INEX

Converging and conflicting ethical values in the internal/external security continuum in Europe

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Security and insecurity are social, cultural, political concepts. Nowhere is this more evident than in the challenges produced by the evolving continuum between internal and external security challenges. The interdisciplinary project INEX is designed around two research axes: thematic and geopolitical. On the thematic axis it will study four fields of knowledge of high relevance to the question of the ethics and the value-laden tensions arising along the continuum between internal and external security in Europe: (1) the ethical consequences of the proliferation of security technologies, (2) the legal dilemmas that arise from transnational security arrangements, (3) the ethical and value questions that stem from the shifting role of security professionals and (4) the consequences of the changing role of foreign security policy in an era when the distinction between the external and internal borders grows less distinct On the geopolitical axis it will study and produce recommendations relative to two geographical theatres of high relevance for ethical issues of internal/external security: the Eastern European ‘neighbourhood’ including Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova and the Mediterranean ‘neighbourhood’ including Morocco, Algeria and Egypt. The project will link directly with representatives of the security technology industry as well as security provision services that implement concretely to the border security arrangements. The state-of-the-art research carried out by the project will result in a variety of different outputs aimed primarily at relevant policy-makers, researchers and educators. It will present analyses of current security challenges with particular attention to the human side of the security challenge, and on this basis propose remedial to the new challenges of the internal/external security continuum.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Finding a happy medium between maintaining ethical values and addressing security concerns is not an easy feat. Yet the EU believes that it can still adhere to its values without compromising security.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

The relationship between security and ethical values is often a conflicting one that poses many questions for security policymakers in the EU. It is also a subject that has not been studied in depth and deserves more attention in light of current affairs and threats.

The EU-funded 'Converging and conflicting ethical values in the internal/external security continuum in Europe' (INEX) project is investigating European security through an innovative analysis of the values and ethical considerations of the security continuum. This involves exploring essential value assumptions and ethical consequences that have remained largely understudied, and brings to the fore significant considerations for both European policy and lawmaking in further security practices. The project is tackling this challenge by elaborating distinct recommendations about how increased awareness and emphasis on the ethical dimensions of security policy improve the effectiveness and efficiency of security measures.

INEX is analysing, clarifying and documenting the ethical value assumptions on security. This covers the proliferation of security technologies for surveillance and border control, the transnational legal dilemmas of European security practice and the shifting roles of security professionals. The project is also investigating the ethical implications related to the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and on the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) implementation vis-a-vis internal security challenges. INEX is thoroughly examining these bodies to identify their ethical considerations through surveys and analyses.

In its second year, the project conducted important research to help complete and refine the state of the art in these various areas of ethics and security. It is now applying the analytical framework on this theme produced for the six case countries selected from the eastern and southern neighbourhoods of the EU. INEX organised several workshops and seminars attended by numerous relevant experts and speakers, an important step in supporting its objectives through greater visibility and strategic impact. Extensive debate between the project's partners, policymakers and experts have led to innovative conclusions on the subject overall.

In an important development, the project published policy briefs in the INEX series at the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS) in Brussels, Belgium. These policy briefs inform policymakers on the changing nature of security research. Striking the balance between ethics and security is now within our reach.