At the United Nations Millennium Summit held in 2000, the concept of establishing an independent committee for human security was launched for the first time.

The Committee was established in January 2001 and began its work in June of that same year. At this early stage of launching the new concept, there was general agreement that the greatest challenge threatening human security is poverty. However, after nearly seven years of initiating the concept and with the increased attention given by governments,  civil society and academics and even individuals, and the emergence of several crises and setbacks threatening people's security, the concept expanded to include several challenges and issues besides poverty. Perhaps most important are armed conflicts and violence, terrorism, economic setbacks, illiteracy and epidemics….
The concept then crystallized to include two broad aspects, one dealing with human insecurity arising from conflict and violence.The second dealing with the developmental aspects of human security and focuses on lack of security related to poverty, health, education, and gender discrimination. Accordingly, the concept of human security is now based on a major assumption that security of individuals is achieved through work on two parallel tracks: first, settlement of conflicts and second, moving steadily forward with respect to development activities.

The broad spectrum of issues covered by the concept and the areas involved in the steps to achieve it, involves women in general and Arab women in particular. Conflicts and armed conflicts, post-conflict situations and forced displacement due to wars or occupation, poverty and deprivation of education, illiteracy, HIV diseases, and gender discrimination constitute some of the issues that fit in the concept and that directly impact on Arab women.

It is evident here that the issue of human security/women is a central theme for future AWO programs. On the one hand, The issues covered by the concept intersect with AWO's fields of work and with the themes and recommendations of the eight intellectual forums of Arab Women Summits, as well as with the workshops of the first AWO conference. The Organization is keen on activating the recommendations. Furthermore, it is essential for the Organization to be cognizant of new developments in the international arena regarding issues that are the focus of its work with women. On the other hand, the importance of the conference becomes clear if we recall the utmost importance accorded by AWO to building partnerships and networking. The Conference provided an excellent opportunity for the Organization to achieve this goal since all its sessions witnessed an interaction between Arab and international participants.

• Arabs should contribute to the formation of this newborn concept, especially as it relates to women, by providing information to the international community on their vision, hopes and fears regarding this concept and its implications for women. There is an on-going international debate regarding this concept through the hearings of the Human Security Committee around the world; South America, Asia and Africa have provided extensive contributions in this regard. The Arab region which was an active member in the international dialogue leading to the creation of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration on Human Rights should also be active in discussions that aim at identifying the features of this new concept.
• Obtain maximum benefits from the opportunities offered by globalization. Despite the drawbacks of globalization, it helps tremendously in creating a world that is increasingly interdependent. Thus, despite the growing challenges threatening people's security under globalization, human cohesion under globalization provides enormous opportunities to meet these challenges. Hence, the achievement of world wide security requires integrated international policies and commitment from the international community to meet the security and developmental needs of people in different regions of the world. Such a conference which provides a forum for dialogue, encourages the international community to live up to its responsibilities.
• Arab and international communities should engage in a dynamic dialogue aimed at translating their common interest in the concept of human security in general, and women's security in particular, into policies and programs of action that set out the responsibilities of all parties and enforce obligations which can be applied in reality.

First Redefining Security: From National to Human Security: How Far have Women been taken into Consideration?

Second Women’s Security: Culture and its Impact

Third Economic Globalization: How Far and in what Way has it Impacted Women’s Security?

Fourth Education and Awareness: The Effective Way to Heighten Women’s Security.

Fifth Health /Environmental Issues and Women’s Security

Sixth Women’s Security and the Impact of Social Policies

Seventh Wars, Conflicts and Women’s Human Security

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• President of Conference Speeche Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak
  
  
• First Ladies Speeches
  • Speech of Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah Hashimate Kingdom of Jordan
  • Speech of Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka Bint Ibrahim Al-Khalifa Wife of His Majesty the king of Bahrin
  • Speech of Mrs. Leila Ben Ali
  • Speech of Her Excellency Mrs. Widad Babker Omer Mudawi
  • Speech of Mrs. Asma al-Assad
  • Speech of Mrs. Amina Abbas
  • Speech of Mrs. Wafaa Michel Sleiman First Lady Of Lebanon
  • Speech of Mrs. Susan Mubarak

To ensure the highest possible scientific preparations for the conference, AWO commissioned a scientific team to prepare and review all scientific issues related to the conference.
The scientific team started work in October 2007. The team holds regular meetings to set the terms of reference of the conference papers, reviews paper drafts, nominates commentators, members of the round table discussion in addition to all relevant scientific issues related to the conference. The director general of AWO, Professor Dr.Wadouda Badran and the director of planning and programs at AWO, Professor Dr. Ola AbouZeid hold meetings with the head of the scientific team to discuss the scientific preparation for the conference.

Head of the scientific team

Professor Dr. Bahgat Korany

Professor of International Relations at the American University in Cairo (AUC) and Director of the AUC Forum and Research Professor at the University of Montreal.

Members of the scientific team: