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Oxford Course 2008
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Human Development: From Theory to Practice
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Resources: Human Development Reports and related | Learning and training materials | Books and periodicals | Literature | Courses

Human Development Reports and related

Human Development Report

First launched in 1990 with the single goal of putting people back at the center of the development process in terms of economic debate, policy and advocacy, the HDR is the primary publication of this office.

Two degrees of separation between hope and despair
A young people's summary of the United Nations Human Development Report 2007/2008

The young people of the world have produced a Youth Booklet that includes drawings, poems and human stories on climate change and development, entirely made by and for young people!

Water Rights and Wrongs
A young people's summary of the United Nations Human Development Report 2006

The young people of the world have produced a Youth Booklet that includes drawings, poems and human stories on water and development, entirely made by and for young people!

People First: Human Development Reports
DVD

This video tells the story of the Human Development Report, its origin, its concepts and the reasons for its emergence in 1990. It discusses the Human Development Index (HDI) and key approaches to the measurement of development that go well beyond national incomes. Mixing interview footage and images from the field, this video is a great introduction to the concept of Human Development.

Fifteen Years of Human Development Reports 1990-2004
CD-ROM

This CD-ROM includes the complete, searchable texts of 15 Human Development Reports (HDR) 1990-2004, along with the data from the indicator tables of the HDR 2004. The search function allows rapid access to content and bookmarking.

Background papers
Background research, thematic papers, issue notes

In preparation for the Human Development Report every year, the Human Development Report Office (HDRO) commissions a number of experts to write papers on issues related to the theme of the Report.

Learning and training materials

Measuring Human Development
A Primer

This publication is a tool for all those working on sub-national, national and regional Human Development Reports (HDRs). This reference may also be useful to all professionals working on human development issues. It consists of guidelines and tools to support the production of quantitatively and qualitatively rigorous reports that support a process of evidence based policy making and advocacy.

HDR Toolkit for National and Regional Human Development Report Teams
Practical Guidelines, Examples and Resources for Achieving Excellence in HDRs

This Toolkit is intended as a reference for all who are involved in the preparation of Human Development Reports (HDRs). It is a practical handbook, with clear suggestions for action and specific examples, along with tools for guidance and support.

HDR Timeline
Key Steps in the Human Development Report Process

A companion to the HDR Toolkit, providing recommendations for the sequencing of many different processes involved in producing and advocating HDRs.

HD Insights
Monthly newsletter for practitioners

This network initiative aims to highlight pertinent issues HDR teams and the larger research community are grappling with and to promote understanding on human development concepts, its analysis and measurement.

Ideas, Innovation, Impact
How Human Development Reports Influence Change

This publication features concrete examples of the effects of Human Development Reports. Included are descriptive texts highlighting stories such as that of Egypt's Governorates which now use the HDI to target the 58 lowest ranking sub-administrative units, and Kosovo’s HDR recommendations that led to a Law to carry out a population and housing census.

Books and periodicals

Journal of Human Development
A Multi-Disciplinary Journal for People-Centered Development

The journal publishes original work that expands concepts and measurement tools for human development and that challenges traditional views of economics.

Readings in Human Development
Concepts, Measures and Policies for a Development Paradigm Second Edition

This volume brings together the collection of papers that have shaped the human development approach with its set of concepts, measurement tools and policy perspectives.

Sustainable Human Development
A Young People's Introduction

This student-created textbook is designed to provide an introduction to the concepts of Human Development and sustainability. The publication is well suited as key reading material for both Geography and Citizenship classes.

Human Development Literature

For more introductory information on Human Development, please see:

Griffin, Keith and Terry McKinley. (1992) "Towards a Human Development Strategy". Human Development Report Occasional Papers.

Haq, Mahbub ul. (1992) "Human Development in a Changing World". Human Development Report Occasional Papers.

Haq, Mahbub ul. (1995) Reflections on Human Development. Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press.

Fukuda-Parr, Sakiko. (2003) "The Human Development Paradigm: Operationalizing Sen's Ideas on Capabilities" in Feminist Economics 9(2-3), 2003, 3001-317.

Sen, Amartya. (1999) Development as Freedom. New York: Anchor Books.

Streeten, Paul. (1992) "Global Governance for Human Development". Human Development Report Occasional Papers.

Human Development and Capability Association - an association that promotes research from many disciplines on problems related to impoverishment, justice, and well-being.
Website: www.capabilityapproach.com

For more resources, visit the NHDR Workspace HD Training Materials.

UNDP and Academic Courses on Human Development

These documents contain a wide range of documented Human Development courses and trainings that occur both within and outside of university settings worldwide. Courses are offered on all continents.
(Latest update: 10 October 2008)

This website will also be host to an online Human Development Journey course, available to the public free of charge. The course is currently being finalized and will be made available during Winter 2008/2009.

For UNDP staff only, two Human Development courses exist in the Learning Management System (LMS). Registration is done through the UNDP LMS system.