WS Sandbox

What is Non-Traditional Security?

Non-Traditional Security (NTS) issues are challenges to the survival and well-being of peoples and states that arise primarily out of non-military sources, such as climate change, resource scarcity, infectious diseases, natural disasters, irregular migration, food shortages and transnational crime.

These dangers are often transnational in scope, defying unilateral remedies and requiring comprehensive - political, economic, social - responses, as well as humanitarian use of military force.

The Centre for NTS Studies

The mission of the Centre for NTS Studies is to conduct research and produces policy-relevant analyses aimed at furthering awareness and building capacity to address NTS issues and challenges in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.

To fulfil this Mission, the Centre for NTS Studies aims to:

• Advance the understanding of NTS issues and challenges in the Asia-Pacific by highlighting gaps in knowledge and policy, and identifying best practices among state and non-state actors in responding to these challenges.
• Provide a platform for scholars and policy-makers within and outside Asia to discuss and analyse NTS issues in the region.
• Network with institutions and organisations worldwide to exchange information, insights and experiences in the area of NTS.
• Engage policy-makers on the importance of NTS in guiding political responses to NTS emergencies and develop strategies to mitigate the risks to state and human security.
• Contribute to building the institutional capacity of governments, and regional and international organisations to respond to NTS challenges.

The Centre is also the Secretariat of the Consortium of Non-Traditional Security Studies in Asia (NTS-Asia), a network of  research institutes and think tanks from across Asia, which collaborate closely  in addressing current NTS challenges facing the region. For more information on NTS-Asia, please visit www.rsis-ntsasia.org