Remark by the Executive Director

It is a great pleasure to welcome you on behalf of the Co-Chairs, Mrs. S. Ogata and Prof. A. Sen, to the first meeting and launching of the Commission on Human Security at the Whitney Greentree Estate from 8 to 10 June 2001.

The purpose of this first meeting is to formally launch the work of the Commission, decide on its objectives, activities, functioning and outreach. Please find attached a proposed agenda for this meeting. Included are also various contributions prepared by Commission members which will help guide the discussions.

To assist in the work of the Commission, a Secretariat has been set with the assistance of the Government of Japan and the support of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

The Rockefeller Foundation has made this first meeting possible through its generous financial support. The unique environment of the Greentree Estate provides an opportunity to meet each other and to exchange ideas in an informal setting. Moreover, it was the wish of Mr. and Mrs. Whitney that the Estate be used to advance human welfare and reduce human conflict.

Yours sincerely,


François Fouinat
Executive Director