Human security has become a crucial aspect of NATO’s operations, missions, and activities. For NATO, the term refers to the mitigation and response towards risks and threats posed to populations.
In 2022, the North Atlantic Council established “The Human Security Approach and Guiding Principles,” providing NATO with a framework to considering conflict and crisis from the perspective of civilians. Taking a human security approach means embedding considerations for civilian populations into all stages and levels of Alliance operations, missions, and activities. This approach aligns with NATO’s core values of individual liberty, human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.
The Guiding Principles encourage NATO planners to think beyond the adversary with the objective of preventing and responding to threats that civilian populations might be confronted with during conflict or crisis. NATO uses the term “Human Security” to link five policy areas: protection of civilians, preventing and responding to conflict related sexual violence, combating trafficking in human beings, children and armed conflict, and cultural property protection.
NATO Allied Command Transformation contributes to Alliance-wide transformation efforts, including through the integration of human security related policies into the work of ACT, such as Multi-Domain Operations in Urban Environments.
Ms. Rachel Grimes, the lead on Human Security at NATO Allied Command Transformation, said: “Allied Command Transformation’s Human Security team leads efforts to include the consideration of civilian experiences in conflict and crisis as a foundational strategic thought into Allied Command Transformation programs of work.”
A coordinated human security approach advances the Alliance’s solidarity, cohesion and common values. Properly demonstrating its commitments to the security of civilians will enable the Alliance to win the battle of narratives against adversaries who deliberately target civilians. By considering the conflict or crisis from the perspective of the civilian population, NATO will enhance its situational awareness.