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Human Development Research Papers

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Dealing with key human development issues.

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Publications

The Human Development Report Office has authored several publications and has worked with external organizations, researchers, and publishers to create interesting literature that captures the mandate and wealth of knowledge that has been generated through our work.

Publications: Human Development Reports and related | Learning and training materials | Books and periodicals

Human Development Reports and related

Human Development Report

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

Human Development Research Paper Series
Topical research on key issues in human development

The Human Development Research Paper (HDRP) Series is a medium for sharing recent research commissioned to inform the global Human Development Report, which is published annually, and further research in the field of human development. The authors include leading academics and practitioners from around the world, as well as UNDP researchers.

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

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

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

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

People First: Human Development Reports
DVD

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

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

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

Learning and training materials

Measuring Human Development
A Primer

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

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

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

HDR Timeline
Key Steps in the Human Development Report Process

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

HD Insights
Monthly newsletter for practitioners

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

Ideas, Innovation, Impact
How Human Development Reports Influence Change

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

Books and periodicals

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

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

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

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

Sustainable Human Development
A Young People's Introduction

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

Note: Additional learning resources are listed in our section on Human Development.