The balancing act between ethics and security
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.
