The international symposium to be held next week would focus on threat from small arm, environment security and health security. Some 150 people including non-government organisation workers, academics, officials and media from domestic and abroad are expected to attend the symposium.

The kingdom, as the current chair (please check ) of the Human Security Network (HSN) will organise the symposium on "building and synergising partnership of global human security and development" on May 30-31 which will be followed by the eighth ministerial meeting of the group on June 1-2 at a Bangkok hotel.

The HSN is an informal inter-regional grouping of 13 like-minded countries. Canada and Norway created the network in 1999, and since it has been viewed as a driving force in promoting international awareness of human security. The group had defined human security as "freedom of people from fear and want." They have also identified areas that need focus such as human rights, protection of civilians, small arms and landmine issues, woman and peace, HIV/AIDS and poverty eradication. Thailand has done substantial work in the field of HIV/AIDS, people-centered development and flesh trade, said Peerasak Chantavarin, the ministry's Deputy Director General of Department of International Organisations.

While there are plenty of definitions regarding human security still being debated within the group, the above-mentioned are of common interest, he told reporters in a briefing. The ministerial meeting will discuss whether the group would be willing to expand memberships from its current 13 full-fledged members and one observer.

Austria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Ireland, Jordan, Mali, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, Slovenia and Thailand are full members and South Africa is an observer. The group is mulling over the porspect of adding one more Asian country to the group.

Supalak Ganjanakhundee

The Nation