Helen Clark, head of the UN Development Programme, launched the 20th anniversary edition of the Human Development Report at an event in the House of Commons on 23 November.
Entitled 'The Real Wealth of Nations: Pathways to Human Development', the report looks back at the past decades, identifying often surprising trends and lessons for the future. It demonstrates that there is no single formula for development, and that impressive gains can be achieved even without consistent economic growth.
Speaking at the House of Commons, Helen Clark said:
when the first Human Development Report was produced 20 years ago, it began by stating that 'people are the real wealth of a nation'. From those words, it set out the case for a new approach to thinking about development which put people at its very centre.