UNIC Canberra, in association with the Australian National University's Crawford School, launched the 2010 edition of the United Nations Development Programme's flagship Human Development Report in Canberra on Monday, 13 December 2010.
Joined by an expert panel was lead author Ms. Jeni Klugman who highlighted key findings, trends and success stories in a 25 minute address.
With Bob McMullan, former Parliamentary Secretary, Vincent Ashcroft, Assistant Director General, AusAID, Ron Duncan, Emeritus Professor, ANU, Kate Higgins, Research Fellow, Overseas Development Institute and Marc Purcell, Executive Director, Australian Council for International Development, on hand to discuss its findings, a lively debate was enjoyed by over 100 guests, media and dignitaries.
Whilst differing industry views and academic contexts predominated the topics of discussion, and audience questions, Ms. Klugman was pleased with the overall response.
"These forums provide a great opportunity for feedback and criticisms," she said.
"Obviously the Report is not perfect, and the results won't please everyone, but it is a great information tool to inform discussion and debate surrounding development."
Looking back rigorously at the past several decades, the Report, entitled The Real Wealth of Nations: Pathways to Human Development, identifies often surprising trends and patterns with important lessons for the future.
These varied pathways to human development show that there is no single formula for sustainable progress—and that impressive gains can be achieved even without consistent economic growth.
Focussing on more indicators than income, Ms. Klugman believes that the Report provides a more optimistic lens with which to view development.
"The report highlights that the world, comparatively, is a better place to live now than 40, or, 20 years ago," she added.
"What is most pleasing is that there has been overall global progress by way of human development."
The Report can be found at http://hdr.undp.org/en/.
Lead author Ms. Jeni Klugman addresses the audience at the UNIC Canberra and Crawford School launch of the 2010 Human Development Report.