A real option: Grass roots human security<\/p>\n
By David Harries<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): If human security is the ability to live, to
\nmove and to work in satisfying, safe ways then the human security
\nof a majority of Indonesian citizens is falling.<\/p>\n
The reasons are all too obvious. The country is threatened by
\nbreakdown and break-up, and the international community is
\nincreasingly unwilling to support the situation.<\/p>\n
The government is in disarray. Almost everyone is fighting for
\nor against a President whose legitimacy and credibility have been
\nhammered by alleged scandal, national embarrassments, quirky
\nleadership and a retreat from reforms.<\/p>\n
The major institutions are at best unequal to the tasks
\ncurrent realities have set them, and at worst violently opposed
\nto anything that could reduce what they achieved under Soeharto.
\nSome regions are aflame with civil and religious strife. Fleeing
\nvictims infect others.<\/p>\n
The emerging devolution of financial and administrative powers
\nfrom Jakarta to more than 360 regencies is a perverse combination
\nof good intentions and bad timing. The struggling and unstable
\ncenter can ill-afford to give anything away.<\/p>\n
And the wildly differently endowed and capable districts are
\nunlikely to use what they receive in ways that foster unity for
\nthe nation, or efficiency for local human security.<\/p>\n
Indonesia's problems will take years to solve.<\/p>\n
But some 200 million-plus people need and want more human
\nsecurity now. Those at the top are consumed by the problems at
\nthe center and impressions abroad.<\/p>\n
Therefore, those at the bottom are going to have to make the
\nfirst moves.<\/p>\n
This is not bad news. Human security is primarily an
\nindividual's challenge. Although technology has made it
\neveryone's shared and common issue, it is best measured at the
\nlevel of the individual. Therefore, where better to protect and
\nbuild it than at the grass roots.<\/p>\n
In the literature on human security, much is made of the need
\nfor process -- such as good governance, and knowledge -- from
\nimproved education. But too little is made of the fact is that
\nall human security rests on physical foundations. The recent
\nmassive earthquake in India makes the point.<\/p>\n
Human security of millions in the world's most populous
\ndemocracy was severely disrupted, and for tens of thousands
\ndestroyed, by physical force.<\/p>\n
Asia has not only its share of armed conflicts, but is the
\nregion where a variety of natural disasters happen with the
\ngreatest frequency. Weekly, reports tell of another earthquake,
\ntyphoon, tidal wave, volcano, flood, landslide, structural
\ncollapse or pestilence. Not infrequently, crises combine, or
\nfollow one another in short order.<\/p>\n
What use the college degree, trade qualification, good
\ngovernance or a planning and budgeting system if, every time a
\nconflict, natural disaster, ecological hazard, or industrial
\naccident occurs, the home, market, school, court house, clinic or
\nfactory become inaccessible or unusable because of damage or
\ndestruction.<\/p>\n
Rich and poor, young and old, powerful and weak, military and
\ncivilian in both developed and undeveloped countries are
\nthreatened if the physical foundations of human security are
\nweak. Rich or powerful people not only have more to lose but
\nalso relatively less with which to defend against the loss.<\/p>\n
How do the largest number of men, women and children help
\nthemselves live, move and work better in the face of the
\ninevitable clashes with nature, bad people and fate? A key step
\nis convincing them to engage in a self-help life-style that is
\nfor their own benefit.<\/p>\n
Engaging in human security is an investment in one's quality
\nof life, with immediate returns. Appropriate human security at
\nthe grass roots must have its priorities and processes determined
\nthere.<\/p>\n
Needs can be as varied as a barrier to stop vehicle entry, a
\nstructure to protect stored water, a wall to stem the annual
\nflood of a river, or reinforcement of road or track to the clinic
\nor court.<\/p>\n
People confident they will be alive with dignity well beyond
\ntomorrow are easily motivated for community activities that
\nstrengthen human security.<\/p>\n
A community with strong and sustainable human security is
\nunlikely to be a threat to the security of neighboring ones, and
\nis an example of what can be achieved.<\/p>\n
Methods to protect and promote physical human security have
\nbeen practiced for centuries. Advances in technology mean that
\neach individual can now make a greater contribution faster.<\/p>\n
The costs? Minor. They can be a tiny fraction of what is spent
\neach year on armaments in countries that suffer the worst
\ndisasters.<\/p>\n
They will be far less than what was needed -- but so often not
\ncommitted -- for recovery after past crises. And for each man,
\nwoman or child who in the past tried to fill 50 sandbags, it is
\nless than US$50 for a tool that gives a stronger result in a
\nfraction of the time.<\/p>\n
Indonesia needs some good news that millions of citizens can
\nsee, feel part of and benefit from. It is not a pipe dream to
\nclaim that tens of millions of Indonesians could be prepared and
\nequipped to significantly improve their human security, and do so
\nin months, and for less than went adrift in the Bank Bali affair.<\/p>\n
The writer is an executive of Maccaferri Asia, the Asian
\ndivision of an Italian-based corporation that produces and guides
\nuse of goods used for stabilizing ground and slopes and to
\nprevent or mitigate the effects of flooding and other natural
\ndisasters.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/a-real-option-grass-roots-human-security-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}