Titled "Reviewing National Security in the 21 Century", delegates are discussing national security management, national security and human rights and food security in Southern Africa, among others.
The workshop has brought together various stakeholders including government officials, academics and security experts.
Opening the workshop yesterday, Intelligence Minister Ronnie Kasrils said the adoption of a democratic and human rights based Constitution heralded the establishment of an intelligence dispensation that was qualitatively different from the one that had existed before.
"The Constitution made specific and exclusive provision for the establishment of the yet to be determined civilian intelligence organisations, under the authority of the President.
"Legislation made provision for the establishment of two civilian intelligence services, the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and the South African Secret Service (SASS). It made provision for the establishment of the National Intelligence Coordinating Committee (NICOC), and a supervisory and policy generating body, the Ministry for Intelligence Services," said Kasrils.
He added that in order to ensure that intelligence acted in a manner that was non-partisan and within the Constitutional and legal framework, provision was also made for the appointment of an Inspector General for Intelligence, with an oversight role.
Kasrils said security affected the daily lives of all South Africans, adding that "to be secure" meant to be free from danger, threat or uncertainty, which were all common human needs.
"It therefore foregrounds the need to involve broader participation of society in crafting the meaning of the concept," he explained.
He expressed hope that the conference would create increased understanding and awareness for matters such as the money spent on intelligence services, the weapons acquisition programme as well as South Africa's support for peace missions in Africa.
The Minister said security was not a static matter and that the dynamics of the domestic and international environment emphasised the need for a conference of this kind to become an annual institution.
He said the main challenges South African intelligence was facing was maintaining a fine balance between secrecy and the constitutional rights and responsibilities of citizens and improving the ability to understand new national security challenges on the technological and resource terrains.
Another challenge was to assist government to position the country so that it became a progressive force for stability, development and predictability in continental and international relations.
The conference ends tomorrow. - BuaNews.
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