than 150 government officials, academics and analysts attended. In his opening remarks, IDB President Enrique V. Iglesias noted that security has become one of the leading concerns of citizens of the Americas and a major factor in progress and development. César Gaviria, the secretary general of the OAS, used his introductory speech to point out that there is a growing awareness in the region that security and development are everyone's problems. "These challenges should not be left in the hands of the military or security forces," he added, "but instead require active civilian participation."

The seminar addressed the economic, social, political and diplomatic aspects of security in Latin America, including the role of economic volatility and social safety nets in stability and development. Other topics included the importance of democratic institutions for hemispheric security and the lessons learned from the September 11 terrorist attacks.

The Colombian ambassador to the OAS, Humberto de la Calle, argued that the traditional understanding of security as confined to the state "is, if not on the way out, then in the process of significant transformation." He cited various reconceptions of the term, among them "democratic security" in Central America, "cooperative security" in the Andean Community, "human security" in the Caribbean and Canada, and "homeland security" in the United States. In the future, de la Calle noted, it will be important to make sure that none of these concepts are mutually exclusive. The advantage of the notion of human security, he added, is that "not only does it override the minimalist understanding of security as defense of the nation-state, but it also answers once and for all the question, 'Security for whom?' Security for human beings."

Other experts invited to the event made the point that security and development are not contradictory ideas. Security is multidimensional and goes beyond questions of public order, they argued. They called for increased regional cooperation to reduce the vulnerability of Latin American and Caribbean countries to security threats.

The participants also emphasized the need for greater coordination and support in all areas of security, not just military concerns. "The only national security policy is an international security policy" was an oft-repeated phrase.

The IDB and OAS organized the seminar in preparation for several upcoming ministerial-level meetings, one on defense to be held in Chile next November and the other on hemispheric security scheduled for May 2003 in Mexico.

The discussion ended with a review of some of the threats that have increased the focus on regional security: terrorism, transnational crime, dissatisfaction with the results of prevailing economic models, natural disasters, environmental damage and arms trafficking (including sales that start out as legitimate but are later funneled toward subversive groups).

According to Miguel Ruíz, Mexico's ambassador to the OAS and president of the organization's Commission on Hemispheric Security, these topics "will be addressed seriously through new attitudes and institutional responses to security concerns."

For more information, see www.iadb.org/sds/SCS/site_4518_e.htm