Article By: Denise Ray
The Institute for Leadership and Strategic Studies (ILSS) at the University of North Georgia (UNG) will hold its seventh annual symposium April 5-6. UNG will host the event in partnership with the Army War College Strategic Studies Institute, the Army Strategist Association, the Association of the U.S. Army, and the Atlanta Council on International Relations.
Set for the Convocation Center on UNG's Dahlonega Campus, the symposium is titled "Human Security Challenges" and will explore the role of state, non-state, and international actors in solving or mitigating human security challenges.
"Human security, as a governing principle, emphasizes freedom from want and freedom from fear as opposed to traditional national security, which emphasizes sovereignty and territorial integrity," Dr. Edward Mienie, executive director of UNG's Bachelor of Arts in strategic and security studies program and partnerships, said.
Threats to human security can manifest themselves on the personal, community, health, economic, political, food, and environmental levels, or any combination thereof, which in turn may contribute to state fragility negatively impacting a nation's national security interests.
Dr. Edward Mienie
executive director of UNG's Bachelor of Arts in strategic and security studies program and partnerships
"Threats to human security can manifest themselves on the personal, community, health, economic, political, food, and environmental levels, or any combination thereof, which in turn may contribute to state fragility negatively impacting a nation's national security interests.”
Dr. Keith Antonia, a retired Army lieutenant colonel and ILSS executive director, is both chair of the symposium steering committee and its organizer.
"We’re bringing together experts, academics, and practitioners in fields related to human security to discuss current issues, future challenges, potential policies, resources, and actions that may mitigate those challenges," Antonia said. "We will have domestic and international participation from a number of foreign countries, universities, businesses, think tanks, and government agencies."
Speakers include Dr. Volker Franke, professor of conflict management at the School of Conflict Management, Peacebuilding and Development Affairs at Kennesaw State University, and Dr. Tony Pfaff, research professor for strategy, the military profession and ethics at the Strategic Studies Institute of the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Pfaff is also a senior non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Council. The third speaker will be Sarah Dawn Petrin, a nonresident senior fellow at the Transatlantic Security Initiative in the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security.
Although not necessary for attending, participants are invited to submit abstracts for panel presentations on topics related to the theme. The symposium planning group will select panelists from the highest quality submissions that are deemed most relevant.
The symposium is designed to be in person, but Zoom participation is available. Individuals must register to receive the link.
