Working for Human Security:JICA’s Experience

This paper reviews the experiences of the government of Japan to incorporate the human security concept as one of basic principles of its ODA policy, and JICA’s activities to operationalize the human security principle. It then examines the challenges and problems JICA has faced in its human-security-oriented field operations. More specifically, it analyzes four cases – Myanmar, the Philippines, Afghanistan, and Sudan – by focusing on the two major challenges: (1) possible contradictions between state security and human security, and (2) special difficulties in the pursuit of comprehensive empowerment to cope with downside risks. On the first point, JICA has tried to persuade the reluctant governments to accept human-security-oriented activities as measures that can eventually contribute to strengthening state security. To cope with down side risks, JICA has supported comprehensive empowerment of individuals, communities, and public organizations to enhance their preparedness against various risks, but there still remains a challenge because comprehensive empowerment is a formidable task that requires cooperative efforts by many actors. To do so, shaping a common understanding of the human security agenda will be necessary.