Synopsis Promoting human security requires measures to protect people from disruptions to nations and households. It also requires addressing the many sources of risk and vulnerability that affect poor people. The social development objectives of human development call for adequate levels of health, education, employment and social protection. Social development is a right in itself. It directly improves the lives of poor women and men, and contributes to overall growth and development. The poor need to be able to exercise their human rights and to influence state institutions and social processes that affect their lives. Rights based approaches to poverty reduction strengthen the norms and institutions that protect universal human rights through open political, economic, legal and judicial systems.