Global Human Development

Abstract

In the recent past, strategies for ameliorating the problems of poor countries had polarized. Some strategists emphasized rapid economic development, arguing that without it all that can be redistributed is poverty. Other strategists advocated the equitable distribution of economic benefits, arguing that rapid economic growth may diminish the quality of life: it may change traditional cultures, create inequalities of wealth, and pollute the environment. Toward resolving this conundrum and spurring development, the United Nations hosted the Millennium Summit in September 2000 at which 189 countries adopted the Millennium Declaration that established these eight development goals to be achieved b1y 2015 or earlier: (1) eradicate extreme poverty and hunger; (2) achieve universal primary education; (3) promote gender equality and empower women; (4) reduce child mortality; (5) improve maternal health; (6) combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases; (7) ensure environmental sustainability; and (8) develop a global partnership for development (UNDP 2003). Achievement of these goals would vastly improve the human development of the nations of the world.