Global Pandemic and Human Security: Technology and Development Perspective

This book highlights how the human security aspect has been affected by the global pandemic, based on the specific case study, field data, and evidence. COVID-19 has exemplified that the pandemic is global, but its responses are local. The responses depend on national governance and policy framework, use of technology and innovation, and people’s perceptions and behavior, among many others. There are many differences in how the pandemic has affected the rich and the poor, urban and rural sectors, development and fiscal sectors, and developed and developing nations and communities.

Echoing human security principles, the 2030 Agenda emphasized a “world free of poverty, hunger, disease and want… free of fear and violence… with equitable and universal access to quality education, health care, and social protection….to safe drinking water and sanitation… where food is sufficient, safe, affordable and nutritious… where habitats are safe, resilient and sustainable…and where there is universal access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy.” 

These basic human security [PA1] principles and development agenda are highly affected by the global pandemic worldwide, irrespective of its development and economic status. Thus, the book highlights the nexus between human security and development issues. It has two major pillars, one is the development and the other is technology issues. These two inter-dependent topics are discussed in the perspective of the global pandemic, making this the most important feature of this book.

While the world is still in the middle of a pandemic, and possibly other natural and biological hazards may affect peoples’ lives and livelihoods in the future, this book provides some key learning, which can be used to cope with future uncertainties, including climate risks. Thus, the book is timely and relevant to wider readers.

Rajib Shaw is a professor in the Graduate School of Media and Governance at Keio University, Japan. He is also the Senior Fellow of the Institute of Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) Japan, and the Chairperson of SEEDS Asia and CWS Japan, two Japanese NGOs. He is also co-founder of a Delhi (India) based social entrepreneur startup Resilience Innovation Knowledge Academy (RIKA). Earlier, he was the Executive Director of the Integrated Research on Disaster Risk (IRDR) and was a Professor at Kyoto University. His expertise includes disaster governance, community-based disaster risk management, climate change adaptation, urban risk management, and disaster and environmental education. Professor Shaw was the Chair of the United Nations Science Technology Advisory Group (STAG) for disaster risk reduction, and currently the Co-chair of the Asia Pacific Science Technology Academic Advisory Group (ASTAAG). He is also the CLA (Coordinating Lead Author) for the Asia chapter of IPCC’s 6th Assessment Report. He is the editor-in-chief of the journal “Progress in Disaster Science”, and series editor of a Springer book series on disaster risk reduction. Prof. Shaw has published 52 books and over 400 academic papers and book chapters.

Anjula Gurtoo is a professor at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India. She is also the Chairperson of the Policy Centre at the Institute. She works in the area of public policy including informal economy, urban infrastructure, and public systems. Prof. Gurtoo has published 2 books and over 70 academic papers and book chapters. She is the recipient of the Chevening/Rolls-Royce Science and Innovation Leadership Fellowship, British High Commission, United Kingdom, (2017), Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru National Award for her outstanding contribution in the field of Public Policy and Social Science from the Department of Science and Technology, Government of Madhya Pradesh, India (2010-12), and the Social Science Research Award for overall contribution to research, by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada (2009). She is an expert member in several governmental committees including Karnataka Bio Economy Report 2020 (KBER), Rajasthan Public Service Commission, Empanelment Committee of Karnataka Evaluation Authority, and Professional Technical Advisory Committee, Karnataka Municipal Data Society.