Contemporary states could provide for their own optimal security only if they take into account the changing nature of security threats, processes of emerging security interdependence and intensification of cooperation at international level. They should also consider capabilities of national and international security mechanisms. Research results made available scientific analyses of factors, which are important for functioning of society in security field, first of all: - Analyses of changes in security threats, like diminishing importance of military threats and emergence of new threats, e.g. terrorism, environmental threats, organised crime, epidemics etc. which could threaten basic social values. - Analyses of crisis management, which enable improvements in crisis management system in Slovenia, considering experience from former crises in Slovenia or in foreign countries. - Analyses of process and consequences of Slovenian inclusion into European security institutions (EU and NATO), which changed also relations between national and international level of providing security. - Analyses of social and value changes, which influence the legitimacy of institutions of national security system, participation of citizens in this system and determine security culture of society. - Analyses of functioning of national security system, specific problems connected with adaptation of armed forces to changed situation (down-sizing and profesionalisation), with relations between military and civil society, with development of non-military security capabilities, etc. The programme, relying on contemporary theoretical concepts and empirical data, provides basic knowledge for national security policy-making and for re-shaping security institutions in Slovenia. Research results serve as support for political decision makers in the field of security and also provide appropriate level of scientific knowledge for other interested actors in this field, like media, governmental and nongovernmental organisations, professional and general public. Programme achievements also support effective integration and activities of Slovenia in European and other international security organizations and her activities in different multilateral military and non-military security missions. In addition, programme provides for higher role of academic community in the national security issues as well as for the higher level of political, professional and public debates in this field. It also facilitates different forms of international scientific contacts and cooperation.