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Arab Human Development Report 2002: Creating opportunities for future generations (UNDP)

From the Atlantic to the Gulf, people --women, men and children-- are the real wealth and hope of Arab countries. Policies for development and growth in the Arab region must focus on freeing people from deprivation, in all its forms, and expanding their choices. Over the last five decades, remarkable progress has been achieved in advancing human development and reducing poverty. However, much still needs to be done to address the backlog of deprivation and imbalance. Looking forward, much also needs to be done in order to empower the people of the Arab region to participate fully in the world of the twenty-first century. Globalization and accelerating technological advances have opened doors to unprecedented opportunities, but they have also posed a new risk: that of being left behind as the rate of change accelerates, often outpacing state capacity. Development is being reinvented by new markets (e.g., foreign exchange and capital markets), new tools (e.g., the Internet and cellular phones), new actors (e.g., non-governmental organizations, the European Union and World Trade Organization) and new rules (e.g., multilateral agreements on trade, services and intellectual property).

http://hdr.undp.org/reports/detail_reports.cfm?view=600

(Added: Thu Jun 12 2003   Modified: Fri Jan 12 2007   Hits: 417)

Human Development Report 2000

Human Development Report 2000 looks at human rights as an intrinsic part of development and at development as a means to realizing human rights. It shows how human rights bring principles of accountability and social justice to the process of human development.

http://hdr.undp.org/reports/global/2000/en/

(Added: Fri Jun 30 2000   Modified: Wed Jan 10 2007   Hits: 415)

Human Development Report 2002: Deepening Democracy in a Fragmented World.

Politics matter for human development. Reducing poverty depends as much on whether poor people have political power as on their opportunities for economic progress. Democracy has proven to be the system of governance most capable of mediating and preventing conflict and of securing and sustaining well-being. By expanding people's choices about how and by whom they are governed, democracy brings principles of participation and accountability to the process of human development. Download the complete Human Development Report in one big file (2.7MB) or by chapter. The Acrobat Reader is needed from Adobe Systems to view these PDF files. You can also order the hardcopy.

http://hdr.undp.org/reports/global/2002/en/

(Added: Thu Jul 25 2002   Modified: Wed Jan 10 2007   Hits: 429)

Human Development Report 2003 (PDF)

Millennium Development Goals: A compact among nations to end human poverty (UNDP). The range of human development in the world is vast and uneven, with astounding progress in some areas amidst stagnation and dismal decline in others. Balance and stability in the world will require the commitment of all nations, rich and poor, and a global development compact to extend the wealth of possibilities to all people.

http://hdr.undp.org/reports/global/2003/

(Added: Fri Jul 11 2003   Modified: Wed Jan 10 2007   Hits: 560)

Human Development Report 2004: Cultural Liberty in Today's Diverse World (pdf)

UNDP, 2004. Accommodating people's growing demands for their inclusion in society, for respect of their ethnicity, religion, and language, takes more than democracy and equitable growth. Also needed are multicultural policies that recognize differences, champion diversity and promote cultural freedoms, so that all people can choose to speak their language, practice their religion, and participate in shaping their culture-so that all people can choose to be who they are.

http://hdr.undp.org/reports/global/2004/

(Added: Wed Jul 21 2004   Modified: Mon Nov 13 2006   Hits: 561)

Human Development Report 2005 "International cooperation at a crossroads: Aid, trade and security in an unequal world" [PDF]

This year's Human Development Report takes stock of human development, including progress towards the MDGs. Looking beyond statistics, it highlights the human costs of missed targets and broken promises. Extreme inequality between countries and within countries is identified as one of the main barriers to human development-and as a powerful brake on accelerated progress towards the MDGs.

http://hdr.undp.org/reports/global/2005/

(Added: Wed Sep 14 2005   Modified: Mon Jul 02 2007   Hits: 346)

Human Development Report 2006: Beyond Scarcity - Power, Poverty and the Global Water Crisis

The Human Development Report frames debates on some of the most pressing challenges facing humanity. This year's report: • Investigates the underlying causes and consequences of a crisis that leaves 1.2 billion people without access to safe water and 2.6 billion without access to sanitation • Argues for a concerted drive to achieve water and sanitation for all through national strategies and a global plan of action • Examines the social and economic forces that are driving water shortages and marginalizing the poor in agriculture • Looks at the scope for international cooperation to resolve cross-border tensions in water management. (UNDP, November 2006)

http://hdr.undp.org/hdr2006/

(Added: Fri Nov 10 2006   Modified: Wed Jan 10 2007   Hits: 287)

In Larger Freedom: Towards Development, Security and Human Rights for All

(United Nations, New York, 20 March) Secretary-General Kofi Annan today called on leaders to reach a new global deal to tackle the challenges of development, security and human rights, and to overhaul the United Nations. The recommendations in his report, titled In larger freedom: Towards development, security and human rights for all, lay the groundwork for decisions at the upcoming summit of world leaders at the UN in September 2005. Taking its name from a key phrase of the UN Charter, which speaks of social progress and better standards of life "in larger freedom", the report promotes a realignment of the world body to give additional weight to key development, security and human rights issues, while setting out plans to make the UN more efficient, open and accountable. Its recommendations are drawn in part from the conclusions of two UN-commissioned panels on collective security and on the anti-poverty Millennium Development Goals, as well as promises made in the Millennium Declaration of 2000.

http://www.un.org/largerfreedom/

(Added: Tue Mar 22 2005   Modified: Mon Jul 02 2007   Hits: 615)

Investing in Development: A Practical Plan to Achieve the Millennium Development Goals

We have the opportunity in the coming decade to cut world poverty by half. Billions more people could enjoy the fruits of the global economy. Tens of millions of lives can be saved. The practical solutions exist. The political framework is established. And for the first time, the cost is utterly affordable. Whatever one's motivation for attacking the crisis of extreme poverty-human rights, religious values, security, fiscal prudence, ideology-the solutions are the same. All that is needed is action. This report recommends the way forward. It outlines a way to attain this bold ambition. It describes how to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.

http://unmp.forumone.com/index.html

(Added: Tue Jan 18 2005   Modified: Fri Jul 08 2005   Hits: 732)

Making Globalization Work for All: United Nations Development Programme Annual Report 2007

UNDP's Annual Report for 2007. A close look at the past year covering topics such as HIV/AIDS, poverty reduction, democratic governance, and energy and the environment (UNDP 2007).

http://www.undp.org/publications/annualreport2007/IAR07-ENG.pdf

(Added: Tue Sep 18 2007   Hits: 183)

Millennium Declaration

Resolution adopted by the General Assembly, the United Nations Millennium Declaration. Adopted by the 8th Plenary Meeting of the UN, 8 September 2000. Provided context for the adoption of the Millennium Development Goals.

http://www.un.org/millennium/declaration/ares552e.htm

(Added: Fri Jul 08 2005   Modified: Fri Aug 05 2005   Hits: 249)

The 2005 World Summit: An Overview [PDF]

The 2005 World Summit, to be held from 14 to 16 September at United Nations Headquarters in New York, is expected to bring together more than 170 Heads of State and Government: the largest gathering of world leaders in history. It is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to take bold decisions in the areas of development, security, human rights and reform of the United Nations. The agenda is based on an achievable set of proposals outlined in March by Secretary- General Kofi Annan in his report In Larger Freedom (www.un.org/largerfreedom). These have since been reviewed by Governments in a series of informal consultations conducted by General Assembly President Jean Ping, who released on 5 August a third draft outcome document for the Summit. It is anticipated that another draft will be issued in late August. The latest version and additional details can be found at www.un.org/ga/59/hl60_plenarymeeting.

http://www.un.org/ga/documents/overview2005summit.pdf

(Added: Wed Sep 14 2005   Modified: Mon Jul 02 2007   Hits: 142)

The Inequality Predicament: Report on the World Social Situation 2005 [PDF]

UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, August, 2005. This Report traces trends and patterns in economic and non-economic aspects of inequality and examines their causes and consequences. It focuses on the traditional aspects of inequality, such as the distribution of income and wealth, as well as inequalities in health, education, and opportunities for social and political participation. The Report also analyses the impact of structural adjustment, market reforms, globalization and privatization on economic and social indicators, and sounds alarm over persistent and deepening inequality worldwide, focusing on the chasm between the formal and informal economies, the widening gap between skilled and unskilled workers, the growing disparities in health, education and opportunities for social, economic and political participation.

http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/rwss/media%2005/report/The%20Inequality%20Predicament.pdf

(Added: Fri Aug 26 2005   Modified: Wed Jan 17 2007   Hits: 323)

The Least Developed Countries Report 2006

Aid money and trade policies from foreign governments have created uneven and fragile growth in the world's 50 least developed countries (LDCs). Instead, job creation and full use of resources, and utilising regional trade and manufacturing, are key to reducing poverty and delivering long-term, stable growth. (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, July 2006)

http://www.unctad.org/Templates/webflyer.asp?docid=7011&intItemID=3881&lang=1&mode=toc

(Added: Mon Jul 24 2006   Hits: 401)

The National Human Development Reports for China Website

This comprehensive destination for information about human development in China is built for the use of researchers, policy makers, the news media, students and curious citizens. The main purpose of this site is to provide access to UNDP China's flagship publication, the National Human Development Report. This site also offers cutting edge information and links to learn more about the issues surrounding China's spectacular development path and the challenges it faces in its path towards human development with equity. We welcome you to explore the site and learn more about the fascinating issues that surround poverty relief and development in this dynamic country.

http://www.undp.org.cn/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&topic=40&sid=228

(Added: Tue Dec 20 2005   Hits: 252)

UN World Summit 2005: What Civil Society Is Saying

Reformtheun.org provides a list of all civil society statements from the 2005 UN World Summit in PDF format.

http://www.reformtheun.org/index.php/civil_society_statements/c458?theme=alt1

(Added: Mon Sep 26 2005   Modified: Mon Jul 02 2007   Hits: 248)

UN World Summit 2005: What Governments Are Saying

Reformtheun.org provides a list of all government statements from the 2005 UN World Summit in PDF format.

http://www.reformtheun.org/index.php/government_statements/c458?theme=alt2

(Added: Mon Sep 26 2005   Modified: Mon Jul 02 2007   Hits: 233)

UN World Summit Outcome Document from September 15th 2005

Approved outcome document from the 2005 United Nations World Summit.

http://www.reformtheun.org/index.php/united_nations/1433

(Added: Mon Sep 26 2005   Modified: Mon Jul 02 2007   Hits: 365)

UNDP Human Development Report 2001

Human Development Report 2000 looks at Making new technologies work for human development Technology networks are transforming the traditional map of development, expanding people's horizons and creating the potential to realize in a decade progress that required generations in the past.

http://hdr.undp.org/reports/global/2001/en/

(Added: Mon Dec 03 2001   Modified: Wed Jan 10 2007   Hits: 208)

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Contains the full text of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 10 December 1948.

http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html

(Added: Fri Jul 08 2005   Hits: 235)

World Bank Statement on Secretary General's Report

March 21 2005 "The World Bank welcomes the report of the UN Secretary-General (In Larger Freedom: towards development, security and human rights for all) and applauds its work to set in context the need for an integrated understanding of development and security."

http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/EXTABOUTUS/ORGANIZATION/EXTOFFICEPRESIDENT/EXTPASTPRESIDENTS/PRESIDENTEXTERNAL/0,,contentMDK:20402612~menuPK:219671~pagePK:159837~piPK:159808~theSitePK:227585,00.html

(Added: Tue Mar 22 2005   Modified: Thu Sep 14 2006   Hits: 258)

World Development Report 2004: Making Services Work For Poor People (PDF)

(World Bank) The World Development Report 2004: Making Services Work for Poor People says that too often, key services fail poor people - in access, in quantity, in quality. This imperils a set of development targets known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which call for a halving of the global incidence of poverty, and broad improvements in human development by 2015. The report provides powerful examples of where services do work, showing how governments and citizens can do better. There have been spectacular successes and miserable failures in the efforts by developing countries to make services work. The main difference between success and failure is the degree to which poor people themselves are involved in determining the quality and the quantity of the services which they receive.

http://econ.worldbank.org/wdr/wdr2004/text-18786/

(Added: Tue Sep 23 2003   Modified: Wed Jan 17 2007   Hits: 466)

World Development Report 2005: Draft Outline (pdf)

World Bank, November 14, 2003. Every day, firms and entrepreneurs around the world face important choices. A rural micro-entrepreneur ponders whether she should start a small business. A local manufacturing company considers whether it should expand its production line and hire new workers. A multinational enterprise debates whether it should establish a new plant in one of several alternative locations around the globe. Their decisions not only affect those directly involved but also play a key role in economic growth and poverty reduction. And they will depend in good part on government policies and behaviors that affect the investment climate in each location. The 2005 World Development Report (WDR05), the 27th in the series, will examine what governments can do to improve the investment climates of their countries to help spur growth and reduce poverty.

http://econ.worldbank.org/wdr/wdr2005/library/doc?id=31274

(Added: Thu Mar 11 2004   Modified: Wed Jan 17 2007   Hits: 307)

World Development Report 2005: Improving the Investment Climate for Growth and Poverty Reduction: Information Gathering and Consultations

The 2005 WDR focuses on improving the investment climate and places particular emphasis on the role of government policies, institutions and behaviors in shaping incentives for firms to engage in productive economic activity, and thus to contribute to growth and poverty reduction. The WDR will consider the investment climate from the perspective of a broad range of firms, including local firms and micro-enterprises. World Bank.

http://econ.worldbank.org/wdr/wdr2005/topic/29261/

(Added: Thu Mar 11 2004   Modified: Wed Jan 17 2007   Hits: 272)

World Development Report 2006: Equity and Development

Inequality of opportunity, both within and among nations, sustains extreme deprivation, results in wasted human potential and often weakens prospects for overall prosperity and economic growth, concludes the 2006 World Development Report, the World Bank's major annual publication. To correct this situation and reduce poverty more effectively, Equity and Development recommends ensuring more equitable access by the poor to health care, education, jobs, capital, and secure land rights, among others. It also calls for greater equality of access to political freedoms and political power, breaking down stereotyping and discrimination, and improving access by the poor to justice systems and infrastructure.

http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/EXTDEC/EXTRESEARCH/EXTWDRS/EXTWDR2006/0,,menuPK:477658~pagePK:64167702~piPK:64167676~theSitePK:477642,00.html

(Added: Thu Sep 22 2005   Modified: Tue Nov 28 2006   Hits: 132)