The Organization for Social Science Research in Eastern and Southern Africa’s Contributions to Human Security Research in Africa

Some conceptualise human security by classifying it into two categories. The fi rst, more comprehensive one, covers all components that are generally taken as factors essential for the security and well-being of humans at both individual and societal level. These components include human, political, social and cultural rights, economic development, democracy, social justice and demographic factors, among others. The second (‘narrower’) defi nition primarily focuses on violent threats as core elements underlying human security.