The Human Security Network is based on a bilateral agreement between Norway and Canada that was signed in 1998. The so called Lysøen Cooperation was named after the Norwegian Island outside Bergen where the idea was conceived. Building on the success achieved through the Norwegian-Canadian co-operation on the landmines campaign, the objective of the agreement was to apply the same energy and advocacy to a range of other threats to people's safety around the world.
Since the birth of The Lysøen Cooperation/Human Security Network, more partners have been included. Today the Human Security Network consists of over a dozen countries – representing different regions of the world – with a common goal of identifying concrete areas for collective action in the area of human security. The members are committed to (1) promoting respect for human rights and international humanitarian law (2) strengthening the rule of law and good governance and (3) fostering a culture of peace through peaceful resolution of conflicts, controlling the instruments of violence and ending impunity in case of violations of human rights and international law.