Opening powerpoint presentation by H.G. Brauch, 21 November 2005

Security is a basic value, goal and means of politics.Security is always subjective, it depends on the perception ofdangers (threats, challenges, vulnerabilities & risks).The Fall of the Berlin Wall was instrumental for a reconceptualisationof security in politics and research.New security dangers (threats, challenges, vulnerabilities &risks) and security concepts have since influenced thedebate.Since the 1990s concepts of national security have beencomplemented with concepts of human security (UNDP1994).Different worldviews and mindsets have contributed since2001 to different security concepts and perceptions ofsecurity dangers in Europe and in the U.S.