Conversations on Rethinking Human Development A global dialogue on human development in today’s world Conversations on Rethinking Human Development is produced by the International Science Council, as part of a joint initiative by the International Science Council and the United Nations Development Programme. The designations employed and the presentation of material throughout this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the ISC or the UNDP concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The Conversations on Rethinking Human Development project team is responsible for the overall presentation. Each author is responsible for the facts contained in his/her article or interview, and the opinions expressed therein, which are not necessarily those of the ISC or the UNDP and do not commit these organizations. Suggested citation: International Science Council. 2020. Conversations on Rethinking Human Development, International Science Council, Paris. DOI: 10.24948/2020.09 ISBN: 978-92-9027-800-9 Work with the ISC to advance science as a global public good. Connect with us at: www.council.science [email protected] International Science Council 5 rue Auguste Vacquerie 75116 Paris France www.twitter.com/ISC www.facebook.com/InternationalScience www.instagram.com/council.science www.linkedin.com/company/international-science-council Graphic design: Mr. Clinton Conversations on Rethinking Human Development A global dialogue on human development in today’s world FOREWORD ISC The human development approach that Article 27 of the Universal Declaration of changed the way decision-makers around Human Rights includes the right of everyone the world think about human progress was to share in scientific advancement and its developed through the work of prominent benefits. This means that science must reflect economists like Amartya Sen and Mahbub diverse human experiences and, in turn, Ul Haq. Over the last 30 years the Human contribute to the well-being of all people and Development Reports have provided us of the complex, interconnected social and with an important perspective on human natural systems upon which we depend. well-being and have inspired us to ask what The international scientific community stands matters, what has worked and where we ready to be a key partner in the development should renew our efforts to improve lives. and implementation of policies to promote Current social, environmental, economic, human development, and to do this effectively, technological and health transformations we must continue to push for more diversity and call upon us to take stock and strengthen inclusivity in science itself. The opportunities and our collective resolve to meet common freedoms at the heart of the human development goals towards an equitable, sustainable and approach are central to promoting a vibrant meaningful life for all. Today, in the light of and diverse scientific community and a scientific all we have learned about human well-being enterprise that is open, engaged and trusted. in a rapidly changing world, the scientific community is called upon to help guide the This publication is the result of a rewarding further development of this concept. partnership with the UNDP based on the idea that strengthened science-policy engagement Rethinking a multi-dimensional concept is critical in responding to the unprecedented such as human development calls for an challenges and opportunities the world faces inclusive, multi-disciplinary and truly global today. We would like to thank all those who conversation. The ISC, with its members provided their valuable insights through this around the world representing both the social ongoing collaboration. We also take this and natural sciences, is uniquely positioned opportunity to extend our gratitude to the to advance this dialogue. In this publication project Steering Group for their contributing you will find interviews and commentaries their sizable expertise and enthusiasm of experts representing a range of scientific towards guiding this effort. backgrounds, from philosophers and cultural theorists to ecologists and astronomers. These The inspiring conversation that has been diverse lenses on the question of human triggered by this project has only just begun. well-being challenge us to develop a new and It is an important first step towards fostering more comprehensive view of key issues and a new understanding of what we as a global possible ways forward. society consider valuable and worth striving for. Heide Hackmann CEO ISC 4 Foreword FOREWORD UNDP Thirty years ago, when the first Human The central premise of the human Development Report was released, the development paradigm – that progress should world was a very different place. The Cold be seen as a process of enlarging people’s War had just ended, the World Wide Web choices and wellbeing – remains just as true had just begun, and few had even heard of today as it was when the framework was first climate change. It comes as no surprise that put in place 30 years ago by Mahbub ul Haq a development approach, framed by the and Amartya Sen. world of 1990, needs reassessment in order to However, while that premise might be true, ensure its continued relevance. its application has had to evolve, just as the COVID-19, with its likely origins in human development landscape and expectations pressures on the environment and its unequal have evolved, as has our understanding impact on people around the world, shows on how to address deeply interconnected all too clearly how challenges – both old challenges. Understanding the state of the and emerging – are compounding and art in all forms of science and humanities threatening hard-won progress. These are, is critical and getting that fuller picture has indeed, extraordinary times. But these times been greatly helped by the combined wealth also give us an opportunity to remember the of knowledge from across the ISC. And importance of greater human freedom and what started as a time-bound process with choice in the development process and look a clear deliverable evolved into an ongoing at how thinking might need to shift in order to platform to continuously seek inputs into the tackle the great challenges we face today. reimagination of the human development narrative. This report, therefore, marks not the And this is why the Human Development end but the beginning of a journey. Report Office at UNDP and the ISC came together to help ‘Rethink Human As we collectively try to overcome one of the Development’. We wanted to provide an biggest development crises of our lifetimes, opportunity for inputs from the scientific we must not simply focus on the here and now community, in the natural and social sciences without looking to the future. A rearticulated and the humanities, to feed into reimagining human development framework can provide conceptual frameworks to guide analysis, a navigation system which we can use to chart measurement and decision-making through a a future that is more sustainable, inclusive and human development lens. resilient for everyone. The contributions have come out of both expert contributions and responses to a global call for new perspectives. Pedro Conceição Director Human Development Report Office United Nations Development Programme Foreword 5 TABLE OF CONTENTS Foreword. .4 Heide Hackmann, Chief Executive Officer, International Science Council Foreword . .5 Pedro Conceição, Director, Human Development Report Office, United Nations Development Programme Table of contents. .6 Section 1: Introduction 9 Section 2: Synthesis of the discussion 13 Rethinking Human Development: a journey of multiple and shifting narratives 14 Section 3: Starting the discussion 35 Mapping emerging dimensions of human development: a proposal for discussion 36 Reflections on constructing a human-centred development paradigm,Ismail Serageldin 41 Reflections on human potential and resilience: a response byPeter Gluckman 61 The key role of institutions for human development: a response by Elisa Reis 68 Section 4: Voices from across the world 71 Epistemologies & contexts . .72 The human: an alternative ground for ‘development’, Anthony Bogues 72 The ability to pursue and realize life goals is at the core of human development, Anne-Greet Keizer 78 Towards a global, pluralistic view of human developments, Johannes M. Waldmüller 84 Four suggestions for the rearticulation of human development, Des Gasper 91 Human development must account for moral sentiments, Flavio Comim 94 Human development can help bring SDGs from the billboards into people’s lives, Stuart Carr 100 Human development is about people being able to meet their aspirations, Arthur Grimes 105 Sustainable human development from the ground up, Mandy Yap 110 Human development must not ignore the suffering of people in poverty, Xavier Godinot 114 Environmental sustainability . .119 Sustainable human development means living in harmony with nature, Yanfen Wang 119 Human development should focus on people and the planet, David Molden 123 The biggest threat to human development is excessive consumption in high-income 127 economies, Jason Hickel Well-being versus GDP: the challenge and opportunity of human development 134 in the 21st century, David C. Korten We need a stronger notion of common human needs, Ian Gough 140 Human development is dependent on planetary well-being, Aditi