Latvia. Human Development Report 2002/2003. Human Security

LATVIA Human Development Report 2002/2003 Human Security Riga 2003 ISBN 9984-684-20-2 The analysis and policy recommendations in this Report do not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations Development Programme. There is no copyright attached to this publication, which may be reproduced in whole or in part without the prior permission of the United Nations Development Programme and its partners. However, the source should be acknowledged. The Latvia Human Development Report 2002/2003 in English and Latvian, as well as the background papers associated with it and the UNDP Latvia Survey on Human Security 2002 (in SPSS format) are available on the Internet: http://www.un.lv Background Papers (in Latvian) The Anatomy of Human Security in Latvia Anita Kalniña, Vladimirs Meñßikovs The Individual and His/Her Closest Relationships Sandra Sebre, Ieva Bite Social Networks as a Securitability Factor Linda Zîverte, Ivars Austers, Dzintra Zilinska Human Security in the Context of Globalization and Regionalization Ûaneta Ozoliña, Ivars Dukåts, Inna Íteinbuka Foreword The publishing of the Latvia Human Develop- Individual action is not always the most effective. ment Report 2002/2003 coincides with a new phase of This Report encourages people to be active in forming development in the history of the Latvian nation. networks of cooperation with a common goal of influ- encing events at the local, national, regional and glob- Over the centuries, Latvia has experienced numer- al level. ous and sudden reversals of fortune. Times of rapid change are never simple for the people of any nation. The majority of the people in Latvia are capable of However, it is precisely the ability to face these kinds actively shaping their lives, and are eager to influence of challenges directly that has become a hallmark of the development of the nation in a spirit of coopera- our people. “Every man forges his own destiny,” says tion – thus strengthening both their individual and an old Latvian proverb. our common sense of security. However, for various reasons, a number of our compatriots have fallen While Latvia’s full integration into the political below the poverty threshold. Their sense of security is and economic life of Europe and into the global com- very low and they are weakened by anxiety. It is pre- munity will open up many new opportunities, it is cisely these people who are the urgent responsibility of important to understand those who view this period our State. Their sense of security must be restored. in history with trepidation and caution. They must be led over the threshold. They must be shown that they have not been written off, and that This year’s Human Development Report is note- there is room for them on our common path to a worthy in its focus on the human need for a sense of decent life. security, and on the factors that need to be addressed in order to enhance people’s self-confidence. The Every newly published UNDP Latvia Human Report identifies and analyzes those spheres and Development Report initiates public discussions events that create the most insecurity in the popula- about issues that are critical to our nation. The previ- tion, and alerts the government and authorities to the ous year’s edition triggered debate that led to a deleterious effects of not addressing these issues. It reformed system of public policy planning, rapidly emphasizes the urgent necessity of mutual coopera- bringing it into the 21st century. I am convinced that tion in seeking solutions, and it asks for transparency this Report will once again serve as the basis for seri- and the free flow of information from governing insti- ous public debate about human security and the sense tutions – recognizing this as a critical factor in reduc- of security in Latvia, and that it will serve to enhance ing insecurity among Latvia’s population. people’s self-confidence. The Report also addresses every individual in Latvia. Everyone will be able to recognize, among the myriad causes of insecurity, those that they are expe- riencing. They will realize that they have been under- stood and have been offered solutions for a way out. The authors of the Report identify five factors – which, if enhanced by the State, by communities, by Vaira Vî˚e-Freiberga, NGOs, and by each individual – would increase the President of the Republic of Latvia population’s sense of security and its ability to act pos- itively in the face of threats to its security. HUMAN SECURITY 3 Foreword A team of Latvian academics, in intense, year-long the sets of traits in individuals and the capabilities of consultations, has prepared the Latvia Human Devel- communities and governments to enhance human opment Report 2002/2003. The team has consulted security. The notion of security constellations refers to with government advisors and policy makers; with the coordinated strategies of actors in human security. experts in international academe, regional institutions and the United Nations system. I should like to sin- Methodologically, too, the Report is novel. Taking cerely thank and congratulate everyone who was an empirical survey as its point of departure, it draws involved in producing this fine report – the editor-in- on the seemingly disparate disciplines of psychology, chief and her colleagues, the authors, our peer review- sociology, political science and economics. Thus, it ers and commentators, my colleagues in the UN sys- synthesizes findings from the literature on sexual tem, and our support team – for their manifold abuse with the reflections of political analysts and contributions. economists. It illustrates how human insecurity can be amplified if several negative factors converge – for The Latvia Human Development Report instance when an individual suffers from the com- 2002/2003 examines human development through bined impact of childhood abuse, unemployment and the prism of human security – an issue at the heart of a lack of social support networks. societal development in a country where individuals, social groups, and government institutions have gone Politically – and this is its most crucial feature – through a series of painful and radical transforma- the Report offers a platform for public policy debate. tions over the past decade. The topic of human secu- Given Latvia’s experience as a transition society, there rity is aptly chosen, since Latvia is currently experienc- are significant perceptions of insecurity in the coun- ing another period of transformation. UNDP Latvia try. Specifically, the Report’s findings reveal several believes that it is crucial for individuals to feel empow- major human security concerns. Among them are the ered – both subjectively and objectively – to cope with predictability and level of incomes, access to quality and address situations of human insecurity. The Gov- and affordable health services, and the impact of ernment of Latvia must also be aware of the issues and domestic violence and organised crime. concerns surrounding human security. Some of the fears regarding human security are I feel that the outcome of this Report is path- justified, others are exaggerated, a few are unwarrant- 2002/2003 breaking in several respects. ed, but all merit attention. As one interviewee put it, Latvia is “a nervous society,” one that has undergone Conceptually, the Report builds on and enriches dramatic political and socio-economic changes over the international debate on the notion of human secu- the past 15 years. These have been marked by new rity. It focuses on people’s perceptions regarding their chasms in regional development and personal human security – the degree to which they feel “free of incomes, and by an upheaval in the provision of social fear and free of want” (Kofi Annan). Drawing on the services, such as for health or welfare. expanding literature on the topic of human security, the authors have developed an innovative approach to Despite Latvia’s many accomplishments – which formulating and organising human security issues. include guaranteeing human rights, democratic rule They have introduced new concepts into the debate, and a well-structured system of public administra- which will render the notion of human security tion, as well as facilitating enterprise development amenable to policy making. and economic growth – there remains a deep-seated wariness of the public domain. The contribution of First, the authors have developed the concept of the Report, in this sense, is to provide a preliminary securitability – the individual’s ability to avoid, cope list of ideas around which to identify and arrange pri- with and overcome situations of human insecurity. orities for action so as to address human security con- Second, they present the idea of securitability factors – cerns. Its recommendations address not only the con- LATVIA HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 4 Foreword ventional partners of the UNDP – government and civil society – but also place the spotlight on the roles and responsibilities of the individual. This is an unusual and creative approach. It is hoped that these ideas can assist in policy debates and decisions not only in Latvia, but also in other transition societies and in every society facing challenges to human security. Like its predecessors, this Report on human development in Latvia is uncomfortable, and deliberately so. Its purpose is to disturb, to analyze, to instigate change and to advocate for sustainable human development. Gabriele Köhler UNDP Resident Representative United Nations Latvia HUMAN SECURITY

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