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HDRNet: Consolidated Reply
DISCUSSION: Identifying a Theme for the Global HDR2006
Crossposted on the RR-Net
Prepared by Kevin Watkins, Cecilia Ugaz, Sharmila Kurukulasuriya and Hanna Schmitt
14 July 2005

Table of Contents:

• Original Message
• Summary of Responses
• Resources
• List of Contributors
• Responses in Full

Original Message

Kevin Watkins, Director, Human Development Report Office/UNDP
21 March 2005

Dear Colleagues,

It is time for us to start thinking about the theme for next year’s global HDR! To this end, HDRO would like to draw on this resourceful community of human development practitioners once again to help us reflect on the contribution HDR 2006 should ideally make in informing development debates, building strategic partnerships and alliances, and changing policies. Past network discussions we had on the HDR 2005 theme and the concept note (with over 100 contributions) were critical in our preparatory process, particularly in identifying pertinent issues key in Reshaping international co-operation: aid, trade and security in an unequal world.

We have done some initial brainstorming on four potential themes, a compilation of which is included below. We would like to encourage network colleagues to think about the following criteria when assessing and providing suggestions for new themes:

1) Is it a core human development issue?

2) Do we have something distinctive to offer through the human development framework?

3) Is it an area in which we can make a difference in terms of challenging existing policies and identifying new ones?

In addition, we are keen on linking the work of the global HDR more closely with the work undertaken by national HDRs, so that we can come full circle in substantively feeding into one another’s work, whether it is through increased knowledge sharing between the authors, country level case studies, or the creative application of human development statistics to assess progress.

Please do consider the themes below as suggestions, and feel free to propose additional themes you consider relevant for the global HDR 2006 to address. In addition to exchanging ideas through the network, we invite you to vote on the themes you find most pertinent through this quick survey above.

As we are keen to move forward on developing the theme for next year’s report, we would very much appreciate it, if you could send us your inputs by April 4th.

We look forward to a lively discussion!

Regards,

Kevin

Kevin Watkins
Director,
Human Development Report Office
UNDP New York

Possible Themes for the Human Development Report 2006

1. Migration

The number of migrants has soared over recent years throughout the developing world. Migration is a complex phenomenon taking place over a variety of spatial and temporal circumstances. Migration occurs from low to high income countries; from low income to low income countries and within countries. Migration often represents an important strategy for the poor and non-poor to diversify income and livelihoods. It raises a series of concerns both at the place of origin and destination of migrants. Three recent UN initiatives focusing on international migration – the establishment of the independent Global Commission on International Migration, the decision by the Second Committee of the UN General Assembly that in 2006 the high-level dialogue of the General Assembly will be devoted to international migration and development; and the establishment of the Geneva Migration Group by the International Organization on Migration – underscore the extent of the challenge. However, within country migration is an urgent concern, since more costly international migration may be out of reach for the poorest and more deprived. A report on migration would focus on opportunities and challenges that migration can represent to the building of migrant’s capabilities. The report will try to develop an understanding of the reasons – material and non-material – pushing people to migrate. The report will distinguish between ‘voluntary’ migration as an expression of a fundamental freedom to choose where to live and to improve living conditions, and ‘involuntary’ migration – not longer associated with a livelihood diversification strategy but to a last resort strategy – that may exacerbate poverty and vulnerability. Cases such as migrant populations within China, the Roma population, pastoralist groups, etc. would be examined. The report would also consider the effects of migration on non-migrants (e.g. increased parental burden on those who are left behind, dependence on remittances, feeling of increased insecurity in the labor market due to the influx of lower-wage workers, etc.). The HDR 2006 would try to link up with the above mentioned UN initiatives in order to develop a more comprehensive approach to address such a complex phenomena from the human development perspective.

2. Ageing

Population in developing countries is ageing rapidly. Since the early 1980s, the majority of the world’s elderly people (aged of 60 or more) lives in the South. By 2015, 62 developing countries will see their elderly population increase by more than half. Some of these developing countries are on track to achieve the MDGs. Others may fail. Ageing is not explicitly addressed by any of the MDGs, but, UNDP’s work in assessing progress towards achieving the MDGs found that failing to improve living conditions of the elderly can slow down the process of achieving those goals. Also, MDGs will be difficult to achieve unless elderly people are full participants of poverty alleviation programmes. A report on ageing would try to map different life circumstances of elderly people and to underscore elderly people’s substantial contribution to the productive sphere both directly and through their contribution to the care economy. The report would develop a better understanding of capabilities of elderly people, and help to identify structural factors that constrain these capabilities preventing the elderly to contribute to the development process and live to their full potential. The report would consider for instance the impact of HIV/AIDS on the elderly populations in Africa and the challenge of provision of social insurance for the elderly both in poor and rich countries.

3. Averting a water crises

The declining quantity and quality of freshwater resources is becoming an overriding concern in the development agenda. A crisis affecting availability of fresh water is shaping in countries where existing resources cannot meet current needs. According to the UNEP, 450 million people in 29 countries suffer currently from water shortages. It is estimated that by the year 2025 two out of three people will live in water-stressed areas – areas where water consumption exceeds 10 percent of renewable freshwater resources. Demand is increasing due to population growth but also because of rising needs posed by irrigation and industrialization. Africa and West Asia face the most acute problem because of unreliable rainfall and high levels of water utilization. Lack of water has already been reported as a major constraint to industrial and socio-economic growth in China, India and Indonesia among other countries. Water crisis is mainly due to management of water resources. Fresh water resources are unevenly distributed. Much of water resources are located far from densely populated areas. Also, rivers, lakes and underground aquifers lie across national boundaries and can be shared by several countries. Thus, access to water will depend increasingly not only on national policies but on international agreements among nation states. To understand the current situation of access to water by different segments of the population (poor and non-poor) or the allocation of water among alternative uses – industry, agriculture, etc. – it is necessary to place water in a broader picture of economic flows and associated political and social power. In this context, power considerations take precedence over equity and efficiency in water resource allocation with poor communities and poor individuals having in general bigger problems to assert their rights to access water. An HDR would look at the effects that lack of freshwater availability represents for human development and the threat to livelihoods. The report would look at how the allocation of water is responding to the needs of the more vulnerable, and how to manage water resources to enhance environmental sustainability while protecting the poor people’s right to access water. Finally, the report would look at the role of international cooperation in order to avoid conflicts over shared water resources.

4. Access to basic services: health, education, water and sanitation

Access to basic services is at the core of the MDGs. Access to quality health, education, water and sanitation are the basis for human development. Over the past decades, there has been a steady improvement in the number of people throughout the developing world with access to basic services. Nevertheless, progress does not seem to be enough to reach universal access. Different models of provision have been tried in order to increase population coverage. The model of provision has shifted from state led, by which the state was founder and provider of services to a more ‘market based’ by which private for profit firms and non-profit organizations are allowed to enter the area of provision, which was previously confined to the state sphere. After few years of experimentation with opening up to market mechanisms and the creation of quasi markets the results are still disappointing. We can still observe that a relatively substantive share of the population in developing countries (the poor in particular) lack access to basic services, which are entitlements to their survival and development of basic capabilities. A report on the subject will look at the assumptions about market or state mechanisms to deliver services. It would focus on the issue of extending services to reach excluded/marginalised groups or to populations living in particularly challenging environments such as conflict regions or in geographically inaccessible conditions.

Summary of Responses:

Possible Themes for the Human Development Report 2006

Dear Colleagues,

Let me start by saying how incredibly useful the contributions received on HDR-net and RR-net have been in guiding our discussions on the theme for the 2006 global HDR. In particular, our team appreciates the detailed reflections this discussion spurred among colleagues around the world, both on and off the networks. In addition to the vibrant discussion where over 100 members shared their ideas, we received 994 responses to our HDR-net survey on theme choices!

The next few weeks will be spent on additional consultations, and we will announce the theme on the networks as soon as it has been decided. We have highlighted below some of the main points and country experiences that were shared during the discussion.

ACCESS TO BASIC SERVICES: HEALTH, EDUCATION, WATER AND SANITATION

The theme of access to basic services produced wide support among network members, particularly in the HDR-net survey. It was noted that improving access to basic services is key to reducing human poverty and achieving the MDGs. Hence, the outcome of this HDR would have many important policy implications as 2015 approaches and would offer decision makers policy options for achieving the MDGs.

The report could analyze strengths, constraints, successes and failures of different mechanisms of national and international development actors' intervention and cooperation in this area and bring alternative recommendations to redefine policies and strategies for improved access to basic services.

It was suggested that the set of basic services should include “Access to Information and Communication”, which is vital for communities in particularly underdeveloped and remote areas. Network members underlined that this topic should also make linkages to other issues, such as migration, a water crisis and crisis/conflict.

Some critics emphasized, however, that this topic might be too diverse to lend itself to the incisive style of the HDR and that a report on Access to Basic Services might end up rehashing policy options that have already been addressed in the human development discourse.

UNDP Haiti is considering Access to Basic Services as the theme for its next HDR in 2006. Today, many Haitians are still denied the possibility to enjoy certain services, such as education, employment and health, as well as collective goods such as electricity, water, etc.

Namibia’s next HDR on Youth and Human Development identifies access to basic services paricularly in the areas of health and education as one of the key challenges to expanding the freedoms and opportunities of youth. As a middle income country with deep structural levels of inequality, the focus is on quality as much as on access to basic services.

AVERTING A WATER CRISIS

Averting a water crisis was considered a timely and very important topic. The lack of access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation can lead to a humanitarian and development disaster. Global failure to manage water effectively hampers efforts to reduce poverty and threatens progress in human development. In developing countries over 1.1 billion people lack access to safe drinking water, over 2.3 billion lack access to adequate sanitation, and as a result, 2 million deaths occur annually. Eighty percent of all illnesses are water-related, and at any given time, half the population suffers from water-related diseases. Moreover, scarcity of water can be a cause of potential conflict.

Bringing a human development framework to the issue of averting a water crisis would assist in improving national and local water resource management mechanisms and contribute to policy options that would promote sustainable development. Some network members, however also raised concern that given the launch of the International Water Decade in 2005 and related ongoing debates, it might not appear to be a ‘new’ issue for the HDR 2006.

Network members shared the example of the Arab States, which is considered one of the most water stressed regions in the world. The per capita share of renewable water resources is currently less than 500 cubic metres per year in about 70% of Arab countries (versus a world average of 7,500 cubic metres). More than 65% of renewable water resources are trans-boundary and originate outside the region. About 50 million people lack access to safe drinking water and about 80 million people lack access to proper sanitation in the Arab States. Moreover, the region is subject to intense and recurrent drought which increases the vulnerability of the poorest communities, who rely primarily on natural resources for their livelihoods.

In Kazakhstan, the HDR 2004 was devoted to water as a key resource for achieving human development. Most vulnerable are the poor who will continue to suffer from diseases caused by poor water quality. Moreover, as 55% of national water needs are satisfied by rivers crossing Kazakhstan and its neighbouring nations, water may not only affect the country's internal security but also the overall human development of Central Asia, China and Russia.

MIGRATION

Network members noted that addressing the issue of migration from a global perspective would be extremely interesting. Network member underlined, that economic, social, political and cultural conditions determine different types of migration (voluntary and involuntary), all of which have significant impact on human development. Much of the analytical work done on migration focuses on its economic consequences. A clearly articulated human development dimension encompassing questions of human rights, human security, governance, gender equality, culture and diversity, employment and livelihood issues, to name a few remains lacking. In addition, network members pointed out that given continued global inequalities, migration, would be a timely theme choice and would offer room for a HDR to make a substantial contribution to current global debates on this topic.

Further, a HDR on migration could make an impact in terms of challenging existing policies and identifying new policy alternatives. Although the linkage between migration and development is increasingly recognized, migration has not yet consistently been integrated into national development agendas or in international assistance strategies.

Several contributions pointed to links that exist between migration and the other proposed themes. Network members provided examples of how increased migration in some countries helped to address issues of low birth rates and population ageing. Further, many initiatives and events on migration are underway, such as the Global Commission on International Migration, and we should ensure our work is aligned with these initiatives.

Network members shared a number of country examples:
In Nigeria, there is an increasing influx of people to Lagos, from within Nigeria and other neighbouring countries. This trend may explain some of the issues the population in Lagos is grappling with, such as growing crime rates, worsening living conditions, an increasing HIV/AIDS prevalence rate, and an overstretched social services system. Similarly, in the Central African Republic, especially the youth abandon their villages every year en masse. It appears that the mobility of young people has a direct bearing on the spread of HIV/AIDS, the prevalence rate of which has surpassed 25% in some rural areas. Internal migration is an intrinsic reason for China’s rapid transition to a market economy. When rural incomes began to level off, farmers started looking for alternative sources of income. In the late 1990s, China’s cities attracted close to 100 million rural migrants, most of whom were short-term laborers rather than long-term settlers.

Network members discussed the gender differential impact of migration. In Nepal for instance, high unemployment rates combined with the demand for women’s labor in the service sectors has resulted in an increasing number of women seeking employment elsewhere. Hence, given the lack of institutional support, traffickers often fill the gaps that the legal and social structure denies women. A survey carried out in the state of Rajasthan in India indicates that households who migrate have little confidence in government-sponsored schemes for employment generation.

Network members discussed the potential negative impact of migration on the country of origin, especially for smaller states. In a number of Caribbean Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) for example with high migration to OECD countries, migration has a direct impact on the work of UNDP’s capacity building initiatives as it has the potential to erode the inputs and results of UNDP’s support in all sectors of development.

In Nicaragua and the Central American region in general, families are increasingly dependent on remittances from family members. Remittances help the poor escape from the poverty trap and they also help to adjust balance of payment deficits. In El Salvador, where more than 25% of the population lives abroad, remittances are estimated to be approximately 17% of the GDP. Efforts to attract the Diaspora back to the country have also been attempted. Increasingly, Diaspora from India and China, for example, are drawn back to their countries, given their thriving economies, viable environments for investment, and stable economic and regulatory systems that are alluring features for them to return to their native homes, on a long-term basis.

AGEING

Network members identified Ageing as having significant human development impact. It is important to consider the causes of rapidly ageing populations, such as improved health services, living standards, reduced fertility, and improved social safety nets. Moreover, network members noted, it is a topic that affects developed and developing countries alike. The elderly often find themselves in particularly vulnerable situations as a result of: social, economic and political discrimination; income and employment insecurity, poor health; homelessness, lack of care and protection, etc. These vulnerabilities are often compounded by the absence of even minimal safety nets which are indispensable for the achievement of the MDGs. In addition to an analysis of the causes and vulnerabilities of the elderly, the analysis should address issues concerning varying pension systems.

Network members shared examples on how changing demographic structures affect different countries and regions. Many countries among the Arab States, for example, still seem to be in a position of expanding populations, i.e. younger populations, coupled with low rates of economic growth. This trend leaves the older citizens with weak social security nets.

In Bulgaria, a demographic crisis is looming. An increasing share of the population is older due to low birth rates, migration of youth and higher life expectancy. In Kazakhstan, where people over 65 years represent 6.7% of the total population, issues related to ageing have significant effects on social welfare, education, health care as well as investment, employment, consumption and saving patterns.

Network members underlined the fact that migration and ageing are often closely interlinked. In many countries declining birth rates are compensated by an increasing influx of migrants. In Japan during the period from 1985-1995 the number of immigrants increased by 60 percent.

In addition to the themes discussed above, a number of very interesting alternative themes were presented throughout the discussion, which deserve close consideration, such as:

Rule of law and human development
As was noted in the Secretary-General’s Report, “In larger freedom: towards development, security and human rights for all”, rule of law is fundamental to ensuring justice, peace and security and is also essential to all nations’ efforts to provide an enabling environment for human development.

Employment and livelihoods in a globalizing era
Much of the conventional wisdom related to employment has been brought into question given the escalating rates of unemployment in many developing countries that do not appear to respond to conventional stimuli. Issues surrounding employment have been mainstreamed in past HDRs but not dealt with directly as a theme of its own.

Disaster Risks as a Human Development Challenge
Another option that garnered wide support was that of Disaster Risks and Human Development. It was noted that disasters can instantly deplete years of development and pose a significant threat to prospects for achieving the MDGs. The Global HDR could help the development community to focus attention on adopting global, regional and national frameworks for action that call on policy makers to put disaster risk at the centre of their political agendas.

Freedom from Hunger
Apart from limitations of the international community to provide adequate support, national policies providing access to basic nutritional needs have yet to be effectively developed and implemented in countries afflicted by hunger. The HDR could take the lead on addressing the issue of adequate nutrition as a basic need that remains unfulfilled. A suggestion was also made to reflect this issue in the Human Development Index.

Results from HDR-Net Votes (number of responses = 994)

Other suggestions include:
Climate Change, Access to Financial Services, Capacity Retention and Utilisation, Crisis Prevention and Recovery, Environment, Gender Policy, Corruption, Democratic Governance, Disaster Risks, Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Education, Employment, Energy, Freedom from Hunger, Rethinking Security, Rule of Law and HD, Rural Development, Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, HIV/AIDS, Social Exclusion, UN and Peace Processes, and Youth.

 Once again, we would like to thank you for your contributions on the network. We would like to reiterate the importance of these network discussions to the global HDR process. We continue to depend on your support as we develop these ideas into the next HDR 2006. We will also be in touch regarding the September launch of this year’s HDR 2005, International cooperation at a crossroad: aid, trade and security in an unequal world.

Regards,

Kevin

Kevin Watkins
Director,
Human Development Report Office
UNDP New York

Resources

MIGRATION

Dr. Astghik Mirzakhanyan. "Labour Migrants in the Globalizing World", available at: http://hdr.undp.org/docs/network/hdr_net/Labour_Migrants_Mirzakhanyan05.pdf ; powerpoint presentation available at: http://hdr.undp.org/docs/network/hdr_net/Labour_Migrants_ppt_Mirzakhanyan05.ppt#268,1,Slide 1

Huang Ping and Frank N. Pleke: China Migration Country Study.
The purpose of this study is to synthesize information on internal and international migration in China in order to inform DFID. This paper was presented at the Regional Conference on Migration, Development and Pro-Poor Policy Choices in Asia, which took place on 22-24 June 2003 in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Huan Ping and Zhan Shaohua: Internal Migration in China: Linking it to Development.
This paper was presented on the Regional Conference on Migration and Development in Asia, which took place on 14-16 March 2005 in Lanzouh, China. The study examines the relationship between migration and development and poverty alleviation. It argues that internal labor migration can have positive effects on development and poverty alleviation in the areas of origin.

Bryan Lohmar, Fred Gale, and Linxiu Zhang: New Opportunities for Economic Assessment with Rural Household Data in China.
This paper was prepared for presentation at the MEXSAI Third Annual Conference on Agricultural Statistics, Cancun, November 2-4, 2004. It provides an overview of the response of the social science community to generate appropriate data for researching changes in China’s rural economy since the reforms in 1979.

Nong Zhu and Sandra Poncet: Provincial migration dynamics in China: borders, centripetal forces and trade.
This study pays particular attention to the influence of access to market on migration flows and through it to the strength of the centripetal forces which affect the geography of China as a whole. It also examines the relationship between domestic migration and trade.

Cai Fang: The Invisible Hand and the Visible Feet: Internal Migration in China. December 2000.
This paper provides a general picture of migration/labor mobility in post-reform China

UNDP India/ Human Development Resource Center: Aajeevika - Livelihoods in Rajasthan: Status, Constraints and Strategies for Sustainable Change.
This study carried out in Rajasthan, India, argues that conventionally "migration" is seen as a problem that rural development programmes are supposed to check. However, for poor people it is the key (and sometimes only) survival strategy. The survey indicates that people/households who migrate do not seem to have great confidence in government-sponsored schemes for employment generation.

Ninna Nyberg Sorensen. “The Development Dimension of Migrant Remittances.” Danish Institute for Development Studies (DIIS), Denmark. December 2003.

UNFPA. “Meeting the Challenges of Migration – Progress since the ICPD”, The International Migration Policy Programme 2004.

AGEING

Moncef Ghrib. "Demographic Trends and Global Development - Challenges for our generation", available at:

UNFPA. “Situation and Voices: The older poor and excluded in South Africa and India”, Population and Development Strategies Series, Number 2, 2002.

UNFPA. “Population Ageing and Development: Social, Health and Gender Issues.” Population and Development Strategies Series, Number 3, 2002.

UNFPA. “Population Ageing and Development: Operational Challenges in Developing Countries”, Population and Development Strategies Series, Number 5, 2002.

John Knodel and Chanpen Saengtienchai. “Rural Parents with Urban Children: Social and Economic Implication of Migration on the Rural Elderly in Thailand.” Research Report, Population Studies Center, University of Michigan, April 2005.

Amanda Heslop and Mark Gorman. “Chronic Poverty and Older People in the Developing World.” Working Paper No 10, Chronic Poverty Research Centre 2002.

Libor Stloukal. “Rural population ageing in poorer countries: possible implication for rural development.” Population Programme Service, FAO Women and Population Division, May 2001.

WATER

UNFPA. “Global Population and Water – Access and Sustainability”, 2003.

UN Millennium Project – Task Force on Water and Sanitation 2005. “Health, Dignity, and Development: What will it take?”

UNDP/GEF, “Lessons for the Future 2004: Protecting International Waters, Sustaining Livelihoods.”

OTHER

Roger W. Harris. "Information and Communication Technologies for Poverty Alleviation".
This primer describes how Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are being used to alleviate poverty. It addresses the so-called digital divide, which describes the stark disparities between the few people with abundant access to ICTs and the vast numbers of people without any access at all, and describes the efforts that are applied to overcome it.

Responses were received, with many thanks, from:

1. Moncef Ghrib, UNDP Algeria
2. Ali Salman, UNDP Bahrain
3. Astghik Mirzakhanyan, UNDP Armenia
4. Dumisani Magadlela, UNDP South Africa
5. Seheir Kansouh-Habib (message1, message 2, message 3), Government of Egypt
6. Lena Sinha, UN Foundation Affairs, UNDP/BRSP
7. Philip Dobie, UNDP Drylands Development Centre, Kenya
8. Noha El-Mikawy, UNDP/SURF-AS
9. Thein Zan, UNDP Myanmar
10. Adama Daou, UNDP Cape Verde
11. John Ohiorhenuan, UNDP/Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery
12. Michelle Rooney, UNDP, Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific
13. Palamanga Ouali, UNDP Mali
14. Ana Gaby Guerrero Serdan, UNDP Laos PDR
15. Michele Ribotta, UNDP Egypt
16. Shynar Imangaliyeva, UNDP Kazakhstan
17. Adib Nehmeh, UNDP SURF-AS
18. Daniel Mukoko Samba, UNDP Kinshasa - RDC
19. Bharati Silawal, UNDP/BDP
20. Anna Stjarnerklint, UNDP Albania
21. Edo Stork, ICT for Development Specialist, The Netherlands
22. Juan Pablo Corlazzoli, UNDP Guatemala
23. Rebecca Dodd, WHO
24. Sarah Murison, Capacity Development Group
25. Liliana De Riz, UNDP Argentina
26. Suraj Kumar, UNDP India
27. Barbara Piazza-Georgi, UN coordination advisor, Morocco
28. Dinora Azimova, UNDP Uzbekistan
29. Faatoia Malele (message 1, message 2), Samoa NHDR Project
30. Fred Mwathengere, UNDP Malawi
31. Serdar Bayriyev, UNDP Turkmenistan
32. Raissa Muhutdinova, UNDP Bangladesh
33. Djibrina Barry, UNDP Togo
34. Alexander Aboagye, UNDP Mozambique
35. Jean de Dieu Kayiranga, UNDP Rwanda
36. Asrat Tilahun, UNDP Ethiopia
37. Quazi Malek, UNDP Uganda
38. Philippe Rouzier, UNDP Haiti
39. Bjoern Rongevaer, SURF-AS Team
40. Dasa Silovic, UNDP/BDP/Poverty Reduction Group
41. Paula A. Mohamed, UNDP Barbados and the OECS
42. Rebeca Arias, UNDP Barbados and the OECS
43. Abdul Hannan, UNDP/ Operations Support Group
44. Kamal Malhotra, UNDP/BDP/SDG
45. Ali-Mohamed Sinane, UNDP Comoros
46. Ram Shankar, UNDP Nigeria
47. Luis Vargas Aybar, UNDP Peru
48. Bjoern Rongevaer, UNDP Lebanon
49. Richard Leete, UNDP Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam
50. Geoff Prewitt, UNDP/The Bratislava Regional Centre, Slovak Republic
51. Maharaj Muthoo (message 1, message 2), Roman Forum
52. Patrice Chiwota, UNDP/BDP/PRG
53. Vinetta Robinson, UNDP Ethiopia
54. Lara Blanco, UNDP Costa Rica
55. Seraphin Njagi, UNDP Kenya
56. Anuradha Rajivan, Asia Pacific HDR Initiative
57. Siaka Coulibaly, UNDP Cote d'Ivoire
58. Narine Sahakyan, UNDP Armenia
59. Tajeddine Badry, UNDP Morocco
60. William Pleitez, UNDP El Salvador
61. Shashikant Nair, UNDP Fiji
62. Toily Kurbanov, UNDP/BoM
63. Denise de Souza, UNDP Guyana
64. Keshab Bhattarai, Government of Nepal
65. Nicolas Kazadi, UNDP Guinea
66. Maria Rosa Renzi, UNDP Nicaragua
67. Ernest Salla, UNDP Tanzania
68. Beat Rohr, UNDP El Salvador
69. Luis Felipe Lopez Calva, NHDR Mexico
70. Cynthia Goytia, Universidad Torcuato Di Tella, Argentina
71. Ana Ines Mulleady, UNDP/BCPR
72. Anne Marie Cluckers, UNDP/BCPR
73. Ashraf El-Nour, UNDP/BCPR
74. Jennifer Worrell, UNDP/BCPR
75. Peter Batchelor, UNDP/BCPR
76. Eva Busza, UNDP/BCPR
77. Claire Umubyeyi, UNDP/BCPR
78. Ramaswamy Sudarshan, UNDP/Oslo Governance Center
79. Neil Buhne, UNDP Bulgaria
80. Rakesh Jani, UNDP Liberia
81. Joseph Pihi, UNDP Brazaville
82. George Kararach, Independent Developmetn Consultant
83. Ngila Mwase (message 1, message 2), UNDP Mozambique
84. Mandisa Mashologu, UNDP Lesotho
85. Aida Robbana, UNDP Tunesia
86. Sennye Obuseng, UNDP Botswana
87. Abdou Kolley, UNDP The Gambia
88. Sebastian Levine, UNDP Namibia
89. Flavia Pansieri, UNDP Yemen
90. Marcellin Ndong Ntah, UNDP Cameroon
91. Harouna Pedragogo, UNDP Burkina Faso
92. Adama Toe, UNDP Chad
93. Matthew Martin, Debt Relief International
94. Mohamed Ali Ould Merabott
95. Karounga Keita, UNDP Mali
96. Salah Hizam, HD Unit, Oman
97. Malithapelo Mosuoe, UNDP Lesotho
98. Paola Pagliani, UNDP Serbia and Montenegro
99. Maxime Mbringa-Takama, UNDP Central African Republic
100. Uyanga Gankhuyag, UNDP Mongolia
101. Shirley Randell, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Bangladesh
102. Michel Ahohounkpanzon, UNDP Bénin
103. Mutar Ahmed Abdullah Juma, UNDP United Arab Emirates
104. Anuradha Saxena, UNDP India
105. Yu Gao, UNDP China
106. Moeketsi Phalatsi, UNDP Lesotho
107. Gwynneth Wong, UNDP Lesotho
108. Khalil Tian Shahyd, Brandeis University

REPONSE CONSOLIDEE
Discussion: Identifier un theme pour le Rapport mondial sur le developpement humain
Affiché conjointement sur les HDRNet et RRNet

Préparée par Kevin Watkins, Cecilia Ugaz, Sharmila Kurukulasuriya et Hanna Schmitt
14 Juillet 2005

Table des Matières

• Message initial
• Résumé des réponses
• Ressources
• Liste de contributeurs
• Réponses complètes

Message Initial

Chers Collègues,

Il est temps pour nous de commencer à penser au thème du Rapport mondial sur le développement humain (HDR) de l’an prochain! A cette fin, le Bureau du Rapport mondial sur le développement humain (HDRO) souhaiterait de nouveau faire appel à la communauté de praticiens émérites du développement humain pour l’aider à refléter la contribution que le HDR 2006 devrait idéalement apporter en nourrissant les débats concernant le développement, en construisant des partenariats et des alliances stratégiques et en favorisant le changement de politiques. Les discussions de réseaux que nous avons tenues dans le passé concernant le thème et la note de concept du HDR 2005 (discussions qui ont bénéficié de plus de 100 contributions) ont été essentielles pour nos processus préparatoires, en permettant notamment d’identifier les principales questions pertinentes pour ce qui est de Refaçonner la coopération internationale : aide, commerce et sécurité dans un monde inéquitable.

Nous avons eu quelques échanges de vues initiaux concernant nos quatre thèmes potentiels, échanges qui ont été compilés ci-dessous. Nous souhaiterions encourager les collègues du réseau à réfléchir aux critères suivants quand ils évalueront les thèmes nouveaux et formuleront des suggestions sur ceux-ci :

1) S’agit-il d’une question centrale en matière de développement humain ?

2) Avons-nous quelque chose de particulier à offrir par l’intermédiaire du cadre du développement humain ?

3) Est-ce un domaine où nous pouvons avoir un réel impact pour ce qui est de mettre en question les politiques existantes et d’en identifier de nouvelles ?

Nous souhaitons en outre nouer un lien plus étroit entre les travaux du Rapport mondial sur le développement humain et ceux qui sont entrepris par les HRD nationaux, de manière à pouvoir traiter les questions concernées de manière exhaustive en nourrissant nos travaux mutuels, que ce soit grâce à un partage accru des connaissances entre les auteurs, aux études de cas au niveau des pays ou encore à l’utilisation créative des statistiques concernant le développement humain en vue d’évaluer les progrès réalisés.

Veuillez ne pas considérer les thèmes ci-dessous comme des suggestions. Vous avez toute liberté de proposer les thèmes additionnels que vous considérerez comme assez pertinents pour être traités par le HDR 2006. En plus d’échanger des idées par l’intermédiaire du réseau, nous vous invitons à voter sur les thèmes qui vous apparaissent comme les plus pertinents par le biais de cette rapide enquête en ligne (http://hdr.undp.org/xxx).
Notre souhait étant de progresser rapidement dans notre travail sur l’élaboration des thèmes du rapport de l’an prochain, nous vous serions très reconnaissants de bien vouloir adresser vos contributions d’ici au 4 avril prochain.

C’est avec impatience que nous attendons cette vivante discussion !
Meilleures salutations.

Kevin

Kevin Watkins
Directeur
Bureau du Rapport mondial sur le développement humain
PNUD New York

Thèmes possibles pour le Rapport mondial sur le développement humain 2006

1. Migration

Le nombre de migrants est monté en flèche ces toutes dernières années dans l’ensemble du monde en développement. La migration est un phénomène complexe qui survient dans différents contextes spatiaux et temporels. La migration peut avoir lieu de pays à faibles revenus vers des pays à hauts revenus, de pays à faibles revenus vers d’autres pays à faibles revenus et à l’intérieur même des pays. La migration constitue souvent pour les pauvres et les non-pauvres une stratégie essentielle pour diversifier leurs revenus et moyens de subsistance. Ce phénomène engendre toute une série de problèmes tant sur le lieu d’origine des migrants que sur celui de leur destination. Trois initiatives récentes des Nations Unies se focalisant sur la migration internationale – la création d’une Commission mondiale indépendante sur la migration internationale ; la décision prise par la Deuxième Commission de l’Assemblée générale des Nations Unies de consacrer en 2006 le dialogue de haut-niveau de l’Assemblée générale à la question de la migration internationale et du développement ; et la création du Groupe de migration de Genève par l’Organisation internationale pour les migrations – montrent bien l’envergure du défi posé. Toutefois, la migration ayant lieu à l’intérieur même d’un pays apparaît comme une préoccupation particulièrement urgente, la migration internationale, plus coûteuse, pouvant être hors de portée des plus pauvres et des plus démunis. Un rapport sur la migration se concentrerait sur les opportunités et les défis que peut engendrer la migration pour ce qui concerne la constitution des capacités des migrants. Le rapport tenterait de développer une compréhension des raisons – qu’elles soient matérielles ou non matérielles – qui poussent les gens à migrer. Le rapport ferait la distinction entre migration « volontaire » - expression de la liberté fondamentale laissée à chacun de choisir où il veut vivre et d’améliorer ses conditions de vie -, et migration « involontaire » - phénomène qui n’est plus associé à une stratégie de diversification des moyens de subsistance mais à une stratégie de dernier recours susceptible d’aggraver la pauvreté et la vulnérabilité. Certains cas de migrations des populations à l’intérieur de la Chine, de la population des Roms, de groupes de bergers, etc., seraient examinés. Le rapport se pencherait également sur les effets de la migration sur les non-migrants (à savoir, le fardeau parental de plus en plus lourd imposé à ceux qui sont laissés sur place, la dépendance par rapport aux transferts d’argent, le sentiment d’insécurité grandissant qui frappe le marché du travail en raison de l’entrée de travailleurs employés à moindres coûts salariaux, etc.). Le HDR 2006 tenterait de faire le lien avec les initiatives lancées par les Nations Unies et décrites ci-avant, en vue de développer une approche plus globale pour traiter de ce phénomène si complexe, du point de vue du développement humain.

2. Vieillissement de la population

La population des pays en développement vieillit rapidement. Depuis le début des années 80, la majorité des personnes âgées de la planète (personnes âgées de 60 ans ou plus) vivent dans le Sud. D’ici à 2015, 62 pays en développement verront leur population de personnes âgées augmenter de plus de la moitié. Certains de ces pays en développement sont en voie de réaliser les Objectifs du Millénaire pour le développement (MDG). D’autres peuvent échouer. Le vieillissement de la population n’est explicitement traité par aucun des MDG. Toutefois, selon les travaux que le PNUD a réalisés en évaluant les progrès réalisés vers la réalisation des MDG, l’incapacité à améliorer les conditions de vie des personnes âgées est susceptible de ralentir le processus de réalisation de ces objectifs. En outre, les MDG seront difficiles à atteindre si les personnes âgées ne participent pas pleinement aux programmes d’atténuation de la pauvreté. Un rapport sur le vieillissement de la population tenterait de répertorier les différentes conditions de vie des personnes âgées et de souligner la contribution substantielle de ces derniers à la sphère productive, tant directement que par le biais de leur contribution à l’économie des soins de santé. Le rapport permettrait de promouvoir une meilleure compréhension des capacités des personnes âgées, et aiderait à identifier les facteurs structurels qui brident ces capacités en empêchant les personnes âgées de contribuer au processus de développement et de vivre à leur plein potentiel. Le rapport examinerait par exemple l’impact du VIH/Sida sur les populations âgées d’Afrique ainsi que le défi que constitue la fourniture d’une assurance sociale aux personnes âgées tant dans les pays pauvres que dans les pays riches.

3. Prévention des crises de pénurie d’eau

La diminution quantitative et qualitative des ressources d’eau douce est en passe de devenir un problème essentiel dans l’ordre du jour du développement. Une crise au niveau de la disponibilité de l’eau douce est en train d’éclater dans les pays où les ressources existantes sont insuffisantes pour répondre aux besoins présents. Selon le PNUE, 450 millions de personnes dans 29 pays différents souffrent actuellement de pénuries d’eau. On estime que d’ici à 2025, deux personnes sur trois vivront dans des zones qui connaîtront une tension au niveau de la disponibilité de l’eau – des zones où la consommation d’eau dépasse de 10% les ressources en eau douce renouvelables. La demande d’eau est en constante augmentation en raison de la croissance de la population mais également à cause de l’augmentation des besoins due à l’irrigation et l’industrialisation. Pour l’Afrique et l’Asie de l’Ouest, le problème se pose de manière particulièrement aiguë en raison des chutes de pluie incertaines et des hauts niveaux d’utilisation d’eau. On a déjà établi que le manque d’eau est une entrave majeure à la croissance industrielle et socio-économique en Chine, en Inde et en Indonésie, entre autres pays. La pénurie d’eau est principalement due à la mauvaise gestion des ressources en eau. Les ressources en eau douce sont réparties de manière inégale. La plus grande partie des ressources en eau sont situées loin des zones à forte densité de population. En outre, les rivières, les lacs et les ruisseaux souterrains traversent les frontières nationales et peuvent être partagés par plusieurs pays. Ainsi l’accès à l’eau dépendra-t-il de manière croissante non seulement des politiques nationales, mais aussi des accords internationaux passés entre les Etats. Afin de comprendre la situation actuelle en ce qui concerne l’accès à l’eau par différents segments de la population (pauvres et non-pauvres) ou la distribution de l’eau entre des utilisations alternatives – industrie, agriculture, etc. -, il est nécessaire de placer l’eau dans un contexte plus large de flux économiques et de pouvoir politique et social associé. Dans ce contexte, les considérations de pouvoir prennent le pas sur l’équité et l’efficacité de la distribution des ressources en eau, les communautés et les individus pauvres ayant en général un problème plus important pour affirmer leurs droits à accéder à l’eau. Un HDR se pencherait sur les conséquences du manque de disponibilité de l’eau douce sur le développement humain et la menace que cette pénurie constitue pour l’existence de ces populations. Le rapport examinerait la manière dont la distribution de l’eau peut répondre aux besoins des plus vulnérables, et de quelle manière gérer les ressources en eau en vue de renforcer la durabilité environnementale tout en assurant le droit des pauvres à accéder à l’eau. Enfin, le rapport se pencherait sur le rôle de la coopération internationale pour ce qui est d’éviter les conflits concernant le partage des ressources d’eau.

4. Accès aux services de base : santé, éducation, eau et assainissement

L’accès aux services de base est au cœur des MDG. L’accès à une santé, une éducation, une eau et un assainissement de qualité est la base-même du développement humain. Au cours des dernières décennies, on a assisté à une augmentation régulière du nombre de personnes ayant accès aux services de base dans le monde en développement. Néanmoins, les progrès ne semblent pas suffisants pour atteindre une portée universelle. Différents modèles de fourniture des services de base ont été essayés en vue d’augmenter la couverture de la population. Ce modèle est passé d’un système dirigé par l’Etat, dans lequel l’Etat était le fondateur et le fournisseur des services, à un système davantage « basé sur le marché », dans lequel les sociétés privées et à but lucratif et les organisations non-lucratives sont autorisées à entrer dans le domaine de la fourniture de ce genre de services précédemment réservée à la sphère étatique. Après quelques années d’expérimentation qui ont vu s’ouvrir les mécanismes du marché et ont vu la création de véritables marchés, les résultats demeurent décevants. On peut toujours observer qu’une part relativement importante de la population des pays en développement (les pauvres, en particulier), n’ont pas un accès suffisant aux services de base, accès qui constitue pourtant un droit vital à leur survie et au développement de leurs capacités de base. Un rapport sur le sujet se pencherait sur les différentes hypothèses concernant les mécanismes de marché et les mécanismes étatiques s’agissant de la fourniture de tels services. Il se focaliserait sur la question d’une fourniture de services qui permette d’atteindre les groupes exclus ou marginalisés ou les populations vivant dans des environnement particulièrement difficiles telles que les régions en proie à des conflits ou situées dans des zones géographiques inaccessibles.

Résumé des réponses

Chers collègues,

Permettez-moi d’emblée de souligner à quel point les contributions reçues sur le réseau du Rapport mondial sur le développement humain (HDR-net) et le réseau de Représentants résidents (RR-net) ont été utiles pour orienter nos discussions sur le thème du Rapport mondial sur le développement humain (HDR) 2006. Notre équipe apprécie en particulier les réflexions détaillées que cette discussion a suscité parmi nos collègues de par le monde, qu’ils fassent partie ou non des réseaux. Outre le fait que 100 membres ont pris part à ce vivant échange d’idées, nous avons reçu 994 réponses à l’enquête de notre HDR-net sur une sélection de thèmes !

Les prochaines semaines seront consacrées à des consultations supplémentaires, et nous annoncerons le thème choisi sur le réseau dès qu’il aura été décidé. Nous avons mis l’accent dans les paragraphes qui suivent sur certains des principaux points et expériences des pays qui ont été échangés au cours de la discussion.

ACCES AUX SERVICES DE BASE: SANTE, EDUCATION, EAU ET EQUIPEMENTS SANITAIRES

Le thème de l’accès aux services de base a suscité un large appui parmi les membres du réseau, notamment dans l’enquête du HDR-net. Il a été noté qu’il est essentiel d’améliorer l’accès aux services de base pour réduire la pauvreté humaine et réaliser les objectifs du Millénaire pour le développement (OMD). Un rapport sur le développement humain consacré à ce thème aurait de nombreuses implications politiques importantes à mesure que nous approchons de 2015 et founirait aux décisionnaires des options politiques pour la réalisation des OMD.

Le rapport pourrait analyser les forces, contraintes, succès et échecs des différents mécanismes d’intervention et de coopération des acteurs nationaux et internationaux du développement dans ce domaine, et fournir des recommandations de remplacement pour redéfinir les politiques et stratégies en vue d’améliorer l’accès aux services de base.

Il a été suggéré que « l’accès à l’information et à la communication » soit inclus parmi les services de base, en tant que domaine vital pour les communautés des régions particulièrement sous-développées ou isolées. Les membres du réseau ont souligné que ce thème devrait également faire le lien avec d’autres questions telles que la migration, les crises hydriques et les crises/conflits.

Certains intervenants ont toutefois souligné que ce thème pourrait se révéler trop divers pour se prêter au style incisif du HDR, et qu’un rapport sur l’accès aux services de base pourrait aboutir à une simple resucée des options politiques déjà traitées dans les discussions sur le développement humain.

Le PNUD d’Haïti est en train d’examiner la possibilité de sélectionner la question de l’accès aux services de base comme thème de son prochain HDR de 2006. De nombreux Haïtiens se voient toujours dénier aujourd’hui l’accès à certains domaines comme l’éducation, l’emploi et la santé, ainsi qu’à des biens collectifs tels que l’électricité, l’eau, etc.

Le prochain HDR de Namibie, consacré au thème « Jeunes et développement humain », identifie l’accès aux services de base - notamment dans les domaines de la santé et de l’éducation - comme l’un principaux défis à relever en vue d’offrir plus de liberté et d’opportunités aux jeunes. Pour ce pays à revenu moyen caractérisé par des niveaux structurels d’inégalité très marqués, priorité est donnée à la qualité aussi bien qu’à l’accès aux services de base.

PREVENTION DES CRISES DE PENURIE D'EAU

Il a été considéré par certains qu’il serait opportun de choisir le thème très important de la prévention d’une crise hydrique. Le manque d’accès à l’eau potable et aux équipements d’assainissement appropriés peut conduire à une catastrophe en termes humanitaire et de développement. L’incapacité, au niveau mondial, de gérer l’eau de manière efficace entrave les efforts visant à réduire la pauvreté et menace les progrès réalisés en matière de développement humain. Dans les pays en développement, plus de 1,1 milliard de personnes ne bénéficient pas de l’accès à l’eau potable et plus de 2,3 milliards n’ont pas accès aux équipements d’assainissement appropriés, carences qui entraînent 2 millions de décès chaque année. 80% de l’ensemble des maladies sont liées à l’eau, la moitié de la population étant touchée par des maladies liées à l’eau. La rareté de l’eau peut en outre être cause de conflits potentiels.

Placer la question de la prévention d’une crise hydrique dans le cadre du développement humain aiderait à améliorer les mécanismes nationaux et locaux de gestion des ressources en eau et contribuerait à élaborer des options politiques en faveur du développement durable. Certains membres des réseaux ont toutefois exprimé leur inquiétude devant le fait que la Décennie internationale de l’eau ayant été lancée en 2005 et que de nombreux débats ayant déjà lieu à cette occasion, cette question pourrait ne pas apparaître comme « nouvelle » pour le HDR 2006.

Les membres du réseau ont évoqué l’exemple des Etats arabes, région du monde considérée comme l’une des plus sujettes au manque d’eau. La part des ressources renouvelables en eau par habitant est actuellement inférieure à 500 mètres cubes par an dans quelque 70% des pays arabes (contre une moyenne mondiale de 7.500 mètres cubes). Plus de 65% des ressources renouvelables en eau traversent les frontières et trouvent leur origine à l’extérieur de la région. Dans les Etats arabes, quelque 50 millions de personnes n’ont pas accès à l’eau potable et environ 80 millions de personnes n’ont pas accès aux équipements d’assainissement appropriés. La région connaît en outre d’intenses sécheresses récurrentes qui augmentent la vulnérabilité des communautés les plus pauvres, lesquelles dépendent principalement des ressources naturelles pour assurer leurs moyens d’existence.

Au Kazakhstan, le HDR 2004 a été consacré au thème de l’eau en tant que ressource clé pour la réalisation du développement humain. Les populations les plus vulnérables sont les pauvres qui continueront d’être victimes des maladies causées par la médiocre qualité de l’eau. De plus, 55% des besoins nationaux en eau étant satisfaits par des rivières traversant le Kazakhstan et les nations voisines, la question de l’accès à l’eau peut non seulement influer sur la sécurité interne des pays mais aussi sur le développement humain général en Asie centrale, en Chine et en Russie.

MIGRATION

Selon les membres du réseau, il serait extrêmement intéressant de traiter de la question de la migration d’un point de vue mondial. Ceux-ci ont souligné que les conditions économiques, sociales, politiques et culturelles déterminent les différents types de migration (volontaire ou involontaire), qui ont tous un impact significatif sur le développement humain. La plus grande partie du travail analytique réalisé sur la migration se concentre sur ses conséquences économiques. La prise en compte d’une dimension de développement humain clairement articulée, englobant les questions des droits de l’homme, de la sécurité humaine, de la gouvernance, de la parité hommes-femmes, de la culture et de la diversité, de l’emploi et des moyens d’existence, entre autres, fait toujours défaut. Les membres du réseau ont souligné par ailleurs qu’étant donnée la persistance des inégalités au niveau mondial, le thème de la migration viendrait à point nommé et qu’un tel HDR donnerait l’occasion d’apporter une contribution substantielle aux débats mondiaux actuels sur cette question.

Un HDR sur la migration pourrait en outre avoir un impact pour ce qui est de remettre en question les politiques existantes et d’identifier de nouvelles politiques de remplacement. Bien que le lien entre la migration et le développement soit de plus en plus reconnu, la migration n’a toujours pas été systématiquement intégrée dans les ordres du jour nationaux en matière de développement ni dans les stratégies d’aide internationales.

Plusieurs contributions ont souligné les liens existants entre la migration et les autres thèmes proposés. Les membres du réseau ont fourni des exemples sur la manière dont la migration croissante que connaissent certains pays a permis de régler les questions du faible taux de natalité et du vieillissement de la population. En outre, nombre d’initiatives et de manifestations concernant la migration sont actuellement en cours, telles que la Commission mondiale sur les migrations internationales, et il conviendrait de s’assurer que ces travaux prennent en compte ces initiatives.

Les membres du réseau ont cité les exemples d’un certain nombre de pays.
Au Nigeria, on assiste à un afflux croissant de personnes venant de l’intérieur du Nigeria et de pays voisins vers Lagos. Cette tendance peut expliquer certains des problèmes auxquels doit faire face la population de Lagos, tels que la croissance du taux de criminalité, la détérioration des conditions de vie, l’augmentation du taux de prolifération du VIH/Sida et l’encombrement des services sociaux. De même, en République centrafricaine, les jeunes en particulier abandonnent massivement leurs villages chaque année. Il apparaît que la mobilité des jeunes gens influe directement sur la propagation du VIH/Sida, dont le taux de prolifération a dépassé les 25% dans certaines régions rurales. La migration interne est une raison intrinsèque de la rapide transition de la Chine vers une économie de marché. Lorsque les revenus ruraux ont commencé à s’élever, les fermiers ont commencé à rechercher des sources de revenus alternatives. A la fin des années 90, les villes de Chine ont attiré près de 100 millions de migrants ruraux, dont la plupart étaient des travailleurs à court terme plutôt que des personnes venant s’installer durablement.

Les membres du réseau ont discuté de l’impact différentiel de la migration en fonction des sexes. Au Népal par exemple, les taux de chômage élevés associés à la demande de travail féminin dans le secteur des services ont conduit un nombre croissant de femmes à chercher un emploi ailleurs. Confrontées à une absence d’appui institutionnel, les femmes sont souvent victimes des trafiquants qui ne manquent pas de s’engouffrer dans la brèche laissée au niveau des structures juridiques et sociales. Une enquête menée dans l’Etat du Rajasthan en Inde indique que les foyers d’émigrants ne font que peu confiance aux systèmes gouvernementaux d’aide à l’emploi.

Les membres du réseau ont discuté de l’impact potentiellement négatif de la migration pour le pays d’origine, en particulier pour les Etats les plus pauvres. Dans un certain nombre de Petits Etats insulaires en développement (PEID) caractérisés par un haut niveau de migration vers les pays de l’OCDE, par exemple, cette migration a eu un impact direct sur les initiatives de constitution des capacités menées par le PNUD et sape potentiellement les contributions et les résultats du PNUD dans tous les secteurs du développement.

Au Nicaragua et dans la région de l’Amérique centrale en général, les familles sont de plus en plus dépendantes des envois de fonds des membres de la famille. Les envois de fonds permettent aux pauvres d’échapper au dénuement et contribuent aussi à rectifier les déficits de la balance des paiements. En El Salvador, où plus de 25% de la population vit à l’étranger, les envois de fonds sont estimés à environ 17% du PIB. Des efforts visant à faire revenir la diaspora dans son pays d’origine ont également été tentés. De plus en plus, les diasporas de l’Inde et de la Chine sont par exemple attirés vers leur pays d’origine, leurs économies florissantes, la fiabilité de leurs environnements pour l’investissement et la stabilité de leurs systèmes économiques et de régulation constituant des arguments séduisants pour un retour à long terme dans leurs pays natal.

VIEILLISSEMENT DE LA POPULATION

Les membres du réseau ont estimé que le phénomène du vieillissement de la population avait un impact significatif au niveau du développement humain. Il est important d’examiner les causes du vieillissement rapide des populations, telles que l’amélioration des services de santé, des conditions de vie, la réduction de la fécondité ainsi que le renforcement des systèmes de protection sociale. Les membres du réseau ont de plus noté que ce problème touche de la même manière les pays développés et en développement. Les personnes âgées se retrouvent souvent dans des situations particulièrement vulnérables face aux phénomènes suivants : discrimination sociale, économique et politique ; insécurité au niveau du revenu et de l’emploi ; santé médiocre; absence de domicile fixe ; manque de soins et de protection, etc. Ces vulnérabilités s’ajoutent souvent à l’absence de filets de protection minimaux, indispensables à la réalisation des OMD. Outre un examen des causes et vulnérabilités des personnes âgées, l’analyse devrait traiter des questions concernant les divers systèmes de retraite.

Les membres du réseau ont donné un certain nombre d’exemples sur la manière dont le changement des structures démographiques impacte différents pays et régions. De nombreux pays parmi les Etats arabes, par exemple, semblent toujours en situation d’élargir leurs populations – via les couches les plus jeunes -, tout en connaissant de faibles taux de croissance économique. Cette tendance fait que les citoyens les plus âgés bénéficient de faibles niveaux de protection sociale.

En Bulgarie, une crise démographique est imminente. Une part croissante de la population vieillit en raison de faible taux de natalité, de la migration des jeunes et d’une espérance de vie plus importante. Au Kazakhstan, où les personnes de plus de 65 ans représentent 6,7% de la population totale, le vieillissement de la population a des conséquences significatives sur l’aide sociale, l’éducation, les soins de santé ainsi que l’investissement, l’emploi, la consommation et les modèles d’épargne.
Les membres du réseau ont souligné que la migration et le vieillissement de la population sont souvent étroitement liés entre eux. Dans de nombreux pays, les taux de natalité décroissants sont compensés par un afflux croissant de migrants. Au Japon, au cours de la période allant de 1985 à 1995, le nombre d’immigrés a augmenté de 60%.

Outre les thèmes discutés ci-dessus, un certain nombre de thèmes alternatifs très intéressants et méritant d’être examinés attentivement ont été présentés tout au long de la discussion, entre autres :

Etat de droit et développement humain
Comme il a été noté dans le Rapport du Secrétaire général, « Dans une liberté plus grande : développement, sécurité et respect des droits de l’homme pour tous », l‘Etat de droit est fondamental pour assurer la justice, la paix et la sécurité. Il est également essentiel pour que les efforts déployés par tous les pays puissent garantir un environnement propice au développement humain.

Emploi et moyens d’existence dans une ère de mondialisation
La plus grande partie de la sagesse classique concernant l’emploi a été remise en question en raison de la montée en flèche des taux de chômage dans beaucoup de pays en développement qui ne paraissent pas répondre à des stimuli conventionnels. Les questions tournant autour de l’emploi ont été intégrées dans les HDR passés mais n’ont pas été traités directement en tant que thème spécifique.

Les risques de catastrophes sous l’angle du développement humain
La question des « risques de catastrophes et développement humain » a elle aussi suscité un vif intérêt. Il a été noté que les catastrophes peuvent anéantir instantanément des années d’efforts de développement et constituent une menace significative pour ce qui est des perspectives de réalisation des OMD. Le Rapport mondial sur le développement humain pourrait aider la communauté du développement à concentrer son attention sur l’adoption de cadres d’action mondiaux, régionaux et nationaux, qui appelleraient les responsables politiques à mettre le risque de catastrophes au cœur de leurs ordres du jour politiques.

Se libérer de la faim
L’action de la communauté internationale pour ce qui est d’apporter un appui adéquat dans ce domaine se heurtant à certaines limites, des politiques nationales favorisant l’accès aux besoins nutritionnels de base doivent être effectivement élaborées et mises en œuvre dans les pays touchés par la faim. Le HDR pourrait prendre l’initiative en traitant de la question de la nutrition appropriée en tant que besoin de base auquel il convient de répondre. Il a également été suggéré de refléter cette question dans l’Indicateur de développement humain.

Résultats des votes du HDR-Net (nombre of réponses = 994)

Parmi les autres suggestions :
Changement climatique ; Accès aux services financiers ; Maintien et utilisation des capacités ; Prévention des crises et relèvement ; Environnement ; Politique de parité hommes-femmes ; Corruption ; Gouvernance démocratique ; Risques de catastrophes ; Droits économiques, sociaux et culturels ; Education ; Emploi ; Energie ; Se libérer de la faim ; Repenser la sécurité ; Etat de droit et développement humain ; Développement rural ; Droits économiques, sociaux et culturels ; VIH/Sida ; Exclusion sociale ; ONU et processus de paix ; et Jeunes.

 Permettez-moi de vous remercier une nouvelle fois des contributions que vous avez faites sur le réseau. Je souhaiterais réitérer combien ces discussions de réseau sont importantes pour le processus mondial du HDR. Nous continuerons à dépendre de votre appui au fur et à mesure que nous élaborons ces idées pour le prochain HDR 2006. Nous resterons également en contact avec vous concernant le lancement du HDR 2005 en Septembre, la coopération internationale à un carrefour : aide, commerce et sécurité dans un monde inéquitable.

Meilleures salutations.

Kevin

Kevin Watkins
Directeur
Bureau du Rapport mondial sur le développement humain
PNUD New York

RESPUESTA CONSOLIDADA
DISCUSION: Identificar un tema para el IDH mundial 2006
Anunciado en HDRNet y RRNet

Preparado por Kevin Watkins, Cecilia Ugaz, Sharmila Kurukulasuriya y Hanna Schmitt
14 de Julio, 2005

Tabla de Materias

• Mensaje Original
• Sumario de Respuestas
• Recursos
• Lista de contribuidores
• Respuestas completas

Mensaje Original:

Estimados colegas,

Ha llegado el momento de empezar a pensar en el tema del Informe de Desarrollo Humano (IDH) mundial para el año próximo. Y en tal oportunidad, la Oficina del Informe de Desarrollo Humano desearía recurrir una vez más a esta talentosa comunidad de profesionales del desarrollo humano para que nos ayuden a reflexionar sobre cuál sería la contribución ideal del IDH 2006 en vistas a informar los debates sobre el desarrollo, construir asociaciones y alianzas estratégicas, y cambiar las políticas existentes. Los anteriores intercambios en la red sobre el tema y concepto del IDH 2005 (a las que se aportaron más de 100 contribuciones) fueron de crítica importancia para nuestro proceso preparatorio, en particular en lo concerniente a la identificación de cuestiones pertinentes que resultaron cruciales en la gestación del informe Reestructurando la cooperación internacional: ayuda, comercio y seguridad en un mundo desigual.

Ya hemos empezado a recopilar ideas sobre cuatro temas posibles, que se resumen a continuación. Quisiéramos animar a nuestros colegas en la red a que tomen en cuenta los siguientes criterios cuando consideren y ofrezcan sugestiones sobre nuevos temas:

1. ¿Es ésta una cuestión básica de desarrollo humano?

2. ¿Tenemos algo distintivo que ofrecer en el marco del desarrollo humano?

3. ¿Es ésta una área en la podemos hacer la diferencia, en términos de cuestionar las políticas existentes e identificar nuevas políticas?

También nos interesa establecer un vínculo mucho más estrecho entre las labores realizadas para el IDH mundial y para los IDHs nacionales, de forma que podamos desarrollar sinergias entre el trabajo de unos y otros, ya sea mediante un mayor intercambio de conocimientos entre autores, los estudios de caso a nivel de país, o la aplicación creativa de las estadísticas de desarrollo humano para evaluar el progreso realizado.

Por favor, consideren los temas que se enumeran a continuación solamente como sugestiones, y no duden en proponer otros temas que, en su opinión, sean cuestiones relevantes dignas de ser tratadas por el IDH mundial 2006. Además de intercambiar ideas a través de la red, les invitamos a votar por los temas que les parezcan más pertinentes por medio de esta encuesta rápida en el recuadro.

Tenemos mucho interés en empezar rápidamente a desarrollar el tema para el informe del año próximo, por lo que les agradeceremos que nos envíen sus ideas antes del 4 de abril.

Anticipamos una animada discusión con todos ustedes.

Un cordial saludo,

Kevin

Kevin Watkins
Director,
Human Development Report Office
UNDP New York

1. Migración

En los últimos años, el número de migrantes ha aumentado vertiginosamente en todo el mundo desarrollado. La migración es un fenómeno complejo, que ocurre en diversas circunstancias espaciales y temporales. La migración fluye de países de bajos ingresos a países de altos ingresos, de países de bajos ingresos a otros países de bajos ingresos, y dentro de un mismo país. La migración frecuentemente representa una importante estrategia para los pobres y los no pobres a fin de diversificar sus ingresos y sus medios de ganarse la vida, pero provoca una serie de inquietudes tanto en el punto de origen como en el lugar de destino de los migrantes. Tres iniciativas recientes de la ONU relacionadas con la migración internacional – el establecimiento de una Comisión Mundial independiente sobre la Migración Internacional, la decisión tomada por el Segundo Comité de la Asamblea General de la ONU en el sentido de que en 2006 el diálogo a alto nivel de la Asamblea General se consagrará a la migración internacional y el desarrollo; y el establecimiento del Grupo de Ginebra sobre Migración por parte de la Organización Internacional sobre Migración – ponen de manifiesto la importancia de este problema. Sin embargo, la migración en el interior de un país es una preocupación urgente, ya que la migración internacional, más costosa, está posiblemente fuera del alcance de las personas más pobres y más necesitadas. Un informe sobre la migración trataría principalmente sobre las oportunidades y los retos que puede representar la migración en lo que respecta a la adquisición de capacidades por parte de los migrantes. El informe intentará desarrollar la comprensión de los motivos – materiales y no materiales – que impulsan a la gente a emigrar. El informe hará una distinción entre la migración ‘voluntaria,’ considerada como la expresión de una libertad fundamental de la persona para escoger dónde quiere vivir y para mejorar sus condiciones de vida, y la migración ‘involuntaria,’ – no asociada con una estrategia de diversificación de los medios de subsistencia sino con una estrategia de último recurso – que puede exacerbar la pobreza y la vulnerabilidad. Se examinarían casos como los de las poblaciones que están migrando en el interior de China, el pueblo Roma, los grupos pastoralistas, etc. El informe también estudiaría los efectos de la migración sobre los no migrantes (p.ej. la mayor carga de responsabilidad parental asumida por los no migrantes, la dependencia en las remesas de fondos, el creciente sentimiento de inseguridad en el mercado laboral debido al influjo de trabajadores dispuestos a aceptar bajos salarios, etc.). El IDH 2006 intentaría conectar con las iniciativas de la ONU anteriormente mencionadas a fin de desarrollar un planteamiento más amplio de estos complejos fenómenos desde la perspectiva del desarrollo humano.

2. Envejecimiento

La población de los países desarrollados está envejeciendo rápidamente. Desde principios de la década de los 80s, la mayoría de los ancianos del mundo (de 60 años de edad o más) viven en el Sur. Pero en el año 2015, la población de ancianos de 62 países en vias de desarrollo habrá aumentado en más del cincuenta por ciento. Algunos de esos países en desarrollo van por el buen camino para alcanzar las Metas del Milenio, pero otros países posiblemente fracasen. El envejecimiento es un tema que no está expresamente tratado en ninguna de las Metas del Milenio, pero el PNUD, en el curso de su evaluación del progreso realizado para alcanzar esas metas, descubrió que el proceso puede frenarse si no se mejoran las condiciones de vida de los ancianos. Por otra parte, será difícil alcanzar las Metas del Milenio si los ancianos no participan plenamente en los programas de remediación de la pobreza. Un informe sobre el envejecimiento intentaría describir las diversas circunstancias en que viven los ancianos, y poner de manifiesto sus importantes contribuciones a la esfera productiva, bien directamente o bien mediante su contribución a la economía de servicios. El informe desarrollaría una mayor comprensión de las capacidades de los ancianos, y ayudaría a identificar los factores estructurales que limitan esas capacidades y que impiden que los ancianos contribuyan al proceso de desarrollo y desplieguen todo su potencial. El informe consideraría, por ejemplo, el impacto del VIH/SIDA sobre las poblaciones de ancianos en África y el problema de proveer un seguro social para los ancianos tanto en países ricos como pobres.

3. Evitar la crisis del agua

La decreciente cantidad y calidad de los recursos de agua potable se está convirtiendo en una preocupación de primera línea en la agenda del desarrollo. Una crisis respecto a la disponibilidad de agua potable se está fraguando en países en los que los recursos existentes no pueden satisfacer las necesidades actuales. Según el PNUMA, 450 millones de personas en 29 países sufren en la actualidad penuria de agua. Se calcula que en el año 2025 dos de cada tres personas vivirán en zonas donde escaseará el agua – zonas donde el consumo de agua excederá el 10 por ciento de los recursos renovables de agua potable. La demanda aumenta debido al crecimiento de la población, pero también debido a las crecientes necesidades derivadas de la irrigación y la industrialización. África y el Oeste de Asia se enfrentan al problema más agudo, ya que dependen de un régimen de lluvias poco fiable y tienen altos niveles de utilización hídrica. Se considera que la falta de agua está limitando el crecimiento industrial y socio-económico de China, India e Indonesia, entre otros países. La crisis del agua es debida principalmente a la gestión de los recursos hídricos. Los recursos de agua potable están distribuídos de manera desigual. Muchos de ellos se encuentran lejos de las zonas de alta densidad poblacional. Por otra parte, los ríos, lagos y acuíferos subterráneos transcienden las fronteras nacionales y pueden ser compartidos por varios países. Es por ello que el acceso al agua dependerá cada vez más no sólo de las políticas nacionales sino también de los convenios internacionales entre naciones-estados. Para comprender en qué situación se encuentran actualmente diferentes segmentos poblacionales (pobres y no pobres) con respecto al acceso al agua, o para estudiar cómo se distribuye el agua entre usos alternativos – industria, agricultura, etc. – es necesario situar al agua en un contexto más amplio de flujos económicos, a los que se asocia el poder político y social. En este contexto, el poder tiene precedencia sobre la equidad y la eficiencia en la distribución de recursos hídricos, y las comunidades y personas pobres tienen en general grandes problemas para hacer valer sus derechos al acceso al agua. Un IDH estudiaría los efectos de la falta de disponibilidad de agua potable sobre el desarrollo humano y la amenaza que esta carencia representa para los medios de subsistencia. El informe analizaría cómo distribuir el agua para responder a las necesidades de los más vulnerables, y cómo administrar los recursos hídricos para incrementar la sostenibilidad medio-ambiental al tiempo que se protege el derecho de los pobres a tener acceso al agua. Finalmente, el informe examinaría qué puede hacer la cooperación internacional para evitar conflictos sobre recursos hídricos compartidos.

4. Acceso a servicios básicos: salud, educación, agua y saneamiento

El acceso a los servicios básicos es el eje alrededor del cual se articulan las Metas del Milenio. El acceso a cuidados de salud, educación, agua y saneamiento de alta calidad es básico para el desarrollo humano. En recientes décadas, el número de habitantes de todos los países en vías de desarrollo que han obtenido acceso a estos servicios básicos ha aumentado regularmente. Sin embargo, el progreso realizado no parece ser suficiente para llegar al acceso universal. Se han probado diferentes modelos de abastecimiento de servicios para aumentar el número de personas cubiertas. El modelo de abastecimiento de servicios liderado por el estado, en el cual el estado era el fundador y proveedor de servicios, ha sido reemplazado por otro modelo más ‘basado en el mercado’ en el cual se autoriza a empresas privadas con fines de lucro y organizaciones sin fines de lucro a entrar en el área de abastecimiento de servicios, previamente reservada a la esfera pública. Después de varios años de experimentación con la apertura a los mecanismos del mercado y la creación de casi-mercados, los resultados continúan siendo decepcionantes. Todavía podemos observar que una parte relativamente importante de la población de los países en vías de desarrollo (particularmente los pobres) carecen de acceso a los servicios básicos, que son derechos fundamentales para su supervivencia y el desarrollo de sus capacidades básicas. Un informe sobre este tema estudiará las hipótesis actuales sobre mecanismos públicos o privados para el abastecimiento de servicios, y en particular analizará cómo se puede ampliar la cobertura de servicios para hacerlos extensivos a grupos excluídos/marginalizados o a poblaciones que viven en lugares de difícil acceso, como son las regiones donde operan conflictos o las zonas geográficamente inaccesibles.

Sumario de Respuestas

Temas posibles para el Informe de Desarrollo Humano 2006

Estimados colegas,

Primeramente, quiero decirles que las contribuciones recibidas en HDR-net y RR-net han sido extremadamente útiles para guiar nuestras discusiones sobre la elección de un tema para el IDH mundial 2006. En particular, nuestro equipo aprecia las detalladas reflexiones que esta discusión originó entre nuestros colegas en todo el mundo, tanto en las redes como fuera de ellas. Además de la animada discusión, en el curso de la cual más de 100 miembros compartieron sus ideas, recibimos 994 respuestas a nuestra encuesta en HDR-net sobre sugestiones de temas.

Durante las próximas semanas llevaremos a cabo consultas adicionales, y anunciaremos el tema en las redes tan pronto como haya sido escogido. A continuación resumimos algunos de los principales puntos y experiencias de países que se comentaron durante la discusión.

ACCESO A SERVICIOS BÁSICOS: SALUD, EDUCACIÓN, AGUA Y SANEAMIENTO

El tema del acceso a los servicios básicos recibió amplio apoyo de los miembros de la red, particularmente en la encuesta llevada a cabo en HDR-net. Se comentó que la mejora del acceso a los servicios básicos es crucial para reducir la pobreza humana y para alcanzar las Metas del Milenio. Es por ello que, a medida que nos acercamos al año 2015, el resultado de este IDH tendría muchas implicaciones importantes al nivel de la política y ofrecería a los tomadores de decisiones opciones de política para alcanzar las Metas del Milenio.

El informe podría analizar los puntos fuertes, las limitaciones, los éxitos y los fracasos de varios mecanismos mediante los cuales los actores nacionales e internacionales del desarrollo intervienen y cooperan en esta cuestión, y hacer recomendaciones alternativas para redefinir políticas y estrategias para mejorar el acceso a los servicios básicos.

Se sugirió que los servicios básicos deberían incluir el “Acceso a la información y a la comunicación”, que es vital para comunidades en áreas particularmente subdesarrolladas y remotas. Los miembros de la red insistieron en que este tópico también debería relacionarse con otras cuestiones, tales como la migración, la crisis hídrica, y las crisis/conflictos.

No obstante, algunos críticos hicieron ver que este tópico podría ser demasiado amplio para prestarse al estilo incisivo del IDH, y que un informe sobre el acceso a los servicios básicos podría terminar siendo una repetición de opciones de política que ya resultan familiares a los profesionales del desarrollo humano.

La oficina del PNUD en Haití está considerando el “Acceso a los servicios básicos” como el tópico para su próximo IDH en 2006. Actualmente, muchos haitianos todavía no tienen la posibilidad de disfrutar de ciertos servicios, como por ejemplo educación, empleo y salud, así como bienes colectivos tales como electricidad, agua, etc.

El próximo IDH de Namibia sobre la Juventud y el Desarrollo Humano identifica el acceso a los servicios básicos, particularmente en las áreas de salud y educación, como uno de los retos cruciales para ampliar las libertades y las oportunidades de los jóvenes. Por ser éste un país de renta mediana, con profundas desigualdades estructurales, el informe se focaliza no sólo en el acceso a los servicios básicos sino en la calidad de los mismos.

PREVENCIÓN DE UNA CRISIS HÍDRICA

Se consideró que la prevención de una crisis hídrica es un tópico oportuno y muy importante. La falta de acceso al agua potable y a un saneamiento adecuado pueden conducir a un desastre humano y de desarrollo. En efecto, el fracaso mundial en la gestión del agua dificulta los esfuerzos para reducir la pobreza y amenaza el progreso del desarrollo humano. En los países en vías de desarrollo, más de 1.100 millones de personas no tienen acceso al agua potable, más de 2.300 millones no tienen acceso a saneamiento adecuado, y como resultado de esta situación 2 millones de personas mueren cada año. El ochenta por ciento de todas las enfermedades están relacionadas con el agua, y en un momento determinado la mitad de la población mundial sufre enfermedades relacionadas con el agua. Es más, la escasez de agua puede ser una causa de posibles conflictos.

El hecho de situar la prevención de una crisis hídrica en el marco del desarrollo humano podría ayudar a mejorar los mecanismos nacionales y locales de gestión de recursos hídricos y contribuir a crear opciones de política que promuevan el desarrollo sostenible. Sin embargo, algunos miembros de la red objetaron que, dado que en 2005 se iniciará la Década Internacional del Agua y que ya se plantean debates relacionados con esta cuestión, este tópico para el IDH 2006 no sería una novedad.

Los miembros de la red mencionaron el caso de los Estados Árabes, que es considerada una de las regiones del globo con mayor penuria de agua. Actualmente, los recursos hídricos renovables por cápita son menos de 500 metros cúbicos por año en aproximadamente 70% de los países árabes (comparado con un promedio mundial de 7.500 metros cúbicos). Más del 65% de los recursos hídricos renovables son transfronterizos y tienen su origen fuera de la región. Unos 50 millones de personas no tienen acceso a agua potable y unos 80 millones de personas no tienen acceso a saneamiento adecuado en los Estados Árabes. Es más, la región está sujeta a sequías intensas y recurrentes, lo que aumenta la vulnerabilidad de las comunidades más pobres, que derivan su sustento principalmente de los recursos naturales.

En el Kazajstán, el tópico del IDH 2004 fue el agua como recurso clave para alcanzar el desarrollo humano. Las personas más vulnerables son los pobres, quienes continuarán padeciendo enfermedades causadas por agua de baja calidad. Por otra parte, dado que un 55% de las necesidades hídricas nacionales son satisfechas por ríos que cruzan el Kazajstán y los países vecinos, el agua puede afectar no sólo la seguridad interna del país sino también el desarrollo humano global del Asia central, China y Rusia.

MIGRACIÓN

Los miembros de la red comentaron que sería extremadamente interesante tratar el problema de la migración desde una perspectiva mundial. También se mencionó que las condiciones económicas, sociales, políticas y culturales determinan diversos tipos de migración (voluntaria e involuntaria), si bien todas ellas tienen un impacto significativo sobre el desarrollo humano. Gran parte del trabajo analítico llevado a cabo sobre la migración se focaliza en sus consecuencias económicas. Continúa faltando una dimensión de desarrollo humano claramente articulada que trate, entre otras, de cuestiones relacionadas con los derechos humanos, seguridad humana, gobernabilidad, igualdad entre los géneros, cultura y diversidad, empleo y medios de ganar el sustento. Por otra parte, los miembros de la red también comentaron que, dadas las desigualdades que continúan existiendo a nivel mundial, la migración sería un tema muy oportuno y el IDH resultante podría aportar una importante contribución a los actuales debates mundiales sobre este tópico.

Es más, un IDH sobre la migración podría tener un impacto en términos de cuestionar las políticas existentes e identificar nuevas alternativas. Si bien cada vez se reconoce más que existe un vínculo entre el desarrollo y la migración, ésta última todavía no se ha integrado sistemáticamente en las agendas nacionales de desarrollo o en las estrategias de asistencia internacional.

Varias personas comentaron sobre las relaciones que existen entre la migración y los otros tópicos propuestos, y ofrecieron ejemplos sobre la manera en que un aumento de la migración en algunos países ha ayudado a solucionar cuestiones relacionadas con la baja tasa de natalidad y el envejecimiento de la población. Por otra parte, ya existen muchas iniciativas y eventos relacionados con la migración, como por ejemplo la Comisión Mundial sobre la Migración Internacional, por lo que deberemos asegurarnos de que nuestro trabajo se alinee con esas iniciativas.

Los miembros de la red relataron diversos casos en sus respectivos países:
En Nigeria, cada vez más gente afluye a Lagos, provenientes del interior de Nigeria y de otros países vecinos. Esta tendencia puede explicar algunos de los problemas a los que se enfrenta la población de Lagos, tales como el aumento de la criminalidad, el deterioro de las condiciones de vida, el incremento de la tasa de infección del VIH/SIDA, y un sistema de servicios sociales desbordado. Similarmente, en la República Centroafricana, los jóvenes abandonan masivamente sus poblados cada año. Es probable que la movilidad de los jóvenes esté directamente relacionada con la propagación del VIH/SIDA, cuya tasa de infección ha sobrepasado el 25% en algunas áreas rurales. La migración interna es una razón intrínseca que explica la rápida transición de China a una economía de mercado. Cuando los ingresos rurales cesaron de crecer, los campesinos empezaron a buscar fuentes alternativas de ingresos. A finales de los años 90s, las ciudades chinas atrajeron a cerca de 100 millones de migrantes rurales, la mayoría de los cuales buscaban trabajo a corto plazo en vez de pretender instalarse a largo plazo.

Los miembros de la red comentaron el impacto diferencial de la migración sobre los géneros. En Nepal por ejemplo, las altas tasas de desempleo combinadas con una fuerte demanda de trabajo femenino en los sectores de servicios han sido causa de que un creciente número de mujeres busque empleo en otros lugares. En consecuencia, y dada la falta de apoyo institucional, los traficantes a menudo proveen lo que la estructura jurídica y social niega a las mujeres. Una encuesta realizada en el estado de Rajastán en India indica que las familias que emigran tienen poca confianza en las iniciativas patrocinadas por el gobierno para generar empleo.

Los miembros de la red comentaron el posible impacto negativo de la migración sobre el país de origen, especialmente en el caso de pequeños países. En diversos Pequeños Estados Insulares en Desarrollo (SIDS) del Caribe, por ejemplo, que tienen una elevada migración a países de la OCDE, la migración tiene un impacto directo sobre las iniciativas de creación de capacidades del PNUD, ya que potencialmente puede erosionar las contribuciones del PNUD y los resultados de su apoyo en todos los sectores del desarrollo.

En Nicaragua y en la región de Centroamérica en general, las familias dependen cada vez más de las remesas de dinero provenientes de sus familiares. Las remesas de dinero ayudan a los pobres a liberarse de la pobreza y son también un factor que ayuda a ajustar los déficits de la balanza de pagos. En El Salvador, donde más del 25% de la población vive en el extranjero, se estima que las remesas de dinero representan aproximadamente un 17% del PIB. También se hacen esfuerzos para atraer a las diásporas de retorno a sus países de origen. Por ejemplo, las diásporas de la India y de la China están retornando a sus países de origen, ya que la próspera economía, el clima favorable a la inversión, y el estable sistema económico y regulatorio imperante en esos países son elementos atractivos para favorecer el retorno de los migrantes a largo plazo.

EL ENVEJECIMIENTO

Los miembros de la red identificaron el Envejecimiento como un factor que tiene un impacto significativo sobre el desarrollo humano. Es importante considerar las causas por las cuales ciertas poblaciones envejecen rápidamente, como por ejemplo la mejora de los servicios médicos y del nivel de vida, la reducción de la fertilidad, y la mejora de las redes de protección social. Los miembros de la red también comentaron que éste es un tópico que afecta tanto a los países desarrollados como a los países en vías de desarrollo. Los ancianos se encuentran a menudo en situaciones particularmente vulnerables como resultado de: discriminación social, económica y política; inseguridad de los ingresos y del empleo, mala salud; falta de casa propia, falta de cuidados y protección, etc. Frecuentemente, a estas vulnerabilidades se añade la ausencia de redes de protección social, siquiera mínimas, que son indispensables para alcanzar las Metas del Milenio. Además de un análisis de las causas del envejecimiento y de las vulnerabilidades de los ancianos, el tópico debería tratar de cuestiones referentes a los diversos sistemas de pensiones.

Los miembros de la red aportaron ejemplos sobre las maneras en que las cambiantes estructuras demográficas afectan a diversos países y regiones. Muchos países árabes, por ejemplo, todavía parecen estar en una fase de expansión de la población, es decir, poblaciones más jóvenes asociadas con bajos niveles de crecimiento económico. Esta tendencia deja a los ciudadanos de más edad con débiles redes de protección social.

En Bulgaria, se está fraguando una crisis demográfica. Un creciente porcentaje de la población está compuesto por ancianos, debido a la baja natalidad, la migración de los jóvenes y el aumento de la esperanza de vida. En Kazajstán, donde las personas de más de 65 años representan el 6,7% del total de la población, los problemas relacionados con el envejecimiento tienen efectos significativos sobre la protección social, la educación y la salud, así como sobre la inversión, el empleo, el consumo y el nivel de ahorro.

Los miembros de la red insistieron sobre el hecho de que existe a menudo una estrecha interrelación entre la migración y el envejecimiento. En muchos países, la caída de la natalidad se ve compensada por un incremento en el influjo de inmigrantes. En el Japón, durante el período 1985-1995, el número de inmigrantes aumentó en un 60 por ciento.

Además de los tópicos que acabamos de considerar, en el curso de la discusión se presentaron otros tópicos alternativos muy interesantes que merecen atenta consideración, entre ellos:

El imperio de la ley y el desarrollo humano
El Informe del Secretario General, “Un concepto más amplio de la libertad: desarrollo, seguridad y derechos humanos para todos”, afirma que el imperio de la ley es fundamental para que florezcan la justicia, la paz y la seguridad, siendo también un factor esencial en los esfuerzos realizados por todas las naciones para establecer un entorno favorable al desarrollo humano.

El empleo y los medios de ganarse el sustento en una era de globalización
Muchas de las opiniones generalizadas sobre el empleo han sido cuestionadas debido a las crecientes tasas de desempleo en muchos países en vías de desarrollo que no parecen responder a los estímulos convencionales. Los problemas referentes al empleo se han tratado de forma subsidiaria en previos IDHs, pero nunca se han considerado directamente como un tópico independiente.

Los riesgos de desastre como un reto para el desarrollo humano
Otra opción que recibió muchos sufragios fue “Los riesgos de desastre y el desarrollo humano”. Se comentó que los desastres pueden destruir en un instante el fruto de años de desarrollo y hacer peligrar significativamente las probabilidades de alcanzar las Metas del Milenio. El IDH mundial podría ayudar a los profesionales del desarrollo a focalizar su atención sobre la necesidad de adoptar marcos de acción mundiales, regionales y nacionales que requieran que los responsables de la adopción de políticas den máxima importancia a los riesgos de desastre en sus agendas políticas.

Lucha contra el hambre
Dejando aparte las limitaciones de la comunidad internacional para proveer apoyo adecuado, todavía no se han desarrollado o implementado políticas nacionales para ofrecer acceso a la nutrición básica en los países afectados por el hambre. El IDH podría liderar en este tema, considerando la cuestión de una nutrición adecuada como una necesidad básica que todavía no ha sido satisfecha. También se sugirió que esta cuestión debería estar reflejada en el Índice del Desarrollo Humano.

Resultados de la votación en HDR-Net (número de respuestas = 994)

Otras sugestiones incluyen:
Cambios climáticos, Acceso a servicios financieros, Retención y utilización de capacidad, Prevención de crisis y recuperación, Medio ambiente, Política de género, Corrupción, Gobernabilidad democrática, Riesgos de desastres, Derechos económicos, sociales y culturales, Educación, Empleo, Energía, Lucha contra el hambre, Nueva perspectiva sobre la seguridad, Imperio de la ley y desarrollo humano, Desarrollo rural, Derechos económicos, sociales y culturales, VIH/SIDA, Exclusión social, La ONU y los procesos de paz, y Juventud.

 Una vez más, quisiéramos agradecerles sus contribuciones en la red. Nos gustaría reiterar la importancia de estas discusiones en la red para el proceso del IDH mundial. Continuamos contando con el apoyo de todos ustedes mientras desarrollamos estas ideas en el próximo IDH 2006. También les contactaremos en relación con el lanzamiento en Septiembre del IDH 2005, Reestructurando la cooperación internacional: ayuda, comercio y seguridad en un mundo desigual.

Un cordial saludo,

Kevin

Kevin Watkins
Director,
Human Development Report Office
UNDP New York

Responses in Full

Moncef Ghrib, UNDP Lebanon, wrote:

[Facilitator’s Note: To view the note by Moncef Ghrib on Demographic Trends and Global Development, please go to http://hdr.undp.org/docs/network/hdr_net/Demorgraphic_Trends_Ghrib05.pdf]

Dear Kevin and Colleagues

Thank you Kevin for your email related to the 2006 HDR theme. This gives me a great opportunity to share with you a note that I prepared. I analyze in this note the demographic trends and their impacts on development. Since you are giving us the choice, I vote for Ageing.

In my note, I analyze demographic trends related to MDG, Migration and our mandate as UN/UNDP.The first conclusion I reached is that all nations will certainly achieve 4 to 5 MDGs targets due to demographic trends. My second conclusion is that there is a high challenge on the global development and cultural diversity surrounding all nations/cultures. My third conclusion is that in some countries poverty will reach unprecedented levels due to the fact that pension/retirement are no longer guaranteed since the ratio of elderly persons to working age person will double in developed region and tripled in less developed countries. I conclude my analysis with a need to adapt our economical and social policies toward achieving a greater development and allowing a balanced civilization growth.

What will happen during the 21st century? Will economic and social development progress more rapidly than population growth? Will the world find that it can support much larger numbers than it does at present? As United Nations and UNDP, what is our role in designing new policies to lower these impacts? The clock is ticking. It is time to start thinking and planning for one of the greatest demographic shifts the world has ever seen!

I will be very happy if colleagues take time and read this note.

Best regards.

Moncef Ghrib
UNDP Lebanon

Ali Salman, UNDP Bahrain, wrote:

Dears,

I fully support the theme of “Averting a Water Crises” for the next year’s global HDR. Out of the perspective of many intellectuals and researchers in the Middle East area, there is a general feeling of water crises ahead of us. As a volatile area on verge of so many political, economical, and social problems, there is kind of consensus that scarcity of water can be a major ground of prospective crises, which can even lead to some military conflicts.

This small message is not to scientifically reinforce my vote for the topic, but to draw the attention of the importance of the issue of water to the people of the Middle East. This can be open to further discussions, in all cases, any way.

Thank you and good luck,

Ali Salman
UNDP Bahrain

Astghik Mirzakhanyan, UNDP Armenia, wrote:

[Facilitator’s Note: To view research documents shared by Astghik Mirzakhanyan on Labour Migrants in a Globalising World, please go to http://hdr.undp.org/docs/network/hdr_net/Labour_Migrants_Mirzakhanyan05.pdf and http://hdr.undp.org/docs/network/hdr_net/Labour_Migrants_ppt_Mirzakhanyan05.ppt ]

Dear HDR group,

I am pleased to vote for 'Migration' theme for the GHDR2006. Why? Because I thing that in the globalising world this issue is quite important. There are a lot of dilemmas around the migration phenomenon, especially concerning the labour migrants, remittances, contribution to GDP and GNP, etc. This is very sensitive issue for those small countries, which have no enough domestic market to survive and cannot economically position themselves among "Big Brothers". Migration is both natural absorber of the socio-economic shocks of the globalising world and human response to the imperfect markets of globalising economy.

This problem was actively discussed during the International Conference on Social Welfare (ICSW) organised in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) on 16-20 August 2004, where the special session was devoted to the migration related issues.

To support the suggested theme of 'Migration' I am attaching my presentation on "Labour Migrants in a Globalising World" (this includes a research paper and power point presentation).

Thank you for facilitation of this transparent and professional discussion on GHDR2006 theme.

Best regards,

Astghik Mirzakhanyan
UNDP Armenia

Dumisani Magadlela, UNDP South Africa, wrote:

The range of challenges surrounding access to all types of basic services in many developing countries warrants attention from international development agencies such as the UNDP. Access to essential services such as water, energy and shelter, is particularly critical in situations where HIV&AIDS, TB and related 'poverty diseases' are wrecking havoc among poor communities.

The 'services challenge' straggles dense informal settlements in urban areas, and also covers sparsely populated rural settlements in many parts of the world. A report on servicing these different places, clearly illustrated with facts from case studies, with faces and voices of the affected members of those communities, will be a great contribution towards a global effort to make an impact in this area.

Dumisani Magadlela
Johhanesburg, South Africa

Seheir Kansouh-Habib, Government of Egypt, wrote:

Dear Mr. Watkins,

I am voting for MIGRATION. I wish to make this emphasis because whereas Ageing and Water Crisis are certainly important, a number of agencies have definitely discussed such problems quite extensively for some time and literature about them abound. This does not mean dropping them, but there is a need to go through a major desk review about them or else there will be much untapped resources.

Migration has also been on the international agenda for a number of years, but what is happening nowadays as a result of wars, armed conflicts, coercions etc., is really creating unprecedented and immeasurable migration problems as far as scale, magnitude and fear from transgressing diseases such as HIVAIDS, terrorism, etc. all of which do not make the life of the migrant any more comfortable, often denying him or her the most basic right to be treated with dignity.

I therefore strongly wish that migration is the subject that will be selected. It is certainly a human development topic, it affects all countries (those fled, the transit havens, and the final destination), it also affects very deeply the first generation of migrants - who may suffer greatly from their leaving families and roots - the families and friends left behind - the second generation of migrants - who are normally torn between the culture their parents continue inculcate in them and the one that has opened its arms to absorb them. Issues are many. But I will stop here.

Seheir Kansouh-Habib
UNDP Egypt

Lena Sinha, UN Foundation Affairs, UNDP/BRSP, wrote:

Dear Kevin,

The proposed themes for the HDR 2006 are interesting and will no doubt make for good analysis. I would however like to propose that you also consider as a fifth theme an analysis of the connection between the rule of law and human development. As noted in the Report of the Secretary-General “In larger freedom: towards development, security and human rights for all”, the rule of law is fundamental to ensuring justice, peace and security. It is also essential to all nations’ efforts to provide an enabling environment for human development, and an HDR providing ground-breaking analysis on the causal relationships involved in this area would be timely and informative.

Best regards,

Lena Sinha
UN Foundation Affairs, UNDP/BRSP

Philip Dobie, UNDP Drylands Development Centre, Kenya, wrote:

I strongly endorse the theme “migration” for the next HDR. This would be a very powerful theme and would receive tremendous global attention. I would envisage a response equivalent to that to the Arab HDR.

Migration evokes strong and instinctive responses, both from those who wish to migrate and those who fear migrants. It is a topic replete with false assumptions and misapprehensions, and very suited to the careful and impartial analysis of an HDR.

I am not convinced by the suggested distinction between voluntary migration (to achieve betterment) and involuntary migration (the last-ditch response to collapse of livelihoods). There is actually a continuum between the two, and where a person finds his/herself on the continuum can be influenced by policies. For example, land tenure policies can influence whether a person stays to earn a living or moves to look for opportunities. There is a fascinating discussion to be had about the role of government policy and donor assistance in mediating incentives to migrate even before border controls are exercised.

In terms of both international and internal migration the question of what makes a “good” migrant is important. Today, much migration is driven by poverty, and the people who move to cities, and increasingly illegally to other countries, do not have the skills or knowledge to compete in the labour market and immediately join the poor and exploited. Seeing migration as a positive act should help us focus on the needs of a rural population that tends to move. It would be useful to bust the myth that improving rural livelihoods leads to people staying on the land. It does not, but it ensures that the people who move to the city are well-fed, healthy and educated and ready to compete in an urban setting, and it ensures that stress is taken off the countryside. “Environmental migration” should be discussed – where environmental degradation destroys livelihoods, forcing people to move.

The needs of groups who migrate for their living are mentioned in Kevin’s request for nominations of themes. Among these are mobile pastoralists, who use marginal land very efficiently but are increasingly affected by borders and the privatization of land. UNDP was instrumental in establishing a global pastoralism network called WISP (contact Maryam Niamir-Fuller) and would be well-placed to contribute on this topic.

Ageing, another proposed topic, has links to the migration theme in terms of the desirability of immigration into ageing OECG societies who are worried about who will pay their pensions.

Access to basic services is a tremendously important topic, but I would fear that it is so diverse topic that it would not lend itself to the critical incisive style of the HDR. We might end up re-hashing much of the work of the Millennium Project which covered all of the MDGs.

Averting a water crisis would get my second vote, if I was allowed on, but shouldn’t we have done it this year – International Water Year?

Best regards

Philip Dobie
Director
UNDP Drylands Development Centre, Kenya

Noha El-Mikawy, UNDP/SURF-AS, wrote:

I want to pick up on Moncef’s choice of Ageing. I think Moncef has given a good twist to the issue of ageing. While industrialized nations followed recently by some Eastern European countries are facing a problem of weak population growth combined with ageing populations, the Middle East seems to be still in a position of expanding populations, i.e. younger populations, but coupled with weak economic growth, which leaves the older citizens with no social security net, at least not one that is based on a generational contract where the “working” young would finance the safety net of the old. That is a serious problem that needs to be tackled.

But then I would not focus a report on ageing as such. Maybe the issue is one of long ‘quality’ life. In our part of the world, young unemployed populations are expected to live longer. That leaves us with no quality for the old (due to poverty and lack of social security nets) and no quality for the young (due to weak growth rates, weak economic competitiveness and accordingly high unemployment). In the industrialized countries, long quality life whether in terms of health, culture, or long life learning opportunities have been so far financed partly by the taxes paid by the dwindling numbers of the working young as well as by active civil society and private firms. These sources are currently threatened in the industrialized nations and in our part of the world, these sources are still nascent. Hence the issue should be one of how to guarantee long quality life.

Noha El-Mikawy, Ph.D.
Governance Institutions Policy Advisor
SURF-AS, UNDP

Thein Zan UNDP Myanmar, wrote:

I strongly vote for Democratic Governance, being a corner-stone of achieving the rest of MDG, as a theme of Global HDR 2006. I simply see that salient point as underpinning the accomplishment of Millennium Development Goals. Until and unless there is enabling environment, no headway can be seen at any cost. Hence, we need to create favorable climate and fertile soil first, before sowing hybrid seeds on the land.

In the absence of good governance, I do not believe that we can address our global issues on environment, poverty reduction, education, HIV/AIDS, Narcotic Drug elimination, Woman Empowerment, safety and security. Under non-democratic governance, the participation and empowerment of people will be hardly taken into account in addressing those areas of our concern. It is leading to unrealistic decision-making and people feel lack of confidence on governance and cynically response to its negative effect. It is eventually depriving the public awareness on health, education and conservation of environment. From that vicious circle people can find no way to escape until good governance comes into light.

It is also highlighted by the Secretary General in his statement which presented by Chief of Staff, Mark Malloch Brown on his behalf on 10 March 2005 during Seminar of the Community of Democracies, that “Our focus is on helping countries get democratic governance “right” in the sense of how can we assist countries with building the capacity they need to effectively govern and have representative institutions and participative process that go beyond simply holding an election, to governance that can deliver the benefit of free and open societies”.

If we fail to focus on governance, it looks like a physician, who tries to immediately remedy the symptoms of patient instead of curing the root cause.

I would therefore like to support a good motto of governance, Head (Knowledge) and Hand (Implementation) should go together. Let’s focus on governance first; the rest will become boldly achievable later.

Best regards

Thein Zan
UNDP Myanmar

Adama Daou, UNDP Cape Verde, wrote:

TRANSLATED MESSAGE

Dear Kevin,

As a new member of the network, I would like to express my appreciation for the quality and the diversity of the disseminated information and I would like to thank all the facilitators of the networks.

I also would like to make my modest contribution to the proposed themes. Certainly all the suggested themes are very important. However, in light of the current state of the world, which is marked by all sorts of crises, migration is becoming quite disturbing and even rather alarming. Migration affects above all the young, the offspring of tomorrow and recipients of the process of sustainability, which characterizes our development objectives, strategies and reforms.

My thoughts on this topic are based on my personal experience where development projects have failed due to a lack of workforce in villages which are inhabited mostly by children and the elderly. This topic still needs more attention because for the young, even in rural areas, still the only alternative is to leave, despite the multiple risks of migration. Sustainability for whom? Thank you.

Greetings

Adama Daou
UNDP Cape Verde

ORIGINAL MESSAGE

Bonjour Kevin,

En tant que nouveau membre du réseau, j'apprécie la qualité et la diversité des informations et remercie tous les animateurs du réseau. Je souhaite apporter ma modeste contribution aux thèmes proposés, certes tous ont une importance capitale mais dans le monde actuel confronté à toutes sortes de crises, la migration devient préoccupante voir inquiétante. Cette migration touche surtout les jeunes qui sont la relève de demain et récepiandaires du processus de durabilité qui se tisse à travers des objectifs de développement, stratégies et reformes.

Ma réflexion sur ce thème est fondée d'une expérience vécue où des projets de développement ont échoué faute de main d'oeuvre dans des villages peuplés en majorité d'enfants et de personnes âgées. Ce thème mérite plus encore une attention car pour la jeunesse même rurale, l'alternative est de partir en dépit des risques multiples. La durabilité pour qui? Merci.

Salutations

Adama Daou
PNUD Cap Verd

John Ohiorhenuan, UNDP/BCPR, wrote:

Earlier I had simply voted for “other”, suggesting that we focus the report on “employment and livelihoods in a globalizing era”. I see Phil’s suggested distinction between voluntary and involuntary migration as an important dimension in a report explicitly focused on livelihoods and employment. It is a theme which is important precisely because much of what we used to think we knew about employment is being brought into question. We are seeing chronic unemployment figures of 25-35% in a macroeconomic environment that does not appear to respond to conventional stimuli. A Report that examines the contemporary manifestation of the problem and tries to suggest creative approaches would be worth its weight in gold.

John Ohiorhenuan

Deputy Assistant Administrator and Deputy Director Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery, UNDP

Michelle Rooney, UNDP/RBAP, wrote:

I am strongly in favor of the theme of migration for the next HDR. As theme it is fairly specific and focused yet encompasses a very rich envelope for potential research, discussion debate and analysis. Starting with the initial reasons for migrating – whether it be poverty/income related or other to the affects of migration both on the receiving community and the community left behind. Apart from simply finding a better standard of living by the individual, the decision to migrate is in many instances a family decision. It is about improving incomes as well as diversifying income base (a sort of insurance) especially when many rural families may depend heavily on agricultural based incomes that in turn are affected by natural factors.

Another interesting area to linked to this and clearly linked to migration is the issue of migrant remittances. Why do migrants remit funds to family? Again this is a very rich area for analysis. I know that many surveys include questions relating to family migration and family income, including income received from migrant remittances of family members. Analysis can be related to the direct impact on family income. It can even go as far as analyzing to what extent families rely on remittances, and hence migration as a result of the surrounding factors in their communities.

My second choice would be averting a water crisis, including improving access to water.

Thank you,

Michelle Rooney
Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific, UNDP

Palamanga Ouali, UNDP Mali, wrote:

Dear Kevin,

Thank you very much for this opportunity to reflect on the theme of the HDR2006. I already used the red box to cast my vote for Migration but I would like to make a few comments.

Is Migration a core human development issue? My answer would be YES. If Human Development is about expanding people's freedom and enlarging their choices... then, Migration is a core issue of the Human Development framework. Migration is a very complex phenomenon as underscored in your message. Simplistic analyses (often based on stereotypes) have served as a basis for policy making in some countries. An HDR on this important issue of global concern would make a deep and sound analysis on a number of key issues: underlying factors of migration, cultural, economic and political impact on countries of origin and on countries of destination, the fate of the children and grand children of migrants, alternatives national and global policies, etc.

Mali is one of the countries in Africa with a relatively high number of migrants (especially to France and to other African countries). It is common practice that family members club together to provide prospective migrants (generally young men) with money for the high risky journey to Europe. There are many emotional personal stories sometimes with unhappy endings related to this phenomenon. With respect to the effects of migration on non-migrants, the Kayes Region in Mali could serve as an interesting case study in this regard.

Best regards.

Palamanga Ouali
Economist
UNDP Bamako, Mali

Seheir Kansouh-Habib, UNDP Egypt, wrote:

DONT LET ENTHUSIASM WANE.

By the day, I see that HDRO team will be facing a knot as to which issue deserves to be the focus of HDR 2006!

If I may, I wish to come up with a suggestion: Though my inclination would go to MIGRATION for the reasons spelt out in my earlier email, as this issue has really scaled up to unprecedented levels - almost like the digital age with respect to technology advancement - while other problems are genuine but incremental, I trust that at the end of the day, the issue selected will be the one with highest number of voter as well as on the basis of comparative viability of arguments taken from a global perspective.

I therefore believe that, whatever the one among the three proposed themes that will win the race in prioritization this time, work should seriously start on the other two themes in a forward-looking approach. This is done in strategic planning and programming.

By this I mean that those in the network who are found to be rich with either conceptual and/or practical experience and knowledge in one or the other of the issues can be encouraged to form a task force that can start working on HDRs 2007 and 2008 (assuming that there wont be other more pressing issues that would emerge and call for more pressing attention).

At any rate, the three issues that were identified are all important therefore the work would not go in vain as I am sure that HDRO has other advocacy platforms to contribute to in addition to HDR. If this makes sense, I believe that the enthusiasm demonstrated by some of the network members for one or the other of the themes should not be left to pass but could multiply if sub-thematic groups are formed in parallel to enrich the basis on which the following HDR issues will be founded. As interests of members and their fields of expertise vary, I don’t think that this will deviate efforts needed to prepare for the 2006 issue of HDR.

Also special boxes could appear in the 2006 HDR alluding or giving an "avant-propos" on the issues that will be forthcoming in following reports. I also wish to take this opportunity to suggest that a whole chapter should be devoted to summarize results (conceptual and practical) gained from the previous report. I don’t have the last HDR handy at this moment but I don’t think that this happens, unless it is just alluded to as a sort of background in the eagerness to focus on the new issue. This is not enough, a continuum should be maintained.

Seheir Kansouh-Habib
Government of Egypt

Ana Gaby Guerrero Serdan, UNDP Laos PDR, wrote:

Dear Kevin,

Thanks for sharing this. I would like to give preference to the theme of Migration. It is indeed a core human development issue and the value added of analyzing it from a HD perspective will be important. Globally and nationally, migration has different impacts on development, and vice versa, development has impacts on migration. From the brief note that you sent I would like to comment on the following:

It would be important to know more about these recent UN initiatives focusing on international migration. For internal migration (internal displacement), there are the OCHA Guiding principles on internal displacement.

I like the idea of distinguishing between voluntary and involuntary migration, this differentiation is key to how migration is being analyzed and therefore, how programs and policies are elaborated. If you want to take up some case studies, we recently finalized a study in Laos on "Service Delivery and Resettlement" which touches on migration. While the topic raises the issue of resettlement, the report discusses this within a migration perspective in both; voluntary and involuntary ways using a livelihoods approach (www.undplao.org)

On the impact of international migrations there are several aspects besides the economic ones (remittances, etc.) like social, political and cultural but also on gender and the changing of roles within the communities and villages. Some examples of countries with large out-migration populations such as Mexico and the Philippines might provide some samples or case studies. Again, in Laos, within the NHDR on “International Trade and Human Development" we will be doing some analysis on labor trade.

Aspects at the policy level that you may consider touching upon at both levels, global and regional, are illegal migrants and brain drains.

Best regards,

Ana Gaby Guerrero Serdan
Prog. Analyst/ Human Development
UNDP Laos PDR

Michele Ribotta, UNDP Egypt, wrote:

Dear Colleagues,

Although I would tend to vote for Migration, I am not sure how UNDP would time the report with the work of the Global Commission on International Migration, that is due to present the findings of its work to the SG by year end, followed by a high level GA session in 2006 (see below par. 71 of SG report "In larger Freedom"). Is there an opportunity for added value, complementarity as well as informing the GA session with additional policy work, or rather a risk of redundancy?

71. ...The impact of these trends is not yet well understood, but I believe that the report of the Global Commission on International Migration, which I shall receive later in 2005, will provide some valuable guidance. The high-level dialogue on the subject to be held by the General Assembly in 2006 will provide an important opportunity to tackle the hard questions on this issue.

Regards

Michele Ribotta
Head, Coordination Unit
UNDP Egypt

Shynar Imangaliyeva, UNDP Kazakhstan, wrote:

Dear colleagues,

I would support Ageing as a topic for 2006 Global HDR. During last three months we have been discussing a topic for our 2005 National human development report. We considered different relevant topics for our country including local government, youth, healthy life style and other.

After a long discussion two main topics remained – 1) population ageing and 2) intergenerational relations in Kazakhstan. Both of these issues are important and interesting to study and analyze to further human development in our country. Finally we identified ageing as the main focus for this year.

Issues related to population ageing pose a new challenge in Kazakhstan. According to data from the 1999 population census, people in the age group 65 years and above now represent 6.7 % of the total population. Our country is on the threshold of a new set of ageing demographics characterized by declining birth rates, increasing death rates, immigration of able-bodied working age citizens, and limited migration of those already of pension age.

Demographic ageing affects the size and proportion of the various cohorts, changing young and old dependency ratios and the size of the working population. Today employment, social security, social welfare, education and health care as well as investment, consumption and saving patterns, need adjustment.

We expect that the recommendations of the report will be used as a basis for designing policies and programmes that respond to the challenges and opportunities of population ageing in Kazakhstan and that address the specific needs and expectations of older people.

Since I am a new in UNDP and in the network I would be grateful for all suggestions and references related to the topic of ageing.

With best wishes,

Shynar Imangaliyeva
SPA Human Development
UNDP Kazakhstan

Adib Nehmeh, UNDP SURF-AS, wrote:

Dear All

I would vote for Migration. I believe migration is a more global social phenomenon than the others, and more integrated in the core issues of human development. It is not nor county, nor region specific nor have a "strong technical aspect" as water crisis, ageing or basic services might relatively be. I endorse the justification of Abla and Astghik Mizarkhanian for this choice.

For the HDR in 2007 I would strongly suggest to consider reviewing the HD concept after more than 15 years of the publication of the first HDR. I believe it is about time to deal with the erosion of this concept/paradigm. "Re-inventing Human Development" might be a pertinent subject for global discussion and a global HDR.

Regards

Adib Nehmeh
Policy Advisor for Poverty Reduction
SURF-AS

Daniel Mukoko Samba, UNDP Kinshasa - RDC, wrote:

Dear Kevin,

I strongly believe that facilitating universal access to basic services is definitely an area where we, UNDP, can offer distinctive ways of achieving most of the MDGs. Macroeconomic and microeconomic constraints have continuously played their role in lowering access rates even where economic growth rates are quite high. It is therefore of the uppermost interest to look for innovative mechanisms and modalities to bring education, health, and W&S services to all.

Daniel MUKOKO Samba
PNUD/Kinshasa - RDC

Bharati Silawal, UNDP/BDP, wrote:

I would vote for the theme on Migration for a number of compelling reasons:

1. Migration is a phenomena of the 21st century that is being accelerated with the opportunities and choices for better livelihoods that globalisation has to offer.

2. The diminishing possibilities for employment within the country and for legal labour migration (particularly) Nepal combined with the demand for women's labour in the service sectors mean that more and more women are seeking employment elsewhere. Unlike the patterns of male migration, women do not know where to go, are not aware of the opportunities available and have no support to plan the migration. The traffickers fill the gaps that the legal and social structure has denied women.

3. Trafficking and illegal migration, particularly of women must be understood in the context of the gender division of labour, structural disadvantages suffered by women in the gendered labour market and the world-wide feminization of labour migration on the one hand, and increasingly restrictive immigration policies of recipient countries on the other.

4. The nexus between the traffickers, police and the politicians and the failure of governments to have a universal approach to anti-trafficking measures have virtually rendered men, women, boys and girls alike helpless in evading the organised net of trafficking - firstly owing to lack of information and knowledge and secondly owing to lack of state apparatus or mechanisms to ensure safe migration of those seeking alternative and better employment opportunities abroad.

5. This is further compounded by the lack of distinction between trafficking, migration and sex-work and the nexus with HIV/AIDS as is reminiscent of the conceptual clarity on gender that equates it with women and effective policies and legislation regarding HIV/AIDS.

6. Furthermore, ongoing armed conflict in most parts of the world is another reason that displaces/ uproots people from their place of origin forcing them to stake out their life on foreign land. The inter-generational impact of such forced migration also would need to be looked into.

7. Case studies to be cited should include: 1) the gender differential impact of illegal migration; 2) Conflict and forced migration from a gender perspective; 3) Gender sensitive Immigration policies etc.

Bharati Silawal
UNDP/BDP

Anna Stjarnerklint, UNDP Albania, wrote:

Dear Kevin,

My gut reaction was to vote for 'Migration' (as I did in last year's HDR discussion). It certainly qualifies in terms of the two first criteria, but on the third one, can we really make a difference? Considering the fact that the field is getting crowded and that our work may get lost - or get three times less attention - as the other UN initiatives on international migration get underway? I also want to remind you that last year's HDR reviewed one aspect of migration; the impact of culture on the 'receiving' societies and inclusion of migrants in their new communities.

For these reasons - and possibly for the self-serving reason of someone who is getting on in life - I voted for 'Ageing'. Your comments on this issue focus - logically - on the ageing population in developing countries and how elderly people make considerable contributions to development. In this analysis it would be important to make the distinction between voluntary and involuntary contributions and what policy recommendations can be drawn from this. Since this is a global report, a similar analysis should be carried out for the rich countries, reviewing voluntary and involuntary retirements and what loss to society involuntary retirements cause. In a globalized world where information is instant - and constantly new and evolving - what is the cost of losing the institutional memories stored in 60+ individuals?

The après-guerre baby boomers are being sidelined. How can their knowledge be harnessed for the achievement of the MDGs?

Best regards

Anna-Kristina Stjarnerklint
UN Resident Coordinator/ UNDP Resident Representative
UNDP Albania

Edo Stork, ICT for Development Specialist, The Netherlands, wrote:

Kevin,

I feel it is a great idea to think about the topic of the next HDR on the knowledge networks. So thank you very much for sharing.

Can I suggest to also including 'access to information and communication' in the title of 'access to basic services'? I can refer here as an example to my practical experience in the UNDP Fiji Multi Country Office where I was leading a formulation mission for a new community based project on communications in Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea (Bougainville).

One of the results of these missions (mission reports can be found in the left bar on http://www.undp.org.fj/Strenghtening_Community_Access_to_Information.htm) was that access to information and communication is vital in small island countries and can be classified as a basic need. See the executive summaries of these reports - there is no need to read the full reports. Also see the UNDP Fiji Multi Country Programme Outline for more on this.

I am quite sure that this need is also clear in other developing countries, particularly in underdeveloped remote areas. The problem here is that people and government in these areas are not that vocal (ironically probably partially because of the lack of access to information and communication) and can not voice their ideas appropriately. Secondly, if they would feel that access to information and communication would be vital they are still less likely to voice this need because it is more difficult to articulate and they have not properly experienced suitable communications. Particularly interesting was the meeting that we had with the Governor of Bougainville of Papua New Guinea who said that access to information and communication was such a vital and straightforward issue that we should not even have asked for the need of it.

I can also add that already UNDP has done some very interesting work in this area where I can refer to the Oslo Governance Center’s work on Access to Information and also the work from UNDP APDIP (www.apdip.net and http://eprimers.apdip.net/series/ on its e-primer documents), particularly the eprimer on ICTs for Poverty Alleviation by Roger Harris.

We have also explored the role of access to information in the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea through participative workshops and are able to share the documents with you if you would like. These documents highlight causes and effects of various problems dealing with the use of ICTs. For these countries the problems that are caused by lack of information and communication are exposed in clear graphics.

With kind regards,

Edo Stark
ICT for Development Specialist
The Netherlands

Juan Pablo Corlazzoli, UNDP Guatemala, wrote:

Dear Kevin,

Here in UNDP Guatemala, we opted for a “democratic consensus approach” to our selection of the 2006 HDR. We wanted to get a view of what the majority of the staff in our office thought about the topics and submitted it to a vote. Let me announce that the topic that got a majority of favorable opinions was MIGRATION.

This was an exercise that allowed those who participated to freely share their views and thoughts. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to collaborate with the selection of the 2006 HDR. We look forward to it.

Best regards,

Juan Pablo Corlazzoli
Resident Representative
UNDP Guatemala

Rebecca Dodd, WHO, wrote:

All the suggested themes look interesting, and would benefit from the thorough analysis that a HDR would bring.

A small comment on the suggested migration theme - the issue of professional migration from developing countries to rich countries seems to have been missed. I'm thinking in particular of the issue of migrating health workers from African countries, and the impact that this has on the health systems they leave behind. If you pick this theme, this may be an issue worth considering. I believe that the Global Commission looked at it; WHO has also done quite a lot of detailed work on the subject.

Rebecca Dodd
WHO

Sarah Murison, Capacity Development Group, wrote:

I would like to add my voice emphatically to those supporting a migration theme for the 2006 Human Development Report. It would be a timely topic as the Global Commission on International Migration will report to the Secretary General and other stakeholders during the GA period 2005 and in 2006 the GA will hold a high-level session on migration.

Moreover, some member states are currently discussing the addition of migration target(s) to one or more of the MDGs, while the Sachs report on the MDGs hardly mentioned migration, and only two dimensions of it: the flight of professionals from developing countries, and expansion of GAT Mode 4 (trade in labour services), indicating a major gap in global and intergovernmental discourse, which does not match the rising interest in the topic (especially since 9/11).

A human development approach to migration could be extremely valuable, encompassing as it does questions of human rights of several kinds, human security, governance, gender equality, sexual politics, culture and diversity etc. as well as employment and livelihood issues. Much of the discussion of migration and development focuses rather narrowly on economic measures of development, and would be greatly enriched by a clearly articulated human development dimension.

Should this be the chosen topic, it will be important not to overlook four concerns in particular:

• Internal migration, which is probably 3-4 times greater numerically than international migration, and may be at least as important in terms of remittances and impact on development (there are estimated to be more internal migrants in India alone than the total estimate of documented international migrants).
  
• Female migration patterns and the impact of the gendered dimensions of migration flows on sending and receiving countries. The presence/absence of male and female migrants are likely to have very different impacts (around half of all documented international migrants are women, more in several regions, and the proportion approaches 70% in several countries in Asia)
  
• The relationship between productive and reproductive labour, and their joint impacts on development. This relationship is brought into sharp relief by its attenuation through migration but is under-explored in the literature. For example, many, if not most, migration decisions and impacts are mediated by the family and household, and I have been surprised at the limited extent (in general, with many exceptions) to which discussions of migration, remittances in particular, draw on the vast literature on family structure, relationships, income streams, disbursement patterns, decision-making, capabilities, unpaid labour etc. in various discourses (livelihoods, rural development, feminist economics, human development and so on). One has only to scan the documentary resources on the principle websites on migration research to note this. Bridging this gap would be a major contribution.
  
• Governance issues of regulation, monitoring and accountability for agreements reached in both sending and receiving countries, and access to services and redress by both male and female migrants

Sarah Murison
Capacity Development Group

Liliana De Riz, UNDP Argentina, wrote:

Dear Kevin,

We favor 'Migration'. Some of our colleagues have already posited persuasive arguments for this choice: specific and focused, yet rich for potential research and debate; affects the (rural) poor and the young, challenging sustainability processes. The departure of well-trained workers and members of the scientific community from developing nations to the industrialized nations is another reason why migration matters. It erodes years of investment in training and education, and strengthens, at the same time, inequalities among rich and emergent countries.

Best Regards,

Liliana De Riz
Informe de Desarrollo Humano
UNDP - Argentina

Suraj Kumar, UNDP India, wrote:

I do think that all the themes are interesting, but in case it is decided to look at migration (and we should look at the Global Commission Report as a building block provided a draft is made available), I would also suggest a) having some clarity on what we understand by "migration" as distinct from labour mobility in general, b) have an analytics that focuses on what drives the "demand" for migration (requirements of international capital which is able to tap labour markets as part of global and regional commodity chains in an inter-linked world system) and what drives the "supply" (poverty, conflict, social oppression - the 21st century equivalent of "stadtluft macht frei", relative deprivation/ reference group, "job rent", kinship-triggers -- and I am sure there would be other variables). From what I remember from graduate school days, there are several good journals on migration and people like Alejandro Portes, Bob Bach - a contributor to HDR 2004 and many others may have more salient things to say or contribute. And of course, migration could also include looking at nomad groups/ societies, transhumance (graziers, shephers,etc.), and here, for instance the Roma HDR may offer some insights - I really like that Report, and wish in India we could have such a Report on social groups like the Banjaras, Banchhara, Bhedia, etc.

We have carried out one study in Rajasthan, which argues that conventionally "migration" is seen as a problem that rural development programmes are supposed to check. However, for poor people it is the key (and sometimes only) survival strategy. The survey indicates that people/households who migrate do not seem to have great confidence in government-sponsored schemes for employment generation, and even if they were to work on any of these schemes, they would still migrate after that because the "lean season" where there are no economic opportunities within the village now extends for a larger part of the year. I do know that in villages of Central India, "Chait katana" (or spending the month of Chaitra) as synonym for migration is no longer confined to the month of Chaitra, but covers almost 7-8 months in the year. It has been argued, therefore, that it may be useful to explore ways and means of making migration more humane, by setting up migrations support centres or kiosks that offer legal and economic counseling, as also ICT-based solutions. The study itself has been placed on our website, and its URL is: http://hdrc.undp.org.in/resources/dis-srs/Aajeevika/Aajeevika.pdf.

I would not wish that the discussion on the theme selection should be pre-empted. Indeed, discussion on all the themes is quite stimulating, especially for a "lurker" such as myself who has learnt a lot from all the NHDR-network discussions -- it is the best network IMHO. I have tried to offer some points in case “migration” is the theme selected.

With best wishes to the colleagues in the HDRO and of course all the NHDR-network members

Suraj Kumar
National Programm Officer, HDRC
UNDP India

Barbara Piazza-Georgi, UN coordination advisor, Morocco, wrote:

I would like to add my vote to John's (Ohiorhenuan). Migration and water resources might be the best of the subjects listed, but frankly, I was not quite satisfied when I read the list. "Employment and sustainable livelihoods in a globalizing era" would be far better. This problem was always "mainstreamed" in the HDRs, especially in 1993, 1996 and 1999 - but we have never addressed it head-on, and as John said, given the far-reaching changes in the global situation, it is high time to tackle this vital subject seriously. It is simply not drawing the special attention and new thinking that it deserves - "conventional wisdom", that it is enough to focus on GNP growth and employment will automatically follow, still rules.

John Stiglitz wrote on this subject in his usual brilliant and provocative way a few years ago, suggesting a radical change from GNP-focused economics to a primary focus on employment, and showing that the two aims do not always coincide - in fact, they can be theoretically shown to be in contradiction with each other under some circumstances.

This subject is perhaps particularly timely in the light of what is happening nowadays on the world economic development policy scene.

Barbara Piazza-Georgi
UN coordination advisor, Morocco

Dinora Azimova, UNDP Uzbekistan, wrote:

Dear Kevin!

Dear Net workers!

I assume that Migration and Ageing issues are interconnected, and you should not analyze one of them avoiding the other. Some demographers and economists recommend an increase in immigration in order to balance the consequences of birth rate recession and population ageing. For example, the deficit of human labor in Japan is compensated by an increase of the number of foreigners (including descendants of former Japanese emigrants from Brazil), who might be accepted in the country. In the period from 1985 till 1995 the number of foreigners, who resided legally in Japan increased by 60 percents, and the number of illegal foreigners has increased more than twice.

The globalization of capital flows and trade causes unprecedented changes in the fate of less developed countries as the flows of investments might quickly cause an unstable economy and consequently flow out of it. This, in turn, inspires both internal and external migration. Due to the increasingly informal character of the economy in many countries in the East and West, the interaction between irregular employment and irregular (seasonal) migration has amplified.

In the 21st century this international population shift is of an unknown scope, confronting also more advanced states with a complex of difficult and multiple problems. The inability of immigration authorities to impose insuperable obstacles against undesirable immigrants, and to ensure effective integration of the immigrants in accepting large communities of different ethnicity, does require new approaches and new tools of immigration policies.

Ageing and migration are relevant issues especially because of growing labor migration. Labor migrants constitute a cheap working force, many of them are knowledgeable enough and they are of good health, otherwise they would not take the risk of temporary migration. The sending countries take care of all educational and health care expenses, while the harvest of those expenditures is collected in the receiving states. We use to talk about migrant’s remittances, but we never talk about the added value to the GDPs of receiving countries by using these cheap, young and healthy workers. However, facing health problems, older labor migrants intend to go back home, where national health care system and family support will help them to recover or cope with their illness.

This is the issue, which should be considered while discussing migration and ageing.

Global Human Development reports use to emphasize issues of the developing world, and one of the features of poor countries is high birth rates, which is later balanced by labor migration.

Therefore, my proposal is to unify both themes in one report.

Yours truly,

Dinora Azimova
Human Development Coordinator
UNDP, Uzbekistan

Faatoia Malele, Samoa NHDR Project, wrote:

Dear Scholars & Architects of Global NHDR Theme

All Theme proposals presented up to date are appropriate. We are now on the 16th year of this global venture, and wonder, can we just divert once, or revisit the unseen yet motivating – the inner forces of soul, body and mind. Religion, despite its variety, diversity and multiplicity, can sachet while enlighten all our aspirations, faith and well-hopes.

Faatoia Malele
Samoa NHDR Project

Fred Mwathengere, UNDP Malawi, wrote:

I would also like to vote for MIGRATION because it has been a cause of increased capacity erosion, especially in the least developed countries. In addition, migration is also the major determinant of the HIV and AIDS spread. Understanding the causes and consequences of migration might assist governments

Kind Regards

Fred Mwathengere
UNDP Malawi

Serdar Bayriyev, UNDP Turkmenistan, wrote:

Dear Colleagues:

I am supporting the theme of Ageing. This is a core human development issue. Consideration of the causes of ageing requires an analysis of such diverse factors as improved health services, living standards, awareness of family planning concepts, reduced fertility, improved social safety nets etc. These issues are very closely related to the analysis of human well-being. The Ageing theme allows to extend the analysis beyond the issues of senior citizens, and to include issues concerning decision-makers in general, such as:

- Retirement systems and maybe the most critical issue the sustainability of traditional pension systems;
- Age discrimination in the labor market;
- Gender balance of ageing population and associated issues;
- Family relations and quality/availability of senior citizens care systems;

Best regards,

Serdar Bayriyev
UNDP Turkmenistan

Raissa Muhutdinova, UNDP Bangladesh, wrote:

Dear Colleagues:

Let me join my voice to discussion of the subject for the next HDR. Many of you have spoken in favor of “Migration”. This indeed is a very important issue and should be a subject of the HDR, however not this time. “Migration” with all its importance is not the burning issue of the day, while the subject “Crises/Disasters and Human Development” is the most urgent topic now, which has tendency to become quite alarming issue in future. To understand why this issue is so important let’s look at the definition of disaster: “Disaster is a serious disruption of the function of society, causing widespread human, material or environment losses, which exceed the ability of affected society to cope on its own resources”. The disasters can instantly deplete years of development. Just call back recent tsunami and quakes, which devastated many countries across the continents.

Recent natural calamities have proved to exert an enormous toll on development. In doing so, they pose a significant threat to prospects for achieving the Millennium Development Goals in particular because “impact of disasters is closely related to poverty, health care and hygiene, environment, education and gender” (Reference: 20th Century Asia Natural Disaster Databook). It should be noted that impact of disasters is an issue of concern not only in the developing countries, but also in the developed world. It is a problem without borders. Therefore, I would argue that: “it is of paramount importance to analyze disaster trends in relation to variables of sustainable development, mainly human development and economic factors of the countries...”. (ADRC-Natural Disasters Data book, 2003)

I am therefore anxious to see the theme of “Crises/Disasters and Human Development” in the agenda for the next Human Development Report.

Best wishes to all

Raissa Muhutdinova
UNDP Bangladesh

Djibrina Barry, UNDP Togo, wrote:

TRANSLATED MESSAGE

Dear all,

First of all, I would like to congratulate the Human Development Report Office for this mode of consultation on the topic of the HDR 2006.

I am voting for “Averting a Water Crisis” and I would like to briefly explain the reasons behind my vote. A potable water crisis is already here. Many countries on all continents are affected by this crisis, which constitutes the main constraint to development in these countries. As there is enough water in the world in absolute terms, the main problem lies in good management of these water resources. Therefore, this question needs to be discussed at a global level, and not just at national levels. It is a field where UNDP could offer substantial added value by capitalizing on the results of “Global Public Goods” discussions, water being at the center of this concept.

Kind regards,

Djibrina Barry
UNDP Togo

ORIGINAL MESSAGE

Bonjour tout le monde. Je voudrais féliciter le bureau du rapport pour ce mode de consultation sur le choix du thème du rapport 2006.

Pour ma part, je vote pour le thème « prévention des crises de pénurie d’eau » et je voudrais par ce court message indiquer le sens de ce vote. La crise de l’eau potable est déjà là. De nombreux pays de tous les continents y sont confrontés et ceci constitue la principale contrainte lourde à leur développement. Puisque dans l’absolu il y a assez d’eau dans le monde, cela signifie que la problématique est celle de la bonne gestion des ressources en eau. Cette question ne peut être appréhendée qu’au niveau mondial et non celui d’un pays. C’est un domaine ou nous pouvons apporter une valeur ajoutée substantielle en capitalisant les résultats des réflexions en cours sur le concept de « biens publics mondiaux », l’eau devant être au centre de ce concept.

Meilleures salutations,

Djibrina Barry
UNDP Togo

Alexander Aboagye, UNDP Mozambique, wrote:

Dear Kevin,

I had earlier voted for "Access to basic services: health, education, water and sanitation”. These are clearly core to the MDGs and they tend to show very direct and clear link with human development and with the HDI in particular. I guess I will still stand by it. The outcome will have many important policy implications as we get nearer to 2015. The outcome of the HDR analysis, nearly 10 years from 2015 may be helpful and definitely help re-direct government policies.

It is true that almost everything is related to everything, it is very hard to stretch the link between HD or HDI and Migration. In fact the linkage is indirect. It is what one might call a second stage type of linkage between the two. It will definite lead to an excessive attempt to show a strong link between migration and human development, when it does not seem too obvious. Not all form migration represent an important strategy for the poor from poor countries to improve their incomes hence their human development.

In short, what I am saying is that despite the brief write-up intended to show the link between migration and human development, the analysis ought to make it clear from the outset that the links are rather indirect.

This leads to the second problem of data. Large volumes of migration may or may not have any impact on human development. In Africa, the large scale migration is not adequately recorded. Unrecorded migration would mean that a large part of the African experience may be overlooked. Definitions have to be clear as well. Who is the migrant? How does one distinguish that from the current massive brain drain and an increasing number who are settling in other countries? Information on the migrants may also not be available.

I guess I better not raise more questions than answers.

Kind regards.

Alexander
UNDP Mozambique

Jean de Dieu Kayiranga, UNDP Kigali, Rwanda, wrote:

Following the online vote on the theme for the 2006 HDR, I think “Access to basic services: health, education, water and sanitation” would make a very important and useful theme to tackle the problems that poor countries are facing today.

In fact, access to basic services is a pre-requisite for poor countries to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Therefore a deep study into the matter will raise the conscience of these countries to measure their status towards achieving the MDGs and they could compare their development vis-à-vis other countries. The report will awaken many governments in the area of health (HIV and other infectious diseases (MDG6), Child mortality (MDG4), Maternal Health (MDG5), the area of Education (MDG2&3), Natural Resources Management (MDG7) and the impact they all have on world’s efforts to eradicate poverty (MDG1). The report may discuss as well how the world has done so far to build global partnerships for development to respond to the need of accessing to basic services and where they have failed to do so. Again this will help the international community (donor community, financial institutions, etc.) to revisit their way of assisting developing countries and committing to what they have pledged to do at the Millennium Summit.

Kind regards,

Jean de Dieu Kayiranga
Information and Public Relations Officer
UNDP Rwanda

Asrat Tilahun, UNDP Ethiopia, wrote:

Thank you very much for giving me the chance to suggest some points on the subject of MIGRATION. My points are the following:

• Please focus on Africa - especially women migrates;
• Please also give one dedicated chapter to the migrates of Africa their contribution towards the development of Europe and USA by putting facts since the time of slavery;
• Please try to discuss issues on the immigration policies of the developed world towards the migrates of Africa, Asia;
• Migration and color also be discussed by putting the current situation with regard to the Arabian migrates, African and Europeans, how they are treated in the developed world;
• Migration treatment because of natural disaster, man made disaster - please be focused in the natural disaster than the man made since the later one could be controlled.

Best Regards,

Asrat Tilahun
Public Relation Associate
UNDP Ethiopia

Quazi Malek, UNDP Uganda, wrote:

I have just now submitted a suggested theme for the 2006 HDR. I have suggested that Global Governance be the chosen theme. Or, we could probably also call it the World Order theme. I appreciate that it may be a scary suggestion for many reasons, but it cannot be denied that it is at the core of the development challenges for many countries in these days of the Globalized Economy.

I believe the HDR team should try to develop a World Order Index for each country. This should measure the extent to which the various international systems (e.g. the international monetary & fiscal system, the international trading system, the international banking and insurance system, etc. – i.e. the existing world order) obstruct or hinder the development outcomes of these countries. In short, my hypothesis is that the so called 'third world' countries could achieve much better rates of growth and development had the world order been designed to allow for fairer global pricing structures and more equitable control over the world's resources.

At the base of it all are, of course, deep philosophical questions like 'Do the powerful in the world really believe that the powerless have equal rights over the resources of the world?' 'How are rights established in the first place anyway?' 'Do the powerful really believe that all are born equal in the eyes of God?’, etc. I realize that the philosophical questions may too far away for the purposes of the HDR, but the question of the effect of the world order on the development efforts of so many countries should certainly be within the HDR's scope. I will very much appreciate any feedback/comments on my suggestion.

Best regards.

Quazi Malek
UNDP Uganda

Philippe Rouzier, UNDP Haiti, wrote:

About ‘services’ as the subject of the next HDR

Actually the CO of Haiti is working on the idea of an NHDR-2006 based on services; either as pure public goods or as derived public goods, namely services conditioned by the phenomenon of congestion. It is clear that if I had to choose among the subjects submitted to us I would definitely choose the ‘Services’ as it would give a clear linkage with what we are doing, and would give to all a clear signal of a continuity in the thinking of the practical side of the Human Development concept preoccupied by people.

The subject is important for Haiti as this is a country marked by profound divergences around the formation and the appropriation of the first rights, starting as far as 1804. In the 21st century, many Haitians are still denied the possibility to enjoy certain rights (example of the civilian acts or birth certificates that are not delivered to the largest part of the Haitian population). Up to now, the political process did not bring any change in the relations between the State and the citizen.

This reflects on the services that are offered to the households. Normally services reinforce the family economics: education and health for example foster improvements in the acquisition of capabilities that are useful in the labor market. However, these social goods are not available in Haiti as the State is badly administered when it is not administered at all. At the local governance level in particular the lack of services that should have been close to people is evident; only the Police force has been present for some time. Even if there is actually a growing number of organizations, including NGOs that provide various services, their actions are not articulated at all with public policies. That is to say that local authorities are not yet in charge of a local public sector. Demand for collective goods exits as for example for electricity, water, schooling, employment… but the State remains weak and does not guarantee the fundamental rights.

The subject is of extreme importance and in my view is one that has been put aside for too long.

Best regards

Philippe Rouzier
UNDP Haiti

Bjoern Rongevaer, SURF-AS Team, wrote:

Dear Kevin,

SURF-AS has held an open and extensive internal discussion on what should be the theme for the global HDR in 2006.

SURF-As team discussed this issue during its last meeting. We reached some common views as following:

1. Migration is our common first choice.

2. Water Crisis slightly follows as our second choice.

3. The team also endorsed the proposition of another theme for the 2007 HDR, which is “Reinventing the Human Development Paradigm”.

The rationale for these choices follows.

I. MIGRATION

(1) Is it a core human development issue?

Migration is a global social phenomenon that is strongly integrated in the core issues of human development. It is not nor county, nor region specific nor have a "strong technical or specialized aspect".

The transnational migratory networks that are developing today in the world today reveal a double dynamic: a globalization of the migratory system by the presence of new immigrants from outside regions/countries and a regional integration from below that transcends state borders and rely on religious, ethnic, and communitarian solidarity. Globalization, the Eastward expansion of the European Union; increased migratory routes where migrants from South-Asia or Africa settle in route or transit towards Western countries and civil wars and regional conflicts have increased the influx of migrants and refugees.

Migration also entails many types and underlying reasons; internal/external; forced/voluntary, for economic or security or political reasons…etc. Its effects are very broad and have nor been properly seized yet, and leads to the necessity of redefining migration itself in a globalizing world.

Redefining migration: The issues of gender, citizenships, labor regulations, urban planning, national planning, security, territorial rights, national identities definition, outside forces redefining and reshaping the composition of populations etc. and many other issues are urgently needed to be addressed. This migration movement is increasing the number of “vulnerable groups.” which in fact should be integrated into redefining the concept of migration as to reflect these new realities. The definition must take also take into account gender and age sensitive.

2) Do we have something distinctive to offer through the human development framework?

Through our experts in Country offices and networks of researchers/resource persons that have been engaged in the formulation of national human development reports; we have the expertise to cover the following analytical issues:

• Migrants commercial and cultural activities
• Collection of data on the crossroad cities" that supports the existence of regional transnational networks.
• South-North migrations linking up spaces belonging to distinct cultural areas,
• Intra-regional dimension of transnational practices.
• The permanence of refugee movements
• Short term labor migration or the pattern of temporary labor migrations -- the role of economic factors and the push & pull theory.
• The role that migrants’ networks play which in many cases circumvents state and/or economic logic. The long-term settlement of these new migrant communities creates favorable conditions for the development of transnational practices.
• The developed unique adaptations (residential distribution, new economic and cultural activities, development of trade, etc.) to their host space,
• Examine the movements of asylum seekers, refugees and the increase in illegal migration that may push us to reconsider the notion of borders and to address in a more comprehensive way the role of the state in shaping migrants' networks, and bringing the state back in most of these analyses.
• Return migrations of certain groups toward their places of origin and the transnational links that are developed between migrants' return destinations and their previous countries of residence.

3) Is it an area in which we can make a difference in terms of challenging existing policies and identifying new ones?

In covering the above themes we can provide solid analysis and recommendations to policy makers in the various regions of the critical issues and dimensions to address. Population movements are now affecting all regions such as: Europe (with the expansion of the EU), in the Arab world (which is struggling with issues of refugees, internally displaced, labor migrants, outward immigration, etc.) and in other regions experiencing an influx of migrants, asylum seekers, temporary migrants, etc.

In some areas the value added is more important. Among these areas:

a. Gender /Migration: vulnerable groups

Migration brings demographic profile changes and affects the gender roles in the society: often it is men and oldest boys which leave women behind to tackle all the responsibilities of the family unit. Social networks maybe disrupted and destroyed-changes in family structure and composition may occur. Survival strategies often necessitate changes in the gender division of labor. On the issue of migration/citizenship: often vulnerable groups are marginalized and have poorer access to the means to actualize their entitlements.

b. Migration, cultures, and social integration.

The mobility of population is creating serious problems related to security, politics, international relations, human rights, and social integration in host countries as well in countries of origin. It seems that the current policies are maybe too administrative and security driven, and not so efficient. A new perspective is needed to deal with this issue from an alternative pint of view.

4) Linkages between the global HDR and NHDRs

The study of issues of migration cannot be undertaken without reliance on databases, analysis, qualitative and quantitative research that has been undertaken at the national level. In addition, the impact of migration and population movements has affected the dynamics within each country and impacted on its socioeconomic and political developments.

II. WATER CRISIS

1) Is it a core human development issue?

Access to clean water and sanitation is a basic human right as reflected in the WSSD/MDG targets. The Arab States region is considered one of the most water stressed regions in the world. This stark reality was captured in the Arab Human Development Report 2002, which has elaborated the elements of a water strategy that stresses the need for management of water resources in a far more integrated manner. The per capita share of renewable water resources is currently less than 500 cubic meters per year in about 70% of Arab countries (versus a world average of 7,500). More than 65% of renewable water resources are transboundary and originate outside the region. About 50 million people lack access to safe drinking water and about 80 million people lack access to proper sanitation in the Arab region. The region is subject to intense and recurrent drought which increases the vulnerability of the poorest and most marginalized, who rely primarily and natural resources for their livelihoods.

2) Do we have something distinctive to offer?

With the strengthening of its Water Team (Sub-Practice) and a global, UNDP has a lot to offer in this area. UNDP’s priorities can be summarized as follows:

a) Improving national and local water resources management for poverty reduction and sustainable development;

b) Increasing access to adequate and safe water supply and sustainable sanitation for the poor;

c) Promoting cooperation on shared water resources and global water challenges;

d) Gender mainstreaming in water governance; and

e) Capacity development for Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM).

3) Can we make a difference?

Yes, we can through our global water partnerships (Global Water Partnership, World Water Assessment Programme, Community Water Initiative/GEF Small Grants Programme, Cap-Net, etc.). UNDP is also a member of UN Water which is a mechanism for coordinating United Nations system activities on the Millennium Development Goals concerning freshwater, and the water-related decisions adopted at the World Summit on Sustainable Development. UN Water facilitates synergies and joint actions between UN agencies and other partners to provide effective support to countries in their efforts to achieve the MDGs. UNDP can – and should - help programme countries in leveraging financial resources for the achievements of water-related MDGs.

III. REINVENTING THE HD CONCEPT

For the HDR in 2007 we would strongly suggest to consider reviewing the HD concept after more than 15 years of the publication of the first HDR. We believe it is about time to deal with the erosion of this concept/paradigm. "Re-inventing the Human Development paradigm" might be a pertinent subject for global discussion and a global HDR.

SURF-AS Team
Beirut 4/4/2005

Dasa Silovic, UNDP/BDP/Poverty Reduction Group, wrote:

Dear Colleagues,

UNDP BDP Poverty Reduction Group is finalizing a paper on ageing and implications for development. This is being done in collaboration with HelpAge International. We are looking at ageing through the broader prism of disaggregation to inform poverty reduction strategies and social inclusion and foster participatory processes.

Ageing occupies connecting chambers within the development landscape, interacting with global patterns in labor and capital markets, governmental pensions, services, and traditional support systems, all of which are further shaped by technological change and cultural transformations. Falling fertility and morbidity rates and generally rising life expectancy mean that populations are ageing and this growth is very rapid in the least developed countries (LDCs) where two-thirds of the world’s population over 60 already lives. According to the World Population Prospects 2002, the proportion of the total worldwide population 60+ will increase from 7.7 % in 2000 to 19.7% in 2050, and in the period 2001-2015 only in China by 46.5% (42 million) and India by 52 % (27 million) HDR 2003.

Diverse forms of economic and social vulnerability are at the core of generic problems faced by older people in every society. Discrimination and poverty-induced vulnerability relate to income and employment insecurity, poor health and impact of chronic diseases, inadequate shelter or homelessness, lack of care and protection, abuse and violence and economic, social and political discrimination. These issues are compounded often by the absence of even minimal safety nets and functioning security systems and the lack of basic social service, indispensable for the achievement of the MDGs and poverty reduction.

We hope to distribute the paper soon.

Best

Daša Šilovic
Policy Adviser, Aid Coordination & Management
BDP, Poverty Reduction Group

Paula A. Mohamed, UNDP Barbados and the OECS, wrote:

I voted for MIGRATION as theme for the 2006 global HDR earlier. The Economist article referred to below illustrates the significant impact and drain on high skills capacity of smaller states. A number of Caribbean SIDS, representing differing SIDS development issues, head the list of high migration to OECD countries. The migration issue has a direct relationship on the capacity building focus and work of UNDP, as it has the potential to continuously and negatively erode the inputs and results of UNDP's support in all sectors of development. The focus of the report should be to review of migration impact on key development sectors within UNDP areas of thematic focus. This type of analysis will facilitate innovation required for the implementation of programming solutions e.g. inclusion of diaspora inputs in UNDP development programming.

GRADUATE EMIGRATION
Mar 31st 2005
“ Guyana loses a greater proportion of its high-skilled workforce to OECD countries than any other non-member nation, the OECD reports. It finds that 83% of the country's graduates now live in an OECD country. Size is the best predictor of emigration. Smaller countries, especially African and island nations, send a higher proportion of their graduates to the OECD. Big ones, such as Bangladesh, keep most of theirs.”

See this article with graphics and related items at http://www.economist.com/markets/displayStory.cfm?story_id=3817068

Paula A. Mohamed
Governance Programme Manager
UNDP Barbados and the OECS

Rebeca Arias, UNDP Barbados and the OECS, wrote:

Dear Kevin and colleagues,

I would support “Migration” as the theme for the next year’s global HDR. Migration has become a key development issue for many countries around the world. It would be important to look at the impact of migration on the economies of developing and developed countries as well as on the social and family structures, cultural values and politics. While the “brain drain” has a negative impact on developing countries, it is necessary on the other hand to look at the positive aspects, and in particular to the remittances from migrant workers, which has become an important source of foreign currency earnings for some countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, representing in some cases 15-20% of GDP. It would be interesting to analyze the impact of migration on poverty reduction. To what extent developing countries are taking into account their migrant populations and their current and potential contribution in the development planning process is an issue that needs to be addressed, identifying good practices that can be shared globally.

Best regards,

Rebeca Arias
Deputy Resident Representative
UNDP Barbados and the OECS

Abdul Hannan, UNDP/ Operations Support Group, wrote:

Dear Colleagues,

‘Migration’ as a topic seems to have struck a chord with many colleagues. Some have rightly sought to extend the boundaries of the issue to bring the possibilities of a development dividend into view. Whatever the causes of migration might be, the opportunities it now presents could offer a useful focus of attention. So the subject holds promise, but only if it is extended in the directions that are being suggested.

Below is something that pushes the notion of migration to encompass ‘Diaspora opportunities’. I drafted this about eight months ago for a Board document. Though most of it ended up on the cutting room floor (for the greater good of course), I hope it can offer some food for thought on the subject for those interested. With best regards,

Abdul Hannan
Program Specialist
UNDP/ Operations Support Group

Diaspora opportunities

Conservative estimates indicate that around 200 million people migrate overseas every year and still more are descendants of people who, for a variety of reasons, have settled away from their countries of birth. A significant proportion of these people are motivated by powerful sentiments and pragmatic interests to maintain ties with their homelands. Only in recent years has the full potential of these ties been recognizes outside the migrating households and communities themselves. This is evidenced by the figures: in 2002, an estimated US$150 billion in formal and informal remittances were transferred by migrants to developing countries.[1]

While some countries have established sophisticated programs to facilitate ties with their Diaspora, many countries have yet to focus on the opportunities presented by their expatriate populations and their descendants. The implications for growth, development and integration into a globalized world are vast and are gradually attracting more attention from policy makers in South and North alike. [2]

Two dimensions of the Diaspora relationship with home countries are of interest here. These are:

• Remittances. Remittances are part of the human face of globalization. Money is typically directed towards families and extended kinship groups in developing countries for private consumption, health and education, with some spin off social benefits. Many countries in the South, including least-developed countries, have decades of experiences with remittances and have sought to both facilitate and tap the flow of foreign currency for, inter alia, public projects. While flows of remittance can be increased by reducing transaction costs and simplifying processes, linking remitting populations with viable investment opportunities can create new vectors of economic activity with benefits that go far beyond household consumption.
• Circulating émigré resources. The out-migration of skilled populations from the South comes with a cost but has also become a matter of special promise. The haemorrhage of educated people, popularly referred to as the ‘brain drain’, has long affected all regions of the South in all walks of life. [3] Developing countries must contend with the loss but also actively consider the gains to be derived from tapping the expertise, experience and cultural bridges that expatriate communities can offer. The positive potential of circulating émigré resources has greater currency today because of the importance of knowledge-based economies.

Underlying this thinking is an understanding that transnationality is replacing fixed notions of emigration and return. As developing countries seek to capitalize on the talents and resources of their migrant communities, an approach that is based on a fluid Diaspora model is more likely to yield benefits than alternatives based on a strategy of retention and/or return. Integrating past and present citizens overseas into a web of rights, opportunities and obligations can help to amplify the benefit to home countries and communities in the South.

The following paragraphs outline some strategic considerations to help developing countries capitalize on the potential of their Diaspora.

Increasing remittance flows and diversifying benefits

The volume of global remittances indicates a powerful desire among sending populations to affirm their ties to receiving countries. With 15,000 money remittance corridors criss-crossing the world today, the already huge flow is forecast to grow to US$177 billion in 2006. This is in spite of major obstacles, including economic downturns in sending countries, the high cost of transferring money, and the lack of information available to senders and receivers on available options. Poorer migrants, who comprise the majority of remitters and who remit the largest volume of money in aggregate terms, sometimes do not have bank accounts and receivers do not always have access to appropriate or transparent financial services, nor the infrastructure to help them access and use remittance. The investment potential of remittance in, for example enterprise development, is only now being considered. Therefore, both in terms of volume and application, the benefits of remittance can be amplified considerably to serve the pursuit of human development.

The focus of […] should therefore be to share best practices, facilitate effective collaboration and build expertise by:

• Increasing awareness of the potential impact of remittances for development;
• Building partnerships with financial service providers to lower costs;
• Improving technology and other infrastructure used in cross-border transactions;
• Increasing access to basic financial services to the world’s poor; and
• Educating individuals and institutions in both sending and receiving countries on approaches to cheaply and easily transfer funds.

[…] is well placed to stimulate cooperation between various stakeholders (including governments, private companies, non-government organizations and intergovernmental bodies). As part of the United Nations system, it can help build the trust and the collaborative arrangements necessary to drive an international effort to reduce costs, increase security and efficiency, and diversify the application of remittances for development.

Circulating émigré resources

Out-migration can result in a decrease in human capital stock, especially when it involves people with professional skills. This loss can lead to reduced growth and productivity and fiscal losses because of heavy investments in subsidized education. Students educated at government expense or from private sources, often in the North, constitute a further drain when they do not return to their countries of origin. Remittances can taper off over time as ties with home sending countries become weaker. The outflow of skilled people can affect the quality of essential services in health and education. Policy choices facing countries in the South include those that promote: (i) retention of skilled people in the home country; (ii) return of skilled people from overseas; and (iii) circulation of expertise between countries of origin and settlement.

While some developing countries may wish to devote attention to retention and return, few developing countries can easily create the conditions conducive to retention and return in the short and medium term. Furthermore, there is a potential conflict between retention and return on the one hand, and remittance on the other. For these reasons,

[…] can focus on the circulation of expatriate expertise as its strategic entry point.

[…] can facilitate the sharing of best practices that enable the circulation of expatriate expertise already operating successfully in the South. [4] In this way, the dynamics that give rise to the brain drain can be re-channeled to create brain gains, investment and other benefits, by means of the following:

• Promoting country linkages with Diaspora through Diaspora networks, focusing on both established professionals as well as the students and early-career professionals;
• Fostering incentives to attract expatriate investment, including responsive governance, e-governance and e-commerce solutions, transparency, human rights and human security. Special attention will be given to present opportunities to invest in enterprises in Africa and least-developed countries;
• Advocating dual citizenship for émigré communities, Diaspora recognition programs and related policy measures to enable networking and circulation of expertise; and
• Increasing the emphasis on, and providing support to, research and development and centers of excellence.

The benefits of such a program can reinforce the growth and development prospects of countries in the South in direct and indirect ways. Apart from the inflow of financial investment and foreign exchange, technological and commercial benefits can help developing countries leapfrog into the information economy. [5] This investment can, in turn, stimulate further investments in domestic education, technological transfer and venture capital projects. Cross-cultural traffic can also create a basis for further interaction for both sender and host countries, whether the countries concerned are in the South or North.

In addition to the more tangible and direct benefits of sourcing expatriate expertise and investment, developing countries in the South can capitalize indirectly from more actively engaging and leveraging their émigré communities. Expatriates can form a cultural bridgehead and commercial network that can serve to amplify the profile and outreach of developing countries in the global marketplace. They can be an essential resource for the South, especially for Africa and least-developed countries, which must contend with acute human resource constraints.

[2] Countries like the Philippines are recognized world leaders on remittance issues. The Inter-American Development Bank has been the pioneer in remittance programming, with a significant research and advocacy capacities in place. The DfID White Paper on international development, Eliminating World Poverty: A Challenge for the 21st Century, has recognized the value of émigré communities to development. It commits the government of the United Kingdom to build on the skills and talents of migrants and other members of ethnic minorities within the UK to promote the development of their countries of origin.

[3] Seventy per cent of Bangladeshis with engineering degrees leave Bangladesh within two years of graduation. Four out of five Jamaican medical practitioners find their way to north America to pursue their careers. Africa is hit hard by such outflows: 60,000 professionals, including doctors and university lecturers, left the continent between 1985 and 1990, with only limited numbers returning to their countries of birth.

[4] There are numerous examples of viable Diaspora networks. They include the Arab Scientists and Technologists Abroad, Colombian Red Caldas Network, Global Korean Network, Iranian Scientific Information Network, Philippines Brain Gain Network, South African Network of Skills Abroad, Thai Reverse Brain Drain Project and Tunisian Scientific Consortium.

[5] Parallel silicon valleys in Bangalore, Beijing, Mumbai, Shanghai and Taipei were facilitated by expatriate scientists: with ‘circulating’ emigrants bringing back valuable experience and know-how. Eighty to 90 per cent of Chinese and Indian Silicon Valley emigrant professionals who have business relations with their home countries travel back home five times or more each year.

Kamal Malhotra, UNDP/BDP/SDG, wrote:

Dear Kevin,

My ‘vote’ goes for migration. Apart from the other good reasons given by colleagues for this choice, it will allow the HDR to focus on the fundamental asymmetry in the current phase of globalization and contrast it with globalization in the 19th century when this asymmetry was not marked: that between the free movement of capital and labor and the increasing constraints that the free movement of unskilled labor in particular place on human development possibilities. It is also rich in political economy implications.

This area links closely with issues of international cooperation, trade, security etc. and in that sense can be viewed as a logical follow up to the HDR 2005 theme.

The links with HD are clear- this issue affects both developing countries and rich countries and links them inextricably; it impacts on the issues of ageing, basic social services etc.

A distant second choice would be ‘water” but only if it treated from a political economy perspective and not as a technical issue.

Best regards,

Kamal Malhotra
UNDP/BDP/SDG

Ali-Mohamed Sinane, UNDP Comoros, wrote:

Dear Kevin,

I am adding my voice among others in favor of “migration” for the Global HDR 2006. This theme broadly defined -local, seasonal movements and international- is challenging vis-à-vis the concept of human development in a context of globalization. Migration which is not a new process should be viewed/analyzed at all levels (micro and macro) and all extremes:

• Forced migration in a particular context can lead to violence and insecurity;
• Lack of development and the strong impact of international remittances – defined as the share of remittances of the country GDP – on the reduction of poverty;
• Individual and deliberate strategies to leave home in search of better life etc...

Best regards.

Ali-Mohamed Sinane

Ram Shankar, UNDP Nigeria, wrote:

Dear Kevin:

Thanks for this opportunity to comment on next year’s global HDR. My vote, like many other contributors, is for the theme “migration” for the following reasons:

1. From a Nigeria / West Africa perspective, on one hand, there appears to be a great desire among the local / regional populace to migrate to Lagos. It is by far the biggest pull for those seeking more opportunities not just within Nigeria but also from numerous countries in West Africa. Of course, this has the inevitable side-effect of Lagos’ services being stretched thin. Crime is rampant. But, squalid living conditions and the increasing HIV/AIDS problems do not keep migrants away. On the other hand, there is also a great desire on the part of the populace to leave their respective countries from this region for supposedly greener pastures in the West. This is evidenced by constant stories in the press on visa, other scams that surface and also expressed when talking to them. All of these actions have varied yet in-depth effects on the development situation, as listed above.

2. UNDP’s work revolves around development effectiveness and finding the funds to finance our development programs. Recently, the World Bank’s Global Development Finance Report revealed that remittances sent home to developing countries in 2002 by migrant workers far exceeded finance from commercial banks or bilateral and IMF/World Bank assistance finance. Officially recorded migrants’ remittances reached $80 billion last year, up from $60 billion four years earlier. However, as a report noted, the real figure may be three times higher; migrants preferring, for reasons of speed, safety and cost, to remit savings through informal networks and relatives. The effect of these remittances need to be carefully analyzed, and especially its effects from a development context. I am wondering if there is a way by which this kind of money can be channeled in a more systematic way towards development aid programming. A detailed examination of this issue may bring out workable conclusions.

3. The role of an increasing vibrant Diaspora is very relevant in the development context. The Government of Nigeria has set up the Nigerians in Diaspora Organization to tap into the expertise, goodwill and financial magnanimity of the Nigerian Diaspora who wish to contribute to Nigeria’s planning and economy. A HDR theme on migration would be ideal to bring out recommendations on the manner in which Governments may use the skills of their respective Diaspora in development programming.

4. India and China are emerging examples of a trend in reverse-migration. Increasingly, members of the Indian and Chinese Diaspora have been drawn by a thriving economy, a hospitable environment for business and investment, and a stable economic and regulatory environment that are alluring features for them to return from Western countries back to their native homes, on a long-term and permanent basis! This is in many ways, an ideal situation. These two countries are creating an environment for this type of reverse-migration. The return of these migrants is in turn influencing the economy and the development situation in so many positive ways. I think that a HDR theme could examine this facet also with an express aim of determining how these examples may be replicated in other countries and how the energies of the returning population can be channeled towards more effective development programming.

5. Lastly, migration appears to strongly influence many of the other suggested themes – migration of young people in turn affects the age demographics and consequently, the level of provision of services for the aged; and migration certainly influences access to basic services.

So, for these reasons, migration would be a strong candidate for next year’s HDR!

Sincerely,

Ram Shankar
Program Specialist, UNDP
UNDP Nigeria

Luis Vargas Aybar, UNDP Peru, wrote:

Without any doubt, the four themes proposed by you deal with transcendent world reality topics. Nevertheless, the UNDP’s Peruvian team for the National Human Development Report (NHDR) thinks that the discussion on “averting a water crisis” through a Human Development viewpoint, would signify breaking new ground on a world debate and would lead the way to future investigations and perhaps even reorienting countries’ policies in both the third and first world. In that sense, the NHDR team places its vote in favour of discussing and analyzing the “aversion of water crisis”.

Sincerely,

Luis Vargas Aybar
Informe sobre Desarrollo Humano
PNUD-PERU

Bjoern Rongevaer, UNDP Lebanon, wrote:

Dear Kevin,

Further to your message of 22 March, UNDP Lebanon met and discussed the suggested themes for next year's global HDR. Migration and Averting a water crises caught our interest and seem to be more relevant for human development as seen from our region.

“Averting a water crisis” is given priority for the following reasons:

1) The Middle East faces many potential water crises and as a consequence, possible conflicts.

2) In this region many countries suffer from lack of water resources affecting development and peace.

3) Those countries that have water resources such as Lebanon need improvement in water management.

4) Although the subject is not new and a lot of research is available, UNDP's Human Development approach could add value and contribute to awareness.

Migration is also as we see it an interesting theme. The region represents an interesting case in terms of labor migration, forced migration etc. Migration widely impacts human development and is central to global partnerships and relations between developed and developing countries. With globalization and changing systems of production, distribution and trade, it becomes even more important.

Best regards,

Bjoern Rongevaer
Deputy Resident Representative
UNDP Lebanon

Richard Leete, UNDP Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam, wrote:

Dear Kevin

Thank you for inviting comments on the 2006 HDR theme. The proposals are safe in that they readily permit an empirical and analytical presentation related to key human development issues. However, while the process of demographic ageing is becoming an increasingly important social, health and economic issue, it may not be the right theme for the HDR. UNDP did not participate in the 2002 World Assembly on Ageing, and this topic was covered fairly comprehensively by UNFPA’s flagship report a few years back.

A less safe theme, perhaps more challenging, is partnerships, specifically, how meaningful partnerships can help achieve development progress. This topic is generally treated as cross-cutting but would be especially relevant in the post-tsunami context and following the upcoming GA debate on the MD.

Multi-actor partnerships are important in achieving development results. But systematic study, including best practices and failures, and the proper roles of the actors in meaningful partnerships, especially in facilitating the achievement of the MDGs, has not been undertaken. A partnership focus on the participation of government, the private sector, civil society and the multilaterals could also contribute to supporting UNDP’s operational activities. A report on this theme could, inter alia, examine the roles of:

(i) government in creating an enabling environment by reforming regulations and strengthening the rule of law, promoting human rights, providing a role for the private sector in the policy process, especially SMEs, facilitating access to broader financial options, assisting skill and knowledge development, maintaining sustainable basic services and promoting South-South cooperation.

(ii) business in channeling private sector initiatives into development. In 2003, 51 of the world’s biggest 100 economic entities were corporations rather than countries. Their business decisions have a greater impact on society and the environment than the decisions of some governments. We could create an index to name those playing a supportive role in sustainable development (and shame those not doing so), including through corporate social responsibility engagement, balancing the aim of making a profit for shareholders against the needs of other stakeholders in the marketplace, workplace, community and the environment.

(iii) civil society organizations in their advocacy role in bringing community and sensitive concerns into public and policy debates, championing human rights, assisting government in mobilising popular support and serving the poor and marginalised.

(iv) multilaterals in encouraging development reforms, recommendations of multilaterals embedded in national commitments and that countries are taken as equal partners in the decision-making processes.

Regards,

Richard Leete
UN Resident Coordinator
UNDP Resident Representative for Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam
UNFPA Representative Malaysia

Geoff Prewitt, UNDP/The Bratislava Regional Centre, Slovak Republic , wrote:

As the majority of individuals have endorsed migration as a possible theme, it seems that this may, indeed, be the focus of the next HDR and an interesting one at that being that globally over 100 million people currently live outside their country of birth. Thus far, however, respondents have tended to deliberate the negative aspects of migration. Whilst the harmful attributes of movement – particularly those pursuing illicit outcomes – are well documented, the HDR should provide judicious coverage to various positive facets of migration. As a structural phenomenon, the heavy social costs (i.e. – exploitation, brain-drain, loss of family cohesion, etc.) of migration should not be underestimated yet movement of labor and people have also contributed to cultural diversity, financial gain, remittances to country of origin, emancipation from repressive regimes, etc.

One other note, as already cautioned, the scholarly road to interpreting the influences and factors of migration has been well-trodden….ILO, IOM, OECD (the latter recently releasing its annual publication on trends in migration movements and policies in all OECD member countries and selected non-member economies), etc. Will it be a challenge to identify an unidentified human development angle?

Geoff Prewitt
SURF Europe and CIS

Maharaj Muthoo, Roman Forum, wrote:

All the topics provisionally put forward are important, but so far there seems a high voter support for Migration, maybe partly because it is worded so well in the incoming notes. However, it is doubtful whether it is at all a cause of low human development, rather than a manifestation that it may be under certain circumstances, such as the heavy push-effect rural-urban migration in elusive pursuit of jobs and shimmering lights, leading to burgeoning city slums with inhuman living conditions. Have tasted in-country conflicts and internal displacement, and dealt -together with dedicated IOM workers- with the issue of involuntary cross-country migration as a UN resident coordinator, it is noteworthy that almost always there were untoward HD consequences on the affected families and communities for no fault of theirs, and largely for want of effective national policies and international cooperation. Large scale internal migration (of all sorts and not merely rural-urban or seasonal, but also driven by landlessness, such as among the 30 million or more subsisting in the arid Northeast Brazil and tempted across to the Amazonian rainforest) notwithstanding, the numbers involved in the international arena are not that large, compared with those impacted by other aspects of primordial importance regarding HD, such as well over 800 million suffering from hunger.

Yet, migration is a topical issue in the current context of “globalization” that has been underway over millennia, but now seems to be moving at an accelerated pace. Economic refugees (and asylum seekers) across the borders are still small, but migration has become a phenomenon attracting attention in industrialized countries for reasons beyond their control, as for example recorded in the February 28th Times articles on immigration. One major reason other than ethnicity, religion and human rights issues for the delay in Turkish-EU accession dialogue is said to be the fear among many in the EU countries about the spate of Turkish youth that it would lead to (not noting the recourse taken to attracting millions of Turkish guest-arbeiters for reconstruction work in Germany). In spite of the bloated perception about immigrant arrivals, it has the potential to grow still further and in practice, on the one hand to fill in the growing gap for working population in ageing societies -be that in Europe or in southern China, and on the other hand to provide gainful jobs to “surplus” youth elsewhere -skilled and otherwise, thus matching supply and demand within and across borders. It could be almost like mutually beneficial trade (though currently subject to self-defeating rigged rules, which need to be straightened). Emigration from many, especially populated, countries thus need not be mere brain drain of severe consequences -as in certain situations such as those prevailing in the Caribbean, but also a catalyst for getting on to the global bandwagon of FDI, remittances and exports to fuel growth. Migration could indeed be an important futuristic topic, noting that globalization has come to stay, warts and all. But an in-depth analysis is warranted of the different types of, and norms about, migration, to envisage its diverse nature and scope, and to tailor policies to “smoothen” and “promote” it harmoniously for improved HD -globally and locally, and in the enlightened self-interests of all the stakeholders, including the recipient countries and communities.

Water is the other and even more important issue for me from the point of view of holistic HD. But given the launch of the water decade and so much diffuse debate underway, it may not appear an innovative issue, unless it receives in-depth attention in the HDR on addressing some of the main aspects. In that context I propose the relatively restricted topic of Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation (SDS). Needless to say that the lack of access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation is perhaps the world’s greatest humanitarian, social and developmental challenge. Global failure to manage water effectively and seriously hampers efforts to alleviate poverty worldwide and threatens progress in human development. The crisis is enormous in scale and in consequences, especially for the poorest of the poor. Next to the lack of adequate food and nutrition, the failure to provide SDS worldwide is simply a disgrace in a time of great wealth and technological capability. Water shortages and water quality degradation lead to water-borne diseases that kill or seriously harm more people on a global basis than any other health problem, even more than HIV/AIDS. In developing countries over 1.1 billion people lack access to safe drinking water, over 2.3 billion lack access to adequate sanitation, and as a result, 2 million deaths occur annually. 80% of all illnesses are water-related, and at any given time, half the population suffers from water-related diseases. Leadership is the missing imperative. Inertia at the political and bureaucratic levels, and a world population not fully aware of the scale of the problem, have led to a failure to take timely corrective action. The need is for bold, innovative leadership, commitment and political resolve.

Resolving the SDS crisis is expensive, but financially possible. A preliminary, conservative forecast indicates that the annual average cost to reach the sanitation goals will be US$ 9.5 billion, while the comparable estimate for safe drinking water is US$ 1.8 billion. At these levels of expenditure, the commitment, guidance and financial resources of the larger economies will obviously be needed. However, to put the challenge in perspective, this price tag is less than the annual expenditures in North America and Europe on pet food (ca. US$12-18 billion)! Despite the large cost, an analysis indicates exceptional returns on investment in SDS. Meeting the MDG sanitation target alone could garner an economic gain in the order of US$ 63 billion per year, with most of the benefits accruing in perpetuity. This is an average cost-benefit ratio of 6.6. The bulk of the economic value of the benefits is associated with time savings, primarily from closer access to sanitation and water, increased adult productivity and school days gained, and reduced diagnostic and treatment frequency. To a large extent, action can be mobilized in households and within communities that have an enormous vested interest in improving their health standards. SDS is a non-contentious though critical issue. Framed as a human health issue that threatens millions of lives, SDS can be presented to developed-country members as an act of enlightened self-interest and an investment in future economic growth, while in the developing countries, it should be seen as saving lives, reducing human misery and freeing up enormous economic growth potential. Implementation can be phased in, targets and milestones can be set in a transparent manner, thus challenging member states to plan explicitly and carefully. Progress can then be assessed annually and adjustments in strategy made to sustain progress. In the medium-term, other important aspects of the water crisis, such as water supply, integrated water resource management, trans-national water issues, water and peace issues can be dealt with more effectively once SDS is no longer such a ”suffocating” impediment to progress. The HDR could then choose to expand its engagement on those issues as part of its longer-term global vision for HD. In either case, a concrete global action plan should be country-based; have annual targets; address capacity development needs and financing in an explicit and planned manner; include transparent monitoring, assessment and reporting of progress; and be replicable from the community to the global level.

While I am willing to go with Migration as a pro-active HD topic of potentially growing importance and with Water and Sanitation as a critical issue of intrinsic import for HD, I am concerned that some of the long standing core HD issues have been missed so far from focused attention -the Agenda 21, WEHAB, MDGs and all that jazz notwithstanding. In that context, I would like to suggest the issue of Freedom from Hunger. Apart from the limits of the approaches adopted by the international community so far, it is the national policies for access to food that have yet to be developed and dealt with effectively in most of the countries afflicted by hunger. Otherwise how come that there are 260 million or more malnourished in India with surfeit of 60 million tons rotting in the granaries. And is it impossible to conceive that the pioneer of the world’s green revolution could face famine conditions if it stays on a business as usual basis, despite all the economic and technical tools at its hand (The Editorial Platform of one of the largest dailies -Hindustan Times of 28th September 2004 entitled Seeding India- says so explicitly next to the article of the visionary Prime Minister). Farm productivity remains there and elsewhere is low and land degradation is accelerating. International attention on farming has declined and aid has fallen by about two third in absolute terms of late eighties, which domestic investment has not replaced in most cases. No wonder farm output growth from 3 percent a year from 1975 to 1985 is around 1 percent since 1995. Unless there is priority given to food security and farm production revival, demand for labour and supply of food will be lesser still and poverty will persist. Africa is a case warranting special attention, both in terms of trade and aid for attaining food security largely through policies and practices for sustainable livelihoods, but South Asia alone could contribute soon and significantly to achieving the MDG on hunger if only it were to create an enabling policy environment to prevent people going to bed hungry. In addition to highlighting the grave consequences and causes of persistent hunger and malnutrition vis-a-vis HD, there is urgent need for charting a policy roadway and a monitoring mechanism for emergency action according to contexts in Africa, Asia and other afflicted parts. It would be a challenging opportunity for the HDR to take lead on the basic human need for adequate food and nutrition that remains unfulfilled and that should ideally be part of the HDI score card. As per the current trends, the goals of the two World Food Summits and of the MDGs are unlikely to be fulfilled, even though they are too modest, considering that there is little justification to leave the planet with millions of hungry people even beyond 2015. The analysis of the situation and the role of nations and civil society has to go beyond the report of the Hunger Task Force of the millennium project, which has the risk of remaining a paper tiger. Can we afford that?

Other topics that may be suggested for future consideration could include (i) Alternative Livelihoods and Employment, (ii) Urban and Peri-Urban nexus, (iii) Rural Development and Agriculture, and (iv) Power and Politics, respectively for reasons such as (i) the fundamental role of gainful employment and job creation in human development but lack of access to assets or limited support for self employment and entrepreneurial initiatives, (ii) the fast paced and unruly urbanization in the face of very vague policy and modest targets for improving shanty towns and slum dwellers, (iii) the massive rural poverty and overwhelming dependence on (inefficient local) agriculture exacerbated by poor global governance and unfair trade, and (iv) the lack of access to energy (and potential reliable renewable resources) for fuelling human development, largely involving state politics and corporate irresponsibility. I am not adding Trade and Environment, hoping that the existing incongruent interrelationships would be analyzed and exposed in the upcoming HDR, such as about TRIPS, the so-called carbon emissions trading and the compensation of communities on whom the stewardship of the earth’s biodiversity depends but remain extremely poor, uninformed and far from prevailing trading regimes.

Maharaj Muthoo
President, Roman Forum

Patrice Chiwota, UNDP/BDP/PRG, wrote:

Dear Kevin

I would like to propose that the focus of Global HDR 2006 be on “Disaster risk as a human development challenge”, and aim for the report to build on the lessons of the recent Tsunami and other recent disasters to hit the world.

Disaster Risk can be considered one of the biggest human development challenges confronting the world today, as recently demonstrated by the devastation caused by the Tsunami disaster of December 2004. Indeed, developing countries suffer the greatest costs when disaster hits: more than 95 percent of all deaths caused by disasters occur in developing countries; and losses due to natural disasters are 20 times greater (as a percent of GDP) in developing countries than in industrial countries (World Bank, 2004). Poorly planned development can turn a recurring natural phenomenon into a human and economic disaster, e.g. allowing dense populations on a floodplain or permitting poor or un-enforced building codes in earthquake zones is as likely as a natural event to cause casualties and losses. Similarly, allowing the degradation of natural resources increases the risk of disaster. Recent experiences with natural disasters indicate that the fight to eradicate poverty requires systematic provision of assistance to prepare for and recover from natural or man-made disasters that can result in great human and economic losses. The Global HDR could help to focus attention of the development community on adopting global, regional and national frameworks for action that call on states to put disaster risk at the center of political agendas and national policies. A major objective would be to raise awareness on the importance of mainstreaming disaster and risk management in development planning in order to build a culture of safety and resilience, reduce human suffering and economic losses caused by natural and technological disasters.

Much regard

Patrice Chiwota
UNDP/BDP/PRG

Vinetta Robinson, UNDP Ethiopia, wrote:

Dear Kevin/colleagues,

Thanks for inviting comments on the theme for next year's HDR, which so far has elicited a rich array of very sound comments.

There is no doubt that, depending on the focus of the analysis, all four suggested themes represent core human development issues and are in urgent need of new and innovative approaches to the policy debate that only the distinctive HD approach can offer.

I would, however, like to break ranks with HDRO and the rest of my colleagues and suggest the topic of choice should be one that puts the MDGs at front and centre of our debate. Are they not the core of HD? Do we not still need innovative ideas to address the challenges? Admittedly, with the MP's report, the SG's Report to the GA, Sachs’s book and the Blair Commission Report, one could argue that adequate coverage and attention is being given to this important global agenda, but more can only make the case better. It would seem to me, therefore, that “Access to Basic Services” comes nearest to this and should be re-worded and refocused to be our theme for the 2006 HDR. By placing it last on the list, am sure inadvertently, colleagues might not have gotten a chance to see how central this topic is to our work. As stated however, the topic seems outdated - too 1970s - and could be re-worded to make the link to meeting the MDGs. Could we say "Delivery of Basic Services to meet the MDGs” and by addressing this, make the link to out-migration from developing countries, improved income and the importance of additional ODA, at least in the medium term?

It appears that there is an emerging consensus that migration be the topic of choice and excellent arguments have been offered, including its link to ageing (albeit, in my view, that aging is principally an industrialized country phenomenon). If this is the case, and a final decision is taken to focus on it, then further, arguments can be made that migration is often a response to shortage of water and poor access to basic social services; so by addressing migration we could kill four birds with one stone, so to speak. But I would be unhappy and consider it a disservice to ourselves and the HD concept unless we made the link between migration and meeting the MDGs. as well as give equal emphasis to the positives - remittances for one, higher GNP for a second.

I look forward to learning of the final decision and as usual would like to contribute to the formulation of the report. I will also promote it vigorously when it is finalized.

Regards.

Vinetta Robinson
UNDP/Ethiopia

Lara Blanco, UNDP Costa Rica, wrote:

Dear Kevin,

Thank you for the opportunity so share our views about the topic for the 2006 Human Development Report. I am writing on behalf of the NHDR team of Costa Rica, and our vote goes to the theme of "Migration". In our opinion, the topic has advantages over the rest:

First of all, we think that being a global phenomenon that calls for a wide global dialogue, in-depth insights of the kind the Human Development Report can produce, would foster and prepare the ground for such a discussion to take place. Analyzing migrations means looking at issues of distribution at a global scale, and at how such differences are relevant for all countries. The topic has the potential of showing how deeply inter-connected we all are. Looking at the obstacles that migrating populations face, not only in their countries of origin, but also in recipient countries, can help clarify the nature and extent of the responsibility of States for the well being of the totality of the inhabitants of their territory.

The document can explore questions such as: What are the values and agreements that can, and must be advanced, to ensure compliance and respect for the human rights of migrants? How to promote tolerance in growingly diverse and complex societies?

Finally, if the topic is chosen, we think it is important to explore the dynamics between financial markets and remittances and to look at the issues of coherence between free trade and migration policies.

Best regards,

Lara Blanco
UNDP Costa Rica

Seraphin Njagi, UNDP Kenya, wrote:

Dear Kevin,

While all the themes are excellent and valuable topics for the HDR 2006, I would like to vote for "Ageing" as especially appealing. Many policy documents do not adequately reflect on the special needs for the "older persons" and often they do not ponder on options to create opportunities for the elderly. The glaring gap could be partly filled by addressing "Ageing" to spur debate on the subject.

Often the elderly in Africa also suffer the consequences of poverty. Also, with increasing deaths of younger people from the scourge of HIV/AIDS, the elderly, often the aged females bear the burden of caring for the orphaned children. Probably the report could groups of people by age, their needs and capabilities, and how policies could be made more sympathetic to areas of deficit. This could be a contribution in an area that if often neglected in national policy agenda.

Regards

Seraphin Njagi
UNDP Kenya

Anuradha Rajivan, Asia Pacific R-HDR Initiative, wrote:

Dear Colleagues,

My vote is also for Migration - internal and international, temporary and longer term. It is relevant for all countries. Much has already been said about this on the network.

But I would also like to add another choice - Water - a critical resource for the world that is equally relevant for more developed and less developed countries. There are drinking water issues, irrigation, desertification, flooding and other disasters, ground water depletion, surface water management, conjunctive use of surface and ground water, water quality, environmental issues, women's issues, issues for remote locations, for urban slums, health-IMR-mortality-morbidity, local and cross-boundary conflicts between upper and lower reach users...a very interesting, relevant-for-MDGs set of concerns of global interest.

Cheers!

Anuradha Rajivan
Asia Pacific R-HDR Initiative

Siaka Coulibaly, UNDP Cote d'Ivoire, wrote:

Dear Kevin,

Let me join this interesting discussion on choice of the subject for the HDR 2006. Most of voices tend to go to “Migration.” Even though I recognize that “Migration “ is becoming a global challenge, I would strongly vote for “access to basic services: health, education, water and sanitation” as a critical issue for poor countries’ development.

Access to basic services is at the core of the MDGs. Improving and facilitating this access to basic services could ameliorate living conditions and extricate poor and vulnerable population from the extreme poverty trap. Tens of millions of lives can be saved. Finally the topic is connected to many other issues, such as migration, water crisis, crisis/conflict and human development. It is now one of the most urgent to tackle.

Therefore, the report should analyze strengths and constraints, success and failures of different mechanisms of national and international development actors’ intervention in this area and bring alternative and innovative recommendations helpful for Governments to redefine policies and strategies for a better access to basic services.

Best regards

Siaka Coulibaly
National Economist
UNDP Cote d'Ivoire

Narine Sahakyan, UNDP Armenia, wrote:

Dear Kevin and Colleagues,

I would like to add my voice to those supporting the “migration” theme for the 2006 Human Development Report for a number of reasons. I believe migration is a more global social phenomenon than the others and it is indeed a core human development issue. Analyzing migration from a HD angle will add a new aspect to the economic and political perspectives of migration.

Migration is a very relevant problem for many developing countries and for Armenia especially, where around a million people emigrated after independence and where a total amount of remittances exceeds budget expenditures. In addition to a very important international migration the in-country migration also needs to be seriously analyzed and its economic and social implications have to be evaluated.

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to collaborate with the selection of the topic for 2006 HDR.

Best regards,

Narine Sahakyan
Portfolio Manager
UNDP Armenia

Tajeddine Badry, UNDP Morocco, wrote:

Dear All,

I would like to join those who support MIGRATION as a theme for the 2006 HDR. This is indeed both a human development and a human rights issue.

A background note for a workshop on the impact of globalization on the full enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development devoted a chapter to Globalization and Migration.

Here are, very briefly, some of the issues that were proposed for discussion and which, I believe, advocate in favor of the Migration theme:

1. The Millennium Declaration which calls for special measures to protect the human rights of migrants, migrant workers and their families recognizes the problems that migrants face.

2. People have always been leaving their own countries in a constant quest for better lives. Today however, for an increasing number of individuals and groups, particularly among the poor and the marginalized, and the victims of civil strife, migration is unfortunately more a survival strategy than a deliberate choice.

3. Illegal migration and abusive forms of migration (smuggling and trafficking) are on the increase in several regions of the world.

4. Globalization and Migration are closely linked. However, while globalization involves the (progressive) removal of obstacles to movements of goods, services and capital, barriers to free movement of persons seem to increase and often force people into illegal migration in search of work.

5. Migrant workers face serious threats to their basic rights and fundamental freedoms, especially in cases of illegal recruitment and subsequent inequitable conditions of employment.

Tajeddine Badry
UNDP Morocco

William Pleitez, UNDP El Salvador, wrote:

I voted for MIGRATION theme for the 2006 global HDR. Actually in El Salvador, we are working our NHDR on this topic. In El Salvador it is estimated that more than 20% of the population live abroad. This phenomenon is having great impact on the economic, political and social sectors and on the human development of people who live inside the country and abroad. Due to this fact, migration is considered as an important issue in the process of public policy dialog. If this subject is selected as the theme of the next global HDR we would be pleased to share our findings with the team.

Best regards.

William Pleitez
Coordinador del Informe sobre Desarrollo Humano de El Salvador

Shashikant Nair, UNDP Fiji, wrote:

Dear Kevin and colleagues,

I would like to add my support to the theme of MIGRATION. Migration is a human response to perceived needs and touches human development in many ways. It is a critical factor that shapes societies and economies in both the places of origin and destination. Its spatial and temporal dimensions are complex and need to be addressed carefully in terms of impact on human development. The term "migration" itself needs examination. What may be seen by some as migration and a permanent move is seen by many others, including the so called migrants, as temporary sojourn, with the complex linkages developed across societies as a result of this migration. A term that is better used to encompass the temporal aspects is “population mobility". I have taken the liberty to quote below a news item from the Pacific islands today which effectively highlights some issues surrounding so called migration in at least the small Pacific island societies.

Regards,

Shashikant Nair
Governance Specialist
UNDP Fiji

Toily Kurbanov, UNDP/BoM, wrote:

Dear all,

I second Dinora's suggestion that UNDP might wish to consider merging Migration and Ageing into single theme for the 2006 HDR. While each of these demographic phenomena presents an exceptionally rich subject with wide ranging implications for development, there so much more to gain should both be explored simultaneously.

For one, plenty of empirical evidence suggest that ageing and migration are both closely linked products and underlying factors of overall development patterns. One could argue that as countries become rich, they enter into demographic transition towards lower birth rates and greater proportion of senior population. Over time, these ageing societies generate continuous demand for foreign labor and absorb migrationary flows from outside. Contrarily, where fundamental problems of development and growth persist, demand for labor is often generated in the low skill economic sectors, creating implicit incentives for higher birth rates -- the opposite of ageing -- and outward migration.

While the compound impact of migration and ageing on the development prospects is perhaps not a perennial mystery, it obtains new proportions and complexity in light of ever growing number of programme countries experiencing demographic transition even before they become rich. Not only do we see divergent development and demographic paths in the developing world, but also within many countries current trends dictate inextricable realignment of the age structure and massive internal migration. The latter is especially true for countries with greater regional disparities, as well as growing urban-rural divide.

Last but not least, UNDP could be proud of its contributions towards building consensus and stronger momentum around Millennium Development Goals worldwide. The upcoming Millennium+5 Summit in September will review progress since the 2000 Millennium Declaration and might raise host of policy and analytical issues on how the MDG drive influences and is influenced by diverse demographic patterns in the developing world. By addressing the issues of ageing and migration in their complexity, UNDP will help to move the agenda forward and confirm its role as the global knowledge-management organization and leading MDG advocate.

Best regards,

Toily Kurbanov
Office of Planning and Budgeting
Bureau of Management, UNDP

Denise de Souza, UNDP Guyana, wrote:

Dear Kevin,

My vote goes to Migration. Particularly because this is an issue that affects people from both the developing and the developed countries.

There is much that can be said on the Political economy of the phenomenon especially when taken from the perspective of the historical relationship between colonies and colonisers. The changed flow of resources from the colonies to the Center and the compensation which flows the other way - whether it be remittances or investments or trade can prove to be an interesting analysis.

My second choice is Ageing followed by Water.

Best regards

Denise deSouza
Assistant Resident Representative
UNDP Guyana

Keshab Bhattarai, Government of Nepal, wrote:

Dear Kevin,

I too support the theme "Migration". The positive and negative impact on human development should be explored. It should also encompass the issue of forced migration including the atrocities caused to these people especially to those who are internally displaced mainly due to internal and often violent conflict. As it has been explained earlier by several colleagues, many developing economies are supported by the huge inflow of remittances and governments are forced to shape their manpower to suit the international labor market to encourage migration. Most of these countries find themselves in a difficult situation as the young and unskilled labor force is leaving the country in search of a non-descent type of work and the educated ones are leaving the country in search of better opportunities. Consequently the population of these countries mainly consists in children and old aged people whereas the contribution from the productive and economically active work force is desperately needed. I would also like to suggest that the report should focus on the least developed and small economies.

Keshab P Bhattarai
National Planning Commission
His Majesty's Government of Nepal

Nicolas Kazadi, UNDP Guinea, wrote:

Dear Kevin and Colleagues,

After a consultative process within our CO, it appears that the majority prefers the topic on “Access to basic services: health, education, water and sanitation.” I must recall that our 2004 NDHR in Guinea relates to a similar topic (Water, Energy, Growth and Sustainable Human Development) Water is a key issue either in naturally well served African countries or those from Sahel.

As a second choice, we retained the topic on migration, while wishing it to be more focused and related to sustainable human development and MDGs.

With regards

Nicolas Kazadi
Senior Economist
UNDP Guinea

Maria Rosa Renzi, UNDP Nicaragua, wrote:

TRANSLATED MESSAGE

Dear Colleagues,

The discussion around the theme for the next Global HDR has been very interesting. In Nicaragua, we are in the process of finishing the first HDR for Nicaragua’s Caribbean Coast and therefore it has been difficult for us to participate in this rich discussion. However, after reading the arguments of SURF-AS, I agree with their ordering of themes.

Migration plays a very important role in Nicaragua and in the Central American region in general. From a family and community perspective, remittances help many families to get out of the poverty trap. Moreover, the global income generated by remittances can also play an important role in adjusting the deficits of national balances of payment.

However, migration is also causing social problems, such as the disintegration of families, increased exposure to risks, HIV/AIDS and the question of citizenship (lack thereof) for migrants. All these themes are very important and are the essence of Human Development.

Greetings
Maria Rosa
UNDP Nicaragua

ORIGINAL MESSAGE

Estimados colegas:

Es interesante la discusion en torno a la temática que pudiera sustentar el próximo IDH Mundial. En Nicaragua estamos en pleno proceso de concluir el Primer IDH de la Costa Caribe de Nicaragua y por ello ha sido dificil reflexionar en torno de esta rica discusión. Sin embargo leyendo la argumentacion del SURF-AS coinicido en el orden de la temática.

La migración para Nicaragua y para la región Centroamericana adquiere una dimensión muy importante no solo desde la perspectiva familiar y comunitaria por las remesas que ayudan a las familias a salir de la pobreza, sino porque los ingresos globales de las remesas son hoy en dia una variable de ajuste de los deficits de balanza de pagos muy importante.

El otro lado de la moneda, son los problemas de caracter social que ello implica por la desintegracion de las familias, la exposicion al riesgo, el VIH SIDA y la carencia de ciudadania en muchos casos de la poblacion migrante, entre otras. Todos estos temas son muy importantes y hacen a la esencia del Desarrollo Humano.

Saludos
Maria Rosa
PNUD Nicaragua

Ernest Salla, UNDP Tanzania, wrote:

Dear Kevin and colleagues,

I would vote for migration. Through history migration has been unstoppable phenomenon with its positive and/or negative effects to human development depending on how it takes place. Adopting migration as the theme for HDR 2006, would provide an opportunity to examine more closely different causes of migration and its differential impacts to economies, cultures, social well being and security in the era of globalization. Number of issues can be looked into, such as; remittances, investment, brain drain/circulation and their relationship to poverty issues particularly in the developing countries.

Best regards

Ernest Salla
UNDP/Tanzania

Beat Rohr, UNDP El Salvador, wrote:

For your information, UNDP El Salvador is currently preparing the National Human Development report for El Salvador. Our theme for 05 is Migration and Human Development, very relevant in a country where more than 25% of the population lives abroad and remittances are estimated to be around 17% of GDP.

Should others have interest in the theme, please get in touch with our HDR report coordinator (william.pleitez@undp.org) to interchange and learn.

Beat Rohr
UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative El Salvador

Luis Felipe Lopez Calva, NHDR Mexico, wrote:

Dear colleagues,

We believe that the theme of migration is at the core of Human Development as it represents a decision that relates to human freedom, or the lack thereof, and represents both an opportunity and a challenge for individuals who engage in it. In Mexico, for example, migration has implied that remittances are the most important source of foreign currency inflows (yes, even higher than those coming from oil exports). Also, entire regions have been abandoned by young people, changing the demographic landscape dramatically. There is also return migration, and the fact that all these people leave and do not contribute to a formal social security system becomes a potential fiscal liability. Social networks are massively used by migrants abroad, resulting in very interesting sociological phenomena.

Questions that are relevant from a human development perspective would be, just as examples:

• Is migration an exercise of human freedom or are people pushed to migration in risky conditions because of the lack of opportunities in the local environment?
• What should be the right policy in both cases?
• What is the impact of internal and international migration on the HDI?
• What institutional conditions are needed to have migration in human conditions as a choice and not as fate?
• How are remittances used in terms of their impact on HDI?

As Jeff Williamson has discussed recently, this globalization process is different from the one that took place in the XIX century mainly because this is based on movement of goods and capital as opposed movement of people.

Looking into migration issues in this international environment would be of extreme importance from a Human development perspective.

Cheers,

Luis F. Lopez-Calva
UNDP Mexico

Cynthia Goytia, Universidad Torcuato Di Tella, Argentina, wrote:

Dear Kevin and colleagues from UNDP:

I would like to thank you for inviting comments on the 2006 HDR theme.

I agree with what Richard Leete has explained about the importance of cross-sector partnerships for improving human development. This human development issue could be essential as coming across many development challenges. As we are noticing, Human Development is no longer a concern for governments alone – increasingly the business community and civil society organizations are getting more involved. In this sense the roles and responsibilities of each sector are being redefined making this situation encouraging challenge for all parties. But governments should seize the opportunity by creating enabling frameworks for partnerships to flourish at all levels.

At the same time, many of these new forms of partnership are developing from the ‘bottom-up’. They are engaging new actors, such as individual, business companies, community organizations and multilateral organizations and donors who are influencing changes in local, national and international processes of governance for improving human development.

Kind regards,

Cynthia Goytia
Professor and Researcher
Universidad Torcuato Di Tella, Argentina

Faatoia Malele, Samoa NHDR, wrote:

Thank you all for the stimulating and exciting debate and exchange of opinions and wise judgments. From a “personal” point of view, religion as proposed earlier is a priority - everyone has a soul and spirit. From a national point of view, migration and governance are foremost relevant. From a regional and global perspective, water is probably the only other common factor amongst all inhabitants of Earth, which is also close to human soul and spirit.

Faatoia Malele
Samoa NHDR

Ana Ines Mulleady, UNDP/BCPR, wrote:

I believe that any theme selected by BCPR should be in line with the MDGs, in particular with the one relating to the “reduction of Poverty”. As you remember, the MDGs indicate that the Poverty rate should be reduced in half (50%) for 2015. I think this matter is extremely important taking into account the UNDP’s estimates about the gross income for rich countries versus the poorest countries. As the Poverty reduction requires the integration of economic, social and physical developments at any level, these issues may be linked with some TTF service lines as Conflict prevention or Special Initiatives for Countries in Transition.

Thank you for giving the opportunity to participate in this challenge.

Regards
Ana Ines Mulleady
Operation Support Unit/BCPR/UNDP

Anne Marie Cluckers, UNDP/BCPR, wrote:

The proposed theme on migration seems not only interesting from a global perspective but in direct relation to BCPR from the conflict and natural disasters perspectives.

Anne Marie Cluckers
Transition Recovery Unit/BCPR/UNDP

Ashraf El-Nour, UNDP/BCPR, wrote:

Anne-Marie recommended migration as a proposed theme, and I would like to support that by adding:

Among the different possible themes, migration seems more interesting, at least from a BCPR perspective, given its linkages to post-conflict/natural disasters situations. Within IOM there is already ongoing debate on the nexus between migration and development (this will be an agenda item in the UN General Assembly in 2006), and furthermore a discussion (IOM) is already planned on migration and environment (post Tsunami), in addition to other topics, which cover the links between migration and conflict i.e. often takes the form of forced migration (internal displacement, refugee influx, etc.). So, in short, there seem to be growing momentum to address migration issues and making it the theme for next HDR is timely!

Regards,

Ashraf
Transition Recovery Unit/BCPR/UNDP

Jennifer Worrell, UNDP/BCPR, wrote:

I would suggest “Rethinking human development within the context of accumulating disaster risk“.

Jennifer Worrell
Disaster Reduction & Recovery Unit/BCPR/UND

Peter Batchelor, UNDP/BCPR, wrote:

My vote for the theme of HDR 2006 would be ‘Reducing Risk’ (a focus on reducing risk of natural disasters, and how natural disasters undermine development and achievement of MDGs).

I think this would be appropriate given tsunami, hurricanes in Caribbean, etc and discussion about role of RC/HC and how UN system, and UNDP responds to reducing risk etc

Peter Batchelor
Small Arms and Demobilization Unit/BCPR/UNDP

Eva Busza, UNDP/BCPR, wrote:

I also wanted to suggest the topic of rethinking security from a development perspective. I would add my vote to migration.

Thanks,

Eva
Strategic Planning Unit/BCPR/UNDP

Claire Umubyeyi, UNDP/BCPR, wrote:

I would like to vote for the theme “Averting Water Crisis”. From my prospective, water shortage is a threatening issue for the next generation, particularly in sub-Saharan countries and we should not overlook the fact that water scarcity can be a potential source of conflict. In addition, clean drinking water is a necessity for development and millions of people in developing countries lack access to safe drinking water.

Thanks,

Claire
Strategic Planning Unit/BCPR/UNDP

Ramaswamy Sudarshan, UNDP/Oslo Governance Center, wrote:

The best HDRs are those that have themes directly focused on people. Going by that, I join the large number of colleagues who have made a very strong case for Migration. It's something that people have done constantly, for diverse reasons.

People do need water, of course, as they need so many other resources to survive. Lack of water often forces people to migrate, as do many other contingencies.

The richness of materials on migration, and the need for analysis of critical trends, could make this one of the best HDRs produced by UNDP.

R.Sudarshan
Oslo Governance Centre
BDP/UNDP

Seheir Kansouh-Habib, Government of Egypt, wrote:

Supposing the topic selected is Migration, I suggest that situations are grouped and presented in inter-country/region comparative ways. Most cases are amenable to such comparisons. For illustration I wish to highlight the case of "transit migrants" who are hosted by so-called "transit countries", one of which is Egypt that provides shelter in the case of Sudanese migrants until they are placed in the "settlement" countries, such as Australia, Canada, Sweden, etc.

Obviously, UNHCR plays a key role in the whole process of legitimization of temporary residency and negotiations with countries of destination for permanent settlement. It will be good if UNDP starts to reveal the sort of difficulties the competent UN Offices encounter in performing their tasks, are they able to meet all demands? Are the processes very lengthy? Do they check the way "transit migrants" are living? Do they help train them so that they have more skills to be marketable when it is time for them to depart to their home destination? Are they helped to learn the new language of their country of destination?

These are just random questions for brainstorming. But there are many more that can be identified that will make interesting comparative cases. For instance how migrants get together, help each others to find jobs, share flats, get help to get employment through training and placement (normally through churches), etc. How do they continue keeping in touch with their families left behind and send them monies (in this case, most probably they are all below poverty line if they have to split their resources to send home). Do they do it illicitly or are there are rulings that help them do it through official channels? How do they feel about the country of settlement that is selected for them?

The reason that prompted me to write about transit migrants is that a couple of migrant Sudanese are working for us (one is a house cleaner from Juba ( a Christian) and the second is a driver from Darfur (a Moslem), so I live their problems. The first has been trying to have his case accepted by UNHCR, the other has been waiting for almost a year to be settled in a country of destination. He does not know where he is to be placed On this issue, I was informed by a colleague who also employs a Sudanese woman, that this woman has been very upset because she has been accepted in a Nordic country, while she had started to get used to Egypt (it takes a migrant a year or two - in transit - until the process of their final settlement takes place).

I have not probed such issue in depth but somehow, such categories of people, who seek shelter, normally come from very poor backgrounds and will probably be employed as unskilled labor. Going from Sudan to Egypt, a neighboring country with whom there has always been ties, sharing more or less a similar climate, to a totally different environment where they will certainly be part of the lower crust reminds me of the time of slavery. This idea made me shiver: what would a poor Sudanese do in Australia, Sweden, etc, more than wipe the floor, or similar jobs. Are they condemned to a life of servitude? Perhaps the countries in transit should be doing something towards training them so that they can escape their plight.

While naturally there many important socio-economic and cultural aspects and implications at macro, meso and micro levels that require studying, the concern I am presenting here is from a humanitarian grassroots perspective. I am also talking from the viewpoint of a citizen of a "transit" country who happened to have first hand contact with refugees. There are other countries called "transit" countries, the idea would be that a comparison is made between the support they migrants get from transit country X versus transit country Y, etc. How it is decided that a country is selected or accepted to be a transit country? How is permanent settlement managed? Is the opinion of the migrant himself or herself ever taken into consideration? ....

This is not an outline naturally just sharing thoughts.

Seheir Kansouh-Habib

Neil Buhne, UNDP Bulgaria, wrote:

Dear Kevin and network members,

I would like change my vote. Though I have earlier secretly voted for ageing, mainly because of its great relevance to Eastern Europe where I work, I would like to write in on the ballot something else.

The issues of ageing and migration are not necessarily separate. Here in our specific situation in Bulgaria - a demographic crisis looms. A larger and larger share of the population is older because:

1. There are fewer births

2. Young people migrate to look for work

3. Life expectancy for older people is stable or slightly increasing

Yet older people do not have the skills for the new European economy and there are less young people. Which means the mismatch and underutilization of older peoples' skills, and out-migration of young people, shrinks the active and skilled labor force, has an overall effect on society and economy, and limits everyone's choices for the future.

So could the next report be on Human Development and changing population profiles? (Perhaps with a more elegantly worded title!). Both ageing and migration have implications on human development worldwide and by dealing with them together, the HDR could help spur positive and active policies with a worldwide affect.

I realize in UN terms this moves close to work UNFPA has done, and also that of IOM and others. The report could benefit from their work, but by putting the analysis in a human development framework, add something new.

I look forward to the election results.

Neil Buhne
UN Resident Coordinator
UNDP Resident Representative in Bulgaria

Rakesh Jani, UNDP Liberia, wrote:

Migration is one of the most important and most happening phenomenon in recent years, and it has attracted lots of attention, however I think “Access to Basic Services”, is the key for Human Development and I voted for it.

I would suggest Employment or Job opportunities should also be added as one of the component of access to basic services.

What is the cardinal cause of all problems? Access to basic services

What is the main cause of Migration, or Water crises? Access to basic services

How many countries are facing problems of Ageing? Let’s not forget that in some of the countries affected by HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria, the life expectancy has reduced. One can even see an alarming infant mortality rate and other disturbing health indicators of many LDCs, which are caused by a lack of access to basic health services, water and sanitation etc

Just to compare it to the probably most voted topic Migration, What is the average percentage of migration (I am talking about international migration, as most of the respondents cited international migration and remittances sent by them to their home countries) in the world compared to the percentage of lack of access to basic services? Are the remittances from the migrants going to solve the problem of access to basic services to the large population? We should rather look at the percentage of remitted fund invested in the health care or educational services etc. and the we can look at the share of remittance in the GDP.

The first and foremost right of human beings is the access to basic services, and I don’t have second choice to vote for.

Rakesh Jani
UNDP Liberia

Joseph Pihi, UNDP Brazaville, wrote:

TRANSLATED MESSAGE

Dear colleagues,

I am voting for «Access to basic services: health, education, water and sanitation» for the following reasons:

1) Access to education, basic health care, drinking water and sanitation (which influences levels of health and even education) is a fundamental condition for enlarging the possibilities and choices of the poor.

2) In the majority of developing countries, better access to education, health, water and sanitation allows for a fundamental decrease in mortality rates, especially for the must vulnerable groups of society: children, women and the elderly.

3) As a matter of fact, in many countries, women still have to walk several miles to access water, which may even be of poor quality and the source of several infections. This is true for rural and urban areas where water procurement is a fundamental burden for women. Water procurement also involves increasing expenses in order to prevent the collapse of what are often poorly managed, state-owned water enterprises. Paradoxically, one can observe water shortages, both in quantity as well as in quality, even in countries with abundant natural water resources.

4) WHO findings show that poor water quality is also causing diarrheic illnesses, which for example contribute considerably to infant mortality in Africa.

5) Hygienic conditions have deteriorated greatly in many urban areas in developing countries; sanitary conditions in these agglomerations contribute significantly to environmental degradation due in part to a lack of viable alternatives. Illnesses develop because of an absence or insufficiency of adequate sanitary systems, which also contributes to an aggravation of poverty. Malaria, skin and respiratory diseases, and water pollution find a receptive home in this unsanitary environment. The most vulnerable elements of society are here again the poor.

6) The combined effects of no or insufficient access to education, health, water, and sanitation contributes to the aggravation of poverty, maternal mortality, infant mortality, discrimination against w7)Therefore it seems indispensable to analyze access to basic services addressing the causes of the current situation and elaborating on strategic orientations for efficient policies and programs, also taking into account recognized best practices in several countries which have been successful in this area. Finally, this constitutes also a condition for community based development. omen, and to an increase in inequalities between different society groups. These effects form an obstacle to the realization of the Millennium Development Goals.

Regards.

Joseph Pihi
UNDP Brazaville

ORIGINAL MESSAGE

Chers (Chères) collègues,

Je vote pour "L'accès aux services de base: Santé, éducation, eau et assainissement", pour les raisons suivantes:

1) L'élargissement des possibilités de choix des personnes pauvres passent fondamentalement par l'accès à l'éducation, aux soins de santé de base, à l'eau potable et l'assainissement qui influent à leur tour sur le niveau de santé et même d'éducation.

2) Dans la majorité des pays en voie de développement, pauvres, un meilleur accès à l'éducation, à la santé, à l'eau et à l'assainissement permet de réduire fondamentalement la mortalité en général, et surtout la mortalité des enfants, des femmes et des personnes de troisième âge qui constituent les couches les plus vulnérables:

3) En effet, dans beaucoup de pays, les femmes parcourent encore plusieurs kilomètres pour accéder à une eau dont la qualité reste même douteuse et source de plusieurs infections. Ceci est valable aussi bien dans les zones rurales que dans les zones urbaines où l'acquisition de l'eau est un fardeau pour la femme et constitue une poste croissant des dépenses pour pallier à la défaillance des compagnies des eaux souvent étatiques, plus ou moins mal gérées. Paradoxalement, c'est même dans certains pays disposant d'abondantes dotations naturelles en eau que l'on obsserve des pénuries criardes d'eau aussi bien en quantité qu'en qualité.

4) Les données de l'OMS prouvent que la mauvaise de l'eau est également à la base des maladies diarrhéiques, qui sont représentent une part significative dans la mortalité des enfants, en Afrique par exemple.

5) Les conditions d'hygiène se sont fortement dégradées dans la pluapart des zones urbaines des pays en développpement; l'état d'assainissement dans ces agglomérations contribue fortement à la dégradation de l'environnement, sans pour autant qu'une alternative viable ne soit trouvée. Il se dévelope aussi des maladies dûes à l'absence ou à l'insuffisance d'un assainissement adéquat et contrbue à l'aggravation de la pauvreté. Le paludisme, certaines maladies de la peau, certaines maladies respiratoires, la pollution des eaux trouvent un terrain propice dans un environnement malsain. Les couches les plus vulnérables ici sont encore les pauvres.

6) Les effets conjugués de la faiblesse ou de l'absence d'accès à l'éducation, à la santé, à l'eau et à l'assainissement contribuent à aggraver la pauvreté, la mortalité maternelle, la mortalité infantile, les préjudices au détriment de la femme, l'accroissement des inégalités entre les différentes couches des populations. Ces effets sont un obstacle à l'atteinet des Objectifs du Millénaire pour le Développement.

7) Il paraît ainsi indispensable de consacrer une analyse sur l'accès aux services de base, en s'interrogeant sur les causes de la situation actuelle et en dégageant des orientations stratégiques pour des politiques et programmes efficaces, sur la base aussi des best practices observées dans plusieurs pays qui ont enregistré des succès. C'est également une condition du développemen à la base des communautés.

Bien à tous.

Joseph Pihi
Conseiller au Programme Pauvreté
PNUD Brazzaville

George Kararach, Independent Developmetn Consultant, wrote:

Dear Kevin,

There have been several contributions as to what should be the topic of the next HDR (2006). In my view the need to remind ourselves of the challenges to meet the MDGs - given that we are at one third on the way to 2015 – and even to make the discussion on accessing basic social services a primacy for everyone.

The need to ensure equitable access, with quality, to these services is also at the core of the attempt to secure the vision of the UN Secretary General as outlined in 'Larger Freedoms'. The topic is of immediate relevance to developed as well as developing countries.

Writing from the UK: the issues around access to quality health care and education are at the core of the ongoing discussions leading to the general elections here. The major parties want to portray themselves as major champions of equitable access to quality health and education services.

In countries such as Uganda, there has been an attempt to improve access to education and health through the removal of user fees. Somewhat there has been some improvement in access - especially in education - but quality remains a major concern in all these 'sectors'.

I belief there should be a thorough re-examination of the linkages between access to these services, human rights, democratization and general social development. My hunch is that this discussion will also examine how far on course many of the countries are to achieving the MDG targets.

Best regards,

George Kararach
Macroeconomist/Independent Development Consultant

Ngila Mwase, UNDP Mozambique, wrote:

Dear Kevin,

Thanks for sharing with us potential topics and determinant criteria for selecting the theme for the 2006 HDR and inviting our views. One of the criteria is linkage with the NHDRs. While this is useful, even more important is linkage with both the main thrust of UNDP work more especially (as Vinetta argues) with the MDGs; and programme country work- particularly as it relates to the PRS/PRSPs. Under both criteria migration or ageing (the most frequently sought topics) is not core. Both the first and the second generation of PRSPs, for example, have basic social services as core programme activities.

In Mozambique, for instance, the forthcoming NHDRs are on MDGs, HIV/AIDS and ICT for development. UN(DP) support for PRSP review includes basic social services. And so does Swaziland's CCA/UNDAF. A HDR on “Accessing Basic Services: Health, Education and Water and Sanitation" will build on the MDGs and more especially the UN Millennium Project Report. It could be quite handy in the MDG castings work and the design of MDG-based PRSPs, a critical strategy for the attainment of the MDGs. Although much is being written in SWAP reviews on the basic social services(not very much documented and published), tackling the issue of access, has interesting new ground to be explored both in theory and practice, which could help refine and enrich the human development dimension.

UNDP cannot do everything and be everywhere. There are other partners-some of whom both by mandate and track record can, and are, tackling "migration” and “ageing". As we tackle basic social services and especially access, the issue of migration (brain drain, remittances, jobs, etc) with be touched upon, without taking centre stage. I vote for "Access to basic services: health, education and water and sanitation".

Thanks and best regards.

Ngila Mwase
UNDP Mozambique

Mandisa Mashologu, UNDP Lesotho, wrote:

Dear Colleagues,

I have voted for migration as the theme for 2006. In the case of Lesotho where rural/urban migration due to job opportunities has also created negative impacts on the social and cultural structure of society, (some 50 000 plus mostly young females textile workers moving to the lowlands are more vulnerable and at risk to HIV and AIDS), this forms part of the many challenges of the country eroding any strides towards the attainment of the MDGs. Even in the preparation of the very consultative processes of drafting a PRS, one of the key challenges raised by the people through village/community consultations was access to passports and freedom of movement to neighboring South Africa. Clearly this theme can raise a number of interesting issues in relation to vulnerability, brain drain, culture and societal structures, freedom of movement, integration, and partnerships for development.

Best regards

Mandisa Mashologu
UNDP Lesotho

Aida Robbana, UNDP Tunesia, wrote:

Dear colleagues,

I would like to express my support to the theme of migration, as it is an important issue for the euro-med region as well in term of Human development challenges.

In view of reaching an end to the demographic transition in the region and witnessing a continuously aging population, migration will be one of the major determinants for the future regional balances.

Best regards,

Aïda Robbana
UNDP Tunisia

Sennye Obuseng, UNDP Botswana, wrote:

I couldn't agree more with Ngila (Mwase). Deprivation in access to basic services is a dominant influence on the persistence of poverty. It dis-empowers whole generations of poor people (hundreds of millions) and robs them of opportunities for a decent life. Many poor people, perhaps the majority, only need to have basic livelihood opportunities - education, skills and health - that access to basic services avails, to fight their way out of poverty. We should not, at a time when the MDGs are gaining ever growing momentum and the Millennium Project is forcefully advocating for measures to bridge the resource gap (read services gap) in developing countries, and is urging profound reforms in policy and governance practice in these countries, fail to capitalize on these opportunities to speak forcefully to an increasingly receptive global audience.

The MDG processes at the country level need impetus and no tool in our advocacy arsenal is more effective than the HDR. The work on MDGs begins with poverty and with access to basic services. Progress in improving access to basis services will be the decisive influence on whether countries achieve the MDGs or not. In Sub Saharan Africa, and to a lesser extent in Asia, access to basis services now includes access to HIV/AIDS related services - counseling, treatment and care. The stakes do not get higher than this.

Yes, migration is important, more so in countries where remittances play a significant role in the economy. In fact, some very interesting policy discussions can be held on this issue. For instance, why are small countries with significant human resource constraints, e.g. Botswana, failing to use immigration policy creatively to mitigate these constraints; what is our take on the immigration debate in Europe and the immigration policies evolving there from? We can go on ... Still, one has to come back to basic services. It is not a stretch to argue that the problems of migration begin with poverty and with lack of access to basic services. Whether we look at the brain drain from developing countries or illegal immigration into developed countries, the problems of migration revolve around people seeking to escape extreme levels of deprivation - poverty, hunger, disease and war - or lack of opportunity. Improving access to basic services is the foundation for opportunity and prosperity in developing countries. The timing is opportune for us to speak to the world about basic services.

Sennye Obuseng
UNDP Botswana

Abdou Kolley, UNDP The Gambia, wrote:

Dear Kevin

Thank you for sharing the suggested topics for the 2006 global HDR. The three topics that are proposed are all interesting in that they each address a pertinent issue in many developing countries. Of the three I vote “Access to basic social services” as this topic is more in line with The Gambia's PRSP which has a priority focus on basic social services and is also in line with the MDGs. However, I would like to propose another topic for consideration: "Capacity Retention and Utilization".

If we critically look at the issue of migration, we realize that in many developing countries, a lot of talented professionals are migrating to the North. In The Gambia for example, our health sector faces critical shortage of qualified nurses and midwives, most of whom have migrated to UK and US after being trained by the government or through donor funded projects. We almost entirely rely on expatriates, recruited through bilateral agreements with other countries. In the education sector, many of the teachers and lecturers are expatriates. Other sectors also face similar problems. The Government and donor partners have taken many steps to build capacity, but this capacity is never retained. And as long as nothing is done in the area of retention, we will continue to build capacity, yet still complain of the lack of capacity to formulate and implement policies, programs and projects. In the HDR on capacity retention and utilization will look at capacity building from all angles and outline the challenges that are to be addressed if migration of professionals is to be reduced as it cannot be stopped.

Also, if we look at access to basic social services (health, education, etc), we need professionally trained personnel to deliver the services. Health facilities, schools etc can be extended to every village and hamlet, but if there are no professionals to run and maintain them, then there is no effective access. This is why I feel some effort has to be done in the area of staff retention and utilization.

Many thanks

Abdou Kolley
UNDP The Gambia

Sebastian Levine, UNDP Namibia, wrote:

Dear Kevin,

Thanks for this opportunity to voice views on selecting the theme for next year’s HDR. I have voted in favor of “Access to basic services: health, education, water and sanitation”. Let me briefly explain why.

Colleagues have focused on the more direct MDG relevance of the theme of basic services and I completely agree. Having an HDR on this theme come out next year some time after the Summit seems like a great opportunity to help us all keep an eye on the MDG ball, and especially the nuts and bolts, bricks and mortar, of what it takes to meet the goals. Moreover, the Millennium Project needs assessments and the proposed ‘big-push’ investment programme would be well supported by an elaborate policy oriented and HD based—people-centered—framework especially as the country-level work takes off. Moreover, when it comes to policy orientation and the role of Government, markets, people, this HDR would also bring much needed enlightenment to the debate around the 2004 WDR and years of ‘market based’ experimentation.

On NHDR linkages, in Namibia we are currently working on an NHDR on Youth and Human Development. One key challenge in expanding the freedoms and opportunities of youth will be to exploit the potential benefits of large generations of youth after an Independence baby boom around 1990, subsequent declining fertility rates and falling dependency ratios for the years to come. We argue for a comprehensive programme of investment in youth framed within a compact between the generations, based on an analysis of current levels of intergenerational inequality and as the main driver towards meeting the National Vision 2030 and the MDGs. At the core of this investment programme will be the expansion of social services especially in areas of health within the context of building an HIV/AIDS competent, responsive and effective society, as well as in education to expand knowledge and choice. As a middle income country with deep structural levels of inequality focus is on quality as much as on access, and specifically on the capacity challenge accentuated by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. We are obviously also concerned with creating economic opportunities and job creation, as well as empowerment and participation; additional potential HDR themes.

While we see the greatest link right now to “Access to basic services: health, education, water and sanitation”, being one of the world’s most arid countries, “Averting a water crisis” is obviously highly relevant as well within a sustainable human development focus. Our current focus is, as mentioned, on Youth and in light of the HIV/AIDS epidemic with falling life expectancies, “Ageing” in Namibia carry some very specific (though not uninteresting) analytical and policy issues. Either way we look forward to making our national analysis available to your team and commenting further as we go along.

I hope this is useful.

Best regards,

Sebastian Levine
Economist
UNDP Namibia

Flavia Pansieri, UNDP Yemen, wrote:

Dear Kevin and colleagues,

Last year the Yemen CO proposed the topic of migration for consideration for the next HDR. Since this topic is now on the shortlist being voted upon, we would like to reiterate once again our strong support for this theme. Given continued global inequalities, migration, and the fears associated with it, is a more timely topic than ever before. In addition, with restrictive policies being introduced following 9/11, and with Europe's expansion, it is also a topic that lends itself to presenting new policy approaches to all the regions of the world. It also builds on all previous HDRs, especially recent ones on democracy, new technologies, human rights and cultural freedoms. After all, migration, and why people move, raises fundamental questions related to the expansion of choices.

Moreover, the topic of migration opens up doors to exploring, defining and measuring new concepts. For example, an effort could be undertaken to examine how the migration of labour from developing to developed countries affects the "donor" country and the "recipient" country. What is the effect of the brain drain of qualified individuals on poor countries? What about the positives brought about by the brain drain to the originating country- in terms of remittances, increased local investments from expats abroad (look at India), knowledge and experiences brought by those returning? What are the negative effects of very high remittance rates, such as the potential for Dutch disease etc? What about the positives brought to the recipient country- in terms of expertise, new cultures, cheaper labour, increased tax bases and stronger pension systems in countries with low birth rates (look at Italy, Germany)? And the negatives- the impact on welfare systems etc?

Furthermore, studies of migration also raise interesting questions of trade. How does movement in labour relate to trade in goods and services, or result in changing economies? How can countries work together to facilitate remittance flows (related to issues of global governance)? How should new migrants be best included into societies and be given full and equal rights?

As a result of all these reasons and potential issues to be discussed, we think that migration is a very suitable and worthwhile topic for the next HDR.

Best regards,
Flavia Pansieri
Resident Representative
UNDP Yemen

Ngila Mwase, UNDP Mozambique, wrote:

Dear Kevin,

Very robust and rigorous exchanges have taken place on the theme of the 2006 HDR. Whatever topic is eventually chosen will carry with it the usual indices (HDI, HPI, GDI, GEM, etc). The key index (HDI) was designed and appeared in the inaugural 1990 HDR. Some academic economists more especially in the WB expressed reservations on this index (some questioning its very aggregative nature). However, given that many think tanks and governments have been warming up to it -and in the advent of the strong M&E requirements of the PRSP/MDGs increasingly using these indices, opposition to their use in economic management has subsided. In some countries national institutions calculate these indices. In Mozambique, for example, the National Institute of Statistics calculates and presents HDI and GDI in its Annual Statistics Yearbook. It was therefore in a position to raise questions about discrepancies between the 2004 global HDR figures and their own.

Given massive shifts in development paradigms since the late 1980s, the fundamental basis of some of these indices may have to be revisited. UN/ECA has revisited the gender indices (which were developed and published in the 1995 HDR) factoring in the Beijing and post-Beijing gender equity and women empowerment developments. (see, Jacques Charmes and Saskia Wieringa, "Measuring Women's Empowerment: an assessment of the Gender Development Index and the Gender Empowerment Measure", Journal of Human Development, Vol 4, No 3, Nov 03, pp 419-435.). The UN/ECA work has resulted into the Africa Gender Development Index (AGDI).

In recent donor discussions in Mozambique on indices for PRSP/MDGs gender performance monitoring, the AGDI was preferred over the GDI and GEM. Although our indices are global, we may have to recast them in the light of paradigm shifts; if they are to maintain their lead monitoring role /relevancy in an increasingly competitive environment. Themes that deal with the "building blocks" for the various indices (life expectancy, literacy, education, water, health, HIV/AIDS) can assist in this regard.

Thanks and best regards.

Ngila Mwase
UNDP Mozambique

Marcellin Ndong Ntah, UNDP Cameroon, wrote:

Dear Kevin,

I'm providing here arguments for my vote in favor of the theme "Migration".

In fact, compared to other proposed themes which we could qualify in French as "sentiers battus" (areas where a lot has been already said), Migration appears as the theme which could advance significantly development literature and agendas. The complex relationships between migration and development on the one hand, and between migration and human development on the other hand, need to be more enlightened. Research efforts on these complex relationships are still ongoing and a coherent guiding framework to address them has not yet been established. UNDP can really make a difference in this perspective.

In addition, the field of Migration is quite wide since developing countries as well as developed countries are facing nowadays issues related to the consequences of migration, such as: remittances, brain drain, brain gain, brain circulation, etc, which have a direct impact on development. The implication of migration for industrialized countries of destination as well as for developing countries of destination (in some cases) should be clearly identified and handled accordingly.

Migration is also a human development issue. Generally speaking, one of the main root causes of migration is the perspective of better conditions of life. Migrants look more often for societies, countries, regions where they can enjoy a prosperous life, free of misery, poverty, sicknesses, violation of basic human rights, etc. For instance, Rural-to-urban and international migrations appear as two vital strategies for individuals to improve their livelihoods.

Moreover, there are inter-linkages between migration and MDGs. Migration can have, either directly or indirectly, positive and negative impacts on the achievement of the MDGs. All these complex inter-linkages should be well identified and well known by every country with a view of achieving the MDGs. Also here UNDP can make a real difference.

Lastly, although the relationship between migration and development is increasingly recognized, migration has not yet consistently been integrated into national development agendas or in national and international assistance strategies. In this area, UNDP can also have a key role to play in contributing to the:

• mainstreaming of migration into development policy agendas;
• insertion of migration, as contributing factor to development, into PRSP;
• promotion of policy coherence in migration and development policy agendas; etc.
  

Thanks.

Marcellin Ndong Ntah
UNDP Cameroon

Harouna Pedragogo, UNDP Burkina Faso, wrote:

TRANSLATED MESSAGE

I would like to propose choosing the theme « Migration » for the HDR2006 for the following reasons:

1. It is a theme of universal interest, both for the poorest, as well as for the richest countries;

2. Because of its positive or negative consequences, Migration has implications even for the most remote regions of countries.

3. A thorough analysis of this topic would demonstrate its worrisome character (many countries develop measures against migration without any longlasting success) as well as the opportunity it offers for the development of certain countries (remittances can play a very important role in the development and poverty reduction of countries).

4. Several previous reports have already touched upon topics of poverty and reaching the Millennium Develoment Goals and have also explored questions linked to basic social services.

Thank you all for the quality of this exchange of opinions.

Harouna Ouedraogo
UNDP Burkina Faso

ORIGINAL MESSAGE

Je voudrais proposer de retenir comme theme la migration pour les raisons ci-apres:

1. Il s'agit d'un theme a caractere universel interesse aussi bien les pays les plus pauvres comme les plus riches;

2. De part ses retombees positives ou negatives elle a des repercussions dans les contrees les plus reculees dans les pays;

3. Son analyse approfondie mettra en exergue son caractere "effrayant" (beaucoup de pays developpent de mesures contre la migration, sans grand succes du reste), ainsi que l'opportunite qu'elle offre pour le developpement de certains pays (les transferts de revenus generes dans certains cas sont tres importants pour le developpement et la reduction de la pauvrete);

4. Des rapports ont deja aborde les thematiques de la pauvrete et les OMD et ont ainsi approfondi les questions liees aux services sociaux de base.

Merci a tous pour la qualite de ces echanges.

Harouna Ouedraogo
UNDP Burkina Faso

Adama Toe, UNDP Chad, wrote:

TRANSLATED MESSAGE

The theme of « Ageing » appears to me appropriate - the substantial increase in length of life we have witnessed over the last decades can have many consequences. Today, men are living longer because of considerable scientific progress. In the North, demography declines; in the South demography continues to grow, however it should stagnate soon under the combined effects of difficulties of life and family planning programs. This longevity is starting to pose serious problems to health systems which take care of the elderly and pensions. A report on this topic would shed new light on this question and help countries both in the North and the South to better understand a phenomenon which will most likely be one of the greatest challenges of the coming decades.

Adama Toe
Assistant Resident Representative
UNDP Chad

ORIGINAL MESSAGE

Le thème du vieillissement me parait opportun en raison des implications multiples de l’augmentation substantielle de la durée de la vie à laquelle nous avons assisté au cours des dernières décennies. L’homme vit plus longtemps aujourd’hui grâce au progrès de la science. Au Nord la démographie recule ; au Sud elle continue de croitre mais devrait rapidement stagner sous l’effet conjugué des difficultés de la vie et des programmes de planification familiale. Cette longévité commence à poser de sérieux problèmes aux systèmes de santé, de prise en charge des personnes âgées et de pension/retraite. Un rapport sur ce thème jetterait un éclairage nouveau sur la question et aiderait les Etats au Nord comme au Sud à mieux appréhender un phénomène qui s’annonce déjà comme l’un des défis majeurs des décennies à venir.

Adama Toe
Représentant Résident Adjoint/Programme
PNUD-Tchad

Matthew Martin, Debt Relief International, wrote:

Dear Colleagues,

I would like to suggest that the two themes of migration and ageing would make an ideal combination for next year's HDR. They are closely linked through the need for labour from developing countries to offset the ageing in developed countries, and the potential/actual contribution remittances make to human development in developing countries. This would make an excellent demonstration of interdependence between North and South. Perhaps we could also add in a third aspect about the age and labour skills patterns of populations in developing countries and the impact that migration and other factors such as AIDS are having on these. It would seem like a fascinating report especially if examined from a less demographic/economic and more from a human development perspective.

Best wishes

Matthew Martin
Director, Debt Relief International

Mohamed Ali Ould Merabott, UNDP Mauritania, wrote:

TRANSLATED MESSAGE

Dear colleagues,

Let me express my preference for the theme “Access to basic services”, especially because of the “real” content of this theme with respect to the improvement of living conditions of populations and its direct link to key MDG targets for poverty, hunger, education, health, etc.

These are also in general the same targets where the poor performance by countries not on track to meet the MDGs is concentrated.

Choosing this theme would make it possible to highlight in new ways the dialectic relation between sustainable human development and the MDGs.

Good day,

Mohamed Ali Ould Lemrabott
UNDP Mauritania

ORIGINAL MESSAGE

Chers collègues,

Permettez-moi d'exprimer ma préférence pour le thème: "Accès aux services sociaux de base" eu égard notamment au contenu "réel" de ce thème en termes d'amélioration des conditions de vie des populations et de son lien direct avec les cibles clés des OMD: pauvreté, faim, éducation, santé, etc. Autant de cibles sur lesquelles se concentre, en général, la contre-performance des pays qui sont off track pour l'atteinte des OMD.

Le choix de ce thème permettrait de surcroît d'éclairer sous un jour nouveau le lien dialectique entre DHD et OMD.

Bonne journée.

Mohamed Ali Ould Lemrabott
UNDP Mauritania

Karounga Keita, UNDP Mali, wrote:

I’m voting for the theme of “Migration”. I would like to give a few reasons for this choice.

1. Migration is a core human development issue.

The economic, social, political conditions determine the different types of migrations (voluntary and involuntary migrations). All these conditions have strong linkages with human development: income level and its distribution among bands of population; equity in access to social services and the availability of these services; the quality of governance in general (freedom; recognition and respect of human rights…)

2. We can offer something distinctive to offer through the human development framework.

Migration touches mainly young and adult bands of the population; then, it impacts positively the active population ratio in total population for the destination countries and negatively for the departure countries. This ratio is one of the accumulation and further growth factors. It’s known as “demographic dividend”. In the case of departure countries, mainly developing countries, migrations will push down this ratio. So, depending on the kind of migration flows many issues raise: demographic transition problematic in developing countries, transfers of workers revenues; technology and knowledge transfers; brain drain…

It will be very interesting to analyse deeply linkages that migrations have with economic, social and political factors in dynamic terms in departure and destination countries cases.

3. Migration is an area in which we can make difference in terms of challenging policies and identifying new ones.

Nowadays, it is recognized the importance of human resources in development in general, meanwhile a deep analysis of the theme of migration can help to understand more some issues:

• the tendencies of world economy (through globalization) to shape a world culture;
• the strategic behaviour of the Transnational Corporations (TNCs) profiting of protection of north markets about unskilled workers coming from developing countries;
• the cooperation for development about capacity building…

Further to these analyses, we can advocate for policies minimizing perverse impacts of globalization on developing countries vulnerable people.

Karounga Keita
UNDP Mali

Salah Hizam, HD Unit, Oman, wrote:

Dear Kevin and colleagues

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to contribute in this interesting discussion. I would like to add my voice to the majority who supported the "migration" to be taken as the theme for HDR 2006.

Migration gets extra importance to us in Oman and other Gulf Countries (GCC) as these countries host a high percentage of migrant population. In Oman, the percentage of migrant population is 26% of the total population. The HDR 2004 has shown that four gulf countries were among the top ten countries by share of migrant population. No doubt, such high percentage implies many consequences at different levels and in almost all fields. The HDR 2006 devoted totally to this topic would be a great opportunity to throw more light on this issue explaining its different aspects and would be of special importance to us.

Best regards

Salah Hizam
HD unit, Oman

Malithapelo Mosuoe, UNDP Lesotho, wrote:

Migration has always been a feature of human society. Hardly can any single country in the world today claim to have a population that has originated and remained in the same place without ever having to move from one place to another. Although not so noticeable as before, migration still continues all over the world for a number of factors including economic and social reasons.

Economic migration:

Many people migrate because the economic situations of their own countries are tough and they can earn more money outside. In Lesotho for instance, many Basotho who went to work in the Republic of South Africa did so to earn more pay. This economic mobility meant loss of manpower to local communities. While it may be seen as advancement both for the migrants and their home communities if migrants get better paid in their new places of work and provide remittances, economic migration also has negative social impacts.

There is another aspect of migration – rural-urban migration. This type of migration remains a key development challenge to Lesotho. Not only does this type of migration create an influx in urban towns, it also puts pressure to government to expand beyond its capability in health care provision, water and sanitation as well as security services. Due to their inability to find jobs in towns they resort to criminal activities for survival. These activities further exert pressure on the government to further strengthen delivery of its security and legal systems.

Social migration:

At a social level, migration is a key factor contribution to the spread of HIV/AIDS. HIV/AIDS prevalence rate among Basotho migrant laborers is believed to be higher than perhaps the not-so-mobile- population groups.

Malithapelo Mosuoe
UNDP Lesotho

Paola Pagliani, UNDP Serbia and Montenegro, wrote:

Dear Kevin and colleagues,

I would also like to join the group of those who have already expressed their support to the theme of migration for the HDR 2006.

Migration is a core human business; people have always migrated in human history. For centuries, migration has represented a fundamental survival strategy for masses of people, and there are no signs this is going to change in the near future. What makes the difference in the most recent history is probably that borders have never been so well guarded and protected, but despite the increasing obstacles to migrate to the most developed countries, people are keeping migrating. Internal migration from urban to rural areas, which is now creating increasing problems in overcrowded metropolis, was once actively stimulated in many countries during the industrialization phase.

Voluntary migration is related to the right to choose where to live and to the fundamental freedom of movement, which makes it a core issue also from a right-based approach perspective. On the other hand, forced migration and displacement are the denial of the very same rights.

Globalization has made the issue of migration even more critical. As already noted by Kamal Malhotra and Tajeddine Badry, there has been in the last decades an increasing pressure to liberalize the movements of goods and capitals (abundant in developed countries), while labor mobility (a productive factor in which usually developing countries have a competitive advantages) has been treated as a deeply controversial issue. While migration to developed countries has been considered desirable to some extent, in most cases, and often instrumentally, it has always been associated with the increase of security troubles. Beyond economic theory, the path of the debate has been influenced by actual disparities in resources’ distribution and the associated negotiation power, which put developed countries’ concerns at the centre of the debate, since migration is also producing a re-distribution of resources from richer to poor countries. From this perspective, a HDR 2006 focusing on migration would be complementary to the debate started with HDR 1999 and 2005.

Give the amount of literature on migration, the report should offer an in-depth analysis of the human development dimensions of the issue. What are the human development failures (social, economic, political, or environmental) determining migration? And what is the human development impact of migration in both origin and destination countries? There is a wealth of data and analysis from various regions, which highlight the diversity of the experiences in terms of migration and could lead to the identification of best practices, risks and opportunities.

Since migration is often a key topic of the political debate in both developed and developing countries, the challenge will be to identify policies allowing win-win opportunities in terms of:

• Allowing developed countries to benefit from the increasing influx of migrants, while assuring the respect of their human rights and addressing the perception of increased insecurity among the resident population. Making legal migration easier and more accessible could allow an improved control of illegal migration and trafficking, but the existing social barriers between residents and immigrants, and the ghettoization of immigrant communities are often generating irrational policies.
• Allowing developing counties to benefit from the revenues (monetary revenues in terms of remittances, but in the case of migrant students also in terms of human resources,) of emigration, while reducing a brain drain, which can jeopardize development. Developing countries should facilitate the return of those economic immigrants that can contribute to the development of their country also thanks to their experience abroad.

Forced migration need to be treated as a completely separate issue, although I agree with Philip Dobie when he identifies a continuum in the spectrum of rationales behind the resettlement of populations. In case of populations escaping from conflicts or natural disasters, there are principles guaranteed by the international law, which are rarely respected and implemented. Thus, the analysis should focus on how to improve their implementation, instead of designing new policies. Ex-Yugoslavia offers interesting case studies, in terms of the enormous amounts of refugees and displaced populations generated by the recent conflicts, and the low number of returnees, even several years after the end of the conflict and despite the assistance of the international community.

Thank you for the opportunity of participating in this very interesting debate.

Best regards

Paola Pagliani
UNDP CO Serbia and Montenegro

Maxime Mbringa-Takama, UNDP Central African Republic, wrote:

TRANSLATED MESSAGE

Hello Kevin,

Just to confirm the importance of the theme of migration, as being a key issue in terms of human development. I’d also like to confirm my support of the analysis that was highlighted in your commentary on the 2006 report. Indeed, when using the Central African Republic as an example, migration can really be seen to be a question of development. If it is not considered as such, then an important aspect of the challenges which this country must face will be ignored.

After forty-five years of independence, the country has placed emphasis on rural development in order to sustain growth. Unfortunately, the policies that have been put into place have basically failed to take into account the mobility of young people when strategies for the social sectors were being formulated. Apart from some short-lived initiatives in the area of civic services that were implemented during the 1960s, and which involved reallocating young people from rural areas to training and production centers with a view to stemming the continuously increasing migratory trends – no other steps were devised or implemented. With the passing years, the domestic migration of young people towards the towns, mining and forest sites increased tenfold. Young people were idle, poor, and semi-literate or illiterate thus abandoned their villages every year en masse, only to find themselves in even more precarious circumstances. They became more and more vulnerable in their host shelters. Bearing in mind such consequences, it would appear today that the mobility of young people has a direct bearing on the spread of HIV/AIDS, the prevalence rate of which has surpassed 25% in some rural areas. It is responsible for the ageing, impoverishment and even disappearance of several villages. As a result, rural communities have been unable to sustain growth, due to the fact that they are very poor and have been robbed of their sources of labor.

In terms of strategy, how can UNDP manage this migratory phenomenon and deal with its impact as a human development issue? In the Central African Republic, the idea of supporting a national voluntary program targeting the socio-economic integration of migrants has taken root. In practice, more and more a certain category of young people disappointed with the fantastic promises initially offered by the host shelters is taking shape, and they are coming up with multi-faceted alternatives so as to ensure their socio-economic integration. Some of them, having benefited from training in how to mobilize resources with a view to sustainable development, a program which the UNDP supported in 2000-2001, have even chosen to help to encourage the most vulnerable to volunteer their talents and assume an active role. They provide advice and theoretical tools, facilitate their involvement in production sites and help them to start up lucrative activities that are social in nature. UNDP could utilize this voluntary initiative of sharing information and mobilizing people as critical leverage to resolve the aforementioned problems of mobility. At the institutional level, its action, through advocacy, would aim at establishing a policy framework that would help the voluntary action undertaken by young leaders to flourish. As regards technical support, the support of programs aimed at increasing public awareness, as well as training programs and information sessions could be envisaged in order to strengthen the resilience and desire to take action of these young volunteers.

Examples of voluntary programs being monitored on a day-to-day basis by UNDP in the outlying area of the town of Bangui, lends credence to the idea that if young people themselves are aware of their situation and come up alternative survival skills, with no assistance from the State, or NGOs, they reject the underlying premise of sustainable development initiatives. The work that still needs to be done consists of finding a way to capitalize on experiences, sustain such initiatives, lead them to fruition and then help to spread the information. Such are the perspectives and possibilities that should be explored.

Maxime-Faustin MBRINGA-TAKAMA
Facilitator, Energy/Environment task force
UNDP Central African Republic

ORIGINAL MESSAGE

Bonjour Kevin,

Juste pour confirmer l’importance du phénomène de migration, en tant que question centrale pour le développement humain. Juste pour confirmer aussi l’analyse mise en lumière dans votre commentaire sur le rapport de 2006. En effet, en prenant le cas de la République centrafricaine, la migration est véritablement une question de développement. Ne pas la considérer comme telle, c’est occulter une importante dimension des défis que le pays se doit de lever.

Indépendant depuis 45 ans, le pays a misé sur le développement rural pour soutenir la croissance. Malheureusement, les politiques mises en œuvre ont fondamentalement exclu la prise en compte de la mobilité des jeunes dans la formulation des stratégies des secteurs sociaux. A part des initiatives éphémères dans les années 60 de services civiques qui avaient consisté à regrouper des jeunes ruraux dans des centres de formation et de production afin de contrer les tendances migratoires de plus en plus accrues, rien d’autre n’a pu être pensé, ni fait. Au fil des temps, les flux des mouvements intérieurs des jeunes, vers les villes et les chantiers miniers et forestiers se sont décuplés. Des jeunes désoeuvrés, pauvres, semi ou non lettrés abandonnent donc massivement leurs villages, chaque année, et se retrouvent dans des situations encore plus précaires. Ils deviennent plus vulnérables dans leurs foyers d’accueil. Considérant simplement leurs conséquences, il apparaît aujourd’hui que la mobilité des jeunes est étroitement liée à la propagation du VIH/SIDA dont le taux de prévalence atteint jusqu’au-delà de 25% dans certaines zones rurales. Elle est rendue responsable du vieillissement, de l’appauvrissement et même de la disparition de nombreux villages, ce qui a pour conséquence, l’incapacité du monde rural, très appauvri et dépouillé de ses forces de travail, à soutenir la croissance.

Comment le PNUD pourrait –il prendre en charge de manière stratégique le phénomène migratoire et son impact comme un défi du développement humain ? En République centrafricaine, l’idée de promouvoir un volontariat national tourné vers l’intégration socio économique des migrants fait son bonhomme de chemin. En réalité, de plus en plus, une catégorie de jeunes déçus des illusions ou mirages initialement offerts par les foyers d’accueil se constitue, et développe des alternatives multiformes en vue de leur insertion socio économique. Certains, ayant bénéficié de la formation sur l’utilisation de la stratégie de mobilisation des moyens d’existence durable, appuyée par le PNUD dans les années 2000-2001, ont même opté pour la mobilisation volontaire et solidaire des plus vulnérables. Ils fournissant des conseils et des outils théoriques, facilitent leur implantation sur des sites de production et les organisent des jeunes autour des activités rémunératrices et sociales. Le PNUD pourrait trouver de ce mouvement volontaire d’échange et de mobilisation socio économique une piste d’entrée critique dans la résolution de ces problèmes de mobilité. Au plan institutionnel, son action, à travers le plaidoyer, viserait la mise en place d’un cadre de politique favorable à l’épanouissement des actions volontaires des jeunes leaders. Au plan d’appui technique, la promotion des activités de sensibilisation, d’information et de formation pourrait être menée aux fins de renforcer la résilience et les capacités d’action de ces jeunes volontaires.

Les exemples d’initiatives volontaires suivies au jour le jour par le PNUD à la périphérie de la ville Bangui, confortent à l’idée que si les jeunes eux-mêmes prennent conscients de leur sort et développent des alternatives de survie, sans aucun encadrement de l’Etat, ni d’une association non gouvernementale, ils jettent les bases d’actions durables. Tout le travail qui reste c’est comment capitaliser l’expérience, l’entretenir, le porter à la maturité et la disséminer. Voilà des perspectives et des pistes à creuser.

Maxime-Faustin MBRINGA-TAKAMA
Facilitateur communauté de pratique Energie-Environnement
PNUD CENTRAFRIQUE

Uyanga Gankhuyag, UNDP Mongolia, wrote:

Dear colleagues at HDR-net,

I would like to vote for the theme of Migration in the 2006 GHDR.

Mongolians have been experiencing waves of migration since the 1990es, the transition from an authoritarian, planned and an extremely closed society to one that is democratic, very open and trying to adjust to market principles. In early 1990es, after the collapse of industries, privatization and job cuts, the first wave of migration was from urban areas to rural areas, with people trying to cope with the severe disruption in the livelihoods by the return to pastoral livestock herding. Simultaneously, the many people of the Kazakh ethnic minority migrated to Kazakhstan in search for better opportunities and reunification with fellow Kazakhs.

However, following the devastating winter disasters during 1999-2001, the herders who lost their livestock are coming in large numbers to Ulaanbaatar, the capital city and a few other urban areas in search for employment, most in vain.

However, the state has not been able to respond in a proactive way or rapid way to migration. Similar things are happening all over the world. The states are not responding both because they are slow, but also because they have not found ways to respond to migration in the era of globalization and democratisation, when people have access to information about lives of people elsewhere.

Nomadic in nature, Mongolians are now taking their inclination for migration beyond Mongolia. Rapidly growing numbers of Mongolians are now living, studying and working abroad. Migration is an important means to learn from and exchange with the rest of the world, especially for a landlocked and remote country like Mongolia.

Migration is strongly linked to the state of human development in a country or a locality. People migrate because they don’t think that their future and the future for their children is sustainable. They migrate because they are not empowered and don’t have equal opportunities. People also migrate because they are not able to apply their skills and energy productively, when they can not find jobs.

Therefore, I believe that it is crucial for UNDP to thoroughly analyse the most important aspects of migration including the following:

1) International migration: Migration is strongly dependent on human development situation of sending countries, which are most often developing countries. Therefore, the need for a more equitable global trading system and the need to assist poor countries is not only because of altruism, it is also because in the long-term, better human development outcomes in poorer countries would help to reduce pressures of in-migration into developed countries;

2) Internal migration: Bringing out the best practices of managing internal (most often rural-to-urban) migration to enable other states to learn from them.

Best regards,

Uyanga
UNDP Mongolia

Shirley Randell, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Bangladesh, wrote:

Voting for item 3: access to basic services or women's empowerment.

Dr Shirley Randell AM
Project Implementation Specialist
Capacity Building for Gender Mainstreaming Project UNDP/Ministry of Women and Children Affairs

Michel Ahohounkpanzon, UNDP Bénin, wrote:

Bonjour

Je vote pour le thème: 4. Accès aux services de base : santé, éducation, eau et assainissement.

Merci

Dr Michel Ahohounkpanzon
Economiste, Conseiller en Politiques
UNDP Bénin

Mutar Ahmed Abdullah Juma, UNDP United Arab Emirates, wrote:

Dear Kevin

UNDP should always think about new themes that has been not raised before and not repeating these issues again and again. I believe water crisis is a globe coming problem. UNDP as a development org. should be able to address the issues. I am strongly support the theme of World Water Crisis- to be for the next HDR.

Regards,

Dr. Mutar Ahmed Abdullah Juma
UNDP United Arab Emirates

Anuradha Saxena, UNDP India, wrote:

My vote for - Averting a Water Crisis.


Anuradha Saxena
UNDP India

Yu Gao, UNDP China, wrote:

[Facilitator’s note: Although this discussion is now closed, we would like to share the following contribution that was received from Gao Yu, UNDP China. Please note that the Consolidated Reply will follow soon. Many thanks to all colleagues who have shared their ideas on next year’s global HDR theme!]

Dear colleagues,

I would like to vote for “Natural Disasters and Human Development”. Disaster is an ideal theme for a HDR for “disasters disrupt life, livelihood, economies, political systems, belief systems- in short, everything that makes society work.” (World Disasters Report 2001). The Indian Ocean tsunami is just another shocking example how natural disasters like earthquakes, cyclones, floods, and drought can cause major loss for the human society. Unfortunately, the upward trend of natural hazards will only seem to intensify as the global climate change becomes more drastic. Two years ago, I was quite skeptical of the analysis in the Pentagon report on “An Abrupt Climate Change Scenario and Its Implications for United States National Security”, but today, when in Early May, northern China has reached 32 centigrade, and southern China has hails that kills people and this is exactly what the report predicted, I realized it is better than not to prepare for the unlikely. .

Natural hazards not only create widespread economic, social and environmental destruction, but also pose major challenges to efforts of poverty reduction, peace and security, governance, human rights, aid and debt relief, etc. While countries and the international development community are reflecting on the Indian Ocean Tsunami, a comprehensive HDR on the topic of disaster and human development would be a great value-add if it could enable greater knowledge and understanding of the broader impacts of natural disasters, the extent of challenges they create for the attainment of long-term human development goals, and how national governments and international community should respond (including lessons learned from disaster recovery experiences)..

Network members in our discussion so far seem to favor migration more as our next HDR theme, which makes perfect sense (for that, I have attached a few reports done on the migration issue in China for your further reference). However, I concur with Raissa and Patrice and would like to emphasize that it makes little difference whether we have a HDR on migration in 2006 or 2007, but a HDR on Disaster/crisis would.

The beauty of a HDR on disaster/crisis is also that “an estimated 97 percent of natural disasters related deaths each year occur in developing countries and, although, small in absolute figures, the percentage of economic loss in relation to the GDP in developing countries far exceeds that in developing countries. 24 of the 49 LDCs face high levels of disaster risk; at least 6 of them have been hit by major disasters every year in the last 15 years, with long-term consequences for human development” (EC Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Strategy).

My best wishes.

Gao Yu
UNDP China

Please find below some background information on migration in China:

Huang Ping and Frank N. Pleke: China Migration Country Study.
The purpose of this study is to synthesize information on internal and international migration in China in order to inform DFID. This paper was presented at the Regional Conference on Migration, Development and Pro-Poor Policy Choices in Asia, which took place on 22-24 June 2003 in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Huan Ping and Zhan Shaohua: Internal Migration in China: Linking it to Development.
This paper was presented on the Regional Conference on Migration and Development in Asia, which took place on 14-16 March 2005 in Lanzouh, China. The study examines the relationship between migration and development and poverty alleviation. It argues that internal labor migration can have positive effects on development and poverty alleviation in the areas of origin.

Bryan Lohmar, Fred Gale, and Linxiu Zhang: New Opportunities for Economic Assessment with Rural Household Data in China.
This paper was prepared for presentation at the MEXSAI Third Annual Conference on Agricultural Statistics, Cancun, November 2-4, 2004. It provides an overview of the response of the social science community to generate appropriate data for researching changes in China’s rural economy since the reforms in 1979.

Nong Zhu and Sandra Poncet: Provincial migration dynamics in China: borders, centripetal forces and trade.
This study pays particular attention to the influence of access to market on migration flows and through it to the strength of the centripetal forces which affect the geography of China as a whole. It also examines the relationship between domestic migration and trade.

Cai Fang: The Invisible Hand and the Visible Feet: Internal Migration in China. December 2000.
This paper provides a general picture of migration/labor mobility in post-reform China

Moeketsi Phalatsi, UNDP Lesotho, wrote:

I wish to cast my vote for the 2006 HDR theme for "Averting a Water Crisis".

Water is a necessity for live. To highlight water as an important item, a number of initiatives have been carried out throughout the world and people from different parts of the globe have been continuing to advocate for responsible use of water and discouraging water waste, mismanagement and pollution of water sources. It is my feeling that water therefore needs be put high on the international agenda of development. Water supplies in most parts of the globe are neither safe nor adequate. Towards the end of 20th century 1000 million people did not have access to water for household consumption. In some places people walk several kilometers to access safe water or have to rely on boiling water from rivers. In places where there is unsafe and scarce water resources diseases like cholera have been devastating people’s lives. HIV and AIDS in such places also pose a major threat to human life because as unhealthy environment persists, opportunistic diseases go on an increase. Lack of water for agricultural production can further impact on poor harvests and ultimately, food insecurity.

Populations need to be empowered to adopt different ways to avert water crises through activities such as:

• Harvesting rainwater through storage tanks and dam constructions for household consumption.
• Embarking into irrigation schemes for food production to ensure food security.
• Management of water and protection of water sources to encourage sustainable use and;
• Avoidance of pollution for all sources of water.

There is a need to also devise methods to have integrated water programs at regional, national and sub-national levels. As a means of advocacy on the importance of water and to encourage responsible and sustainable usage for human development, I vote for the 2006 theme “Averting a Water Crisis”.

Moeketsi Phalatsi
Social Policy Officer
UNDP Lesotho

Gwynneth Wong, UNDP Lesotho, wrote:

Dear Colleagues,

Migration is a topic of great interest to Lesotho, southern Africa and internationally. For Lesotho migration is an issue of movement both within and beyond the country that greatly impacts on it's nearly 30% HIV prevalence rate that is effecting the direction and rate of development of the country.

Within Lesotho there is a migrant population of herd-boys who leave home and travel the country minding herds of animals. These young boys will stop attending school to tend to the animals and lose the support of their families and communities. Lack of access education results in unusual statistic where there is a higher female than male literacy rate. Also within the country there is the rural-urban migration where often young women move to urban areas in hopes of working in textile factories. To complement this income, women turn to prostitution in order to make a living for themselves and families in the villages. Unfortunately, since January we have seen the close of eight of the textile factories, adding to the already 49% high level of unemployment. This trend is also felt through the many miners who have returned from South Africa back to their homes in Lesotho. They have entered families and communities unemployed, where for many years they 'lived' during their brief annual visits. There is also the movement of educated and trained professionals to other countries, whether they are other low income or high income countries. A continuous pull is being felt by countries of all income-levels as other countries try to fill their hole of lack of professionals.

With migratory human populations there are great effects felt on HIV & AIDS, none more so in Africa where this is on top of numerous other issues that are contributing to the spread of the pandemic. And this needs to be addressed before sustained development can continue. Policies can be challenged and created especially with concrete information and statistics on how countries' development progressed is being influenced by the movement of people within and across borders.

Best regards,

Gwynneth Wong
UNDP Lesotho

Khalil Tian Shahyd, Brandeis University, wrote:

I would like to contribute three ideas for the 2006 global HDR.

One obvious suggestion I'm sure that has been made before is the Ecology of Human Development. To look at connections between human development and environmental ecology.

Another interesting topic might be to give focused attention to the human development implications of bi and multi lateral free trade agreements.

My third suggestion would be a focus on the state of human development among the world's national minority groups.

Thank you...

Khalil Tian Shahyd
MA Candidate-Sustainable International Development
Heller School for Social Policy and Management
Brandeis University

Maharaj Muthoo, Roman Forum, wrote:

[Facilitator's note: To view the IOM opinion in the International Heral Tribune of 24th June 2005, please go to: http://hdr.undp.org/docs/network/hdr_net/HDR2006_McKinley_IHT.pdf]

Notwithstanding the somewhat skeptical viewpoint about Migration in my response for next year's HDR , we have been looking at it and feel that it too could be an issue on which a wake-up call is warranted. Apart from the IOM opinion in IHT of 24th June 2005 ( attached herewith), we have noted that world's labor force is about 3 billion, with 2.5 billion in developing countries, where projected growth is 40 million a year through 2010 as against a million in high income countries. Offshoring and outsourcing is a consequence of lack of skilled labor and high labor costs in developed countries, mostly in services industries. Many of these countries will have shrinking workforce if present trends continue while unemployment and under employment will widen in the countries. Ageing in developed countries exacerbates the trend and if Migration is taken up as the topics for HDR, it may be better to do so under the title of Migration, Ageing and Outsourcing, in order to look at the nexus among these interrelated aspects. A single minded look at Migration would not allow a holistic appraisal of the issue. The 1992 HDR had made some projections about migration, e.g., if an additional 2 per cent of the 2.5 billion labor force in developing countries were allowed entry in countries short of labor force that would be additional 50 million migrants. If each migrant earned an average of US 5,000 and remitted 20 per cent of foreign earnings that would amount to US50 billion, which would be equivalent to the then prevailing ODA through reasonable remittances. At the same time, we believe the world's GDP could grow much more by liberalizing labor flow, perhaps even more than trade liberalization. Economic impact of migration is generally positive, but it basically a question of creating a enabling environment for ensuring the equitable flow of these increases in income..

Maharaj Muthoo
Prof. Dr. Maharaj Muthoo
President, Roman Forum