18 June 2015
HDR 2015 to Address Work for Human Development
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In an article and blog post, Selim Jahan, Director of the Human Development Report Office (HRDO) of the UN Development Programme (UNDP), explains the theme of the 2015 Report, ‘Rethinking Work for Human Development,' ahead of its launch in November 2015.

UNDP10 June 2015: In an article and blog post, Selim Jahan, Director of the Human Development Report Office (HRDO) of the UN Development Programme (UNDP), explains the theme of the 2015 Report, ‘Rethinking Work for Human Development,’ ahead of its launch in November 2015.

The concept of work encompasses creativity, human potential and innovation, and helps to make lives meaningful, productive and worthwhile, according to Jahan. In contrast to employment or jobs, “work” also includes unpaid care work, creative work and voluntary work, all of which Jahan says are critical for human development. He cautions, however, that the link between human development and work is not automatic, pointing out that exploitative and hazardous work does not contribute to human development.

The 2015 HDR will address five aspects: the positive and negative linkages between work and human development; the changing and evolving world of work, such as the e-economy, information and communications technology (ICT) and mobile work, and implications for human development and equitable opportunities; recognition of care work and its connections to human development; the incorporation of sustainable work in the proposed Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); and recommendations for reorienting, reorganizing and reinventing work to enrich human development. The report will also focus on agriculture and rural development, gender and work, informal work, youth and employment, and work during crisis and post-crisis situations.

Jahan argues that by pursuing alternative ways of looking at and measuring development, and placing people at the center, the HDR “has changed the content and tone of the development dialogue around the world,” informed and influenced policymaking, and provided advocacy tools for civil society. He adds that the HDR will continue to revisit concepts and measurements of human development to address new and emerging challenges, such as achieving the post-2015 development agenda. [HRDO Press Release] [UNDP Blog]

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