The Human Development Reports: Six Questions on Their Use at Princeton   Human Development Report 2004 Cultural Liberty in Today’s Diverse World Accommodating people’s growing demands for their inclusion in society, for respect of their ethnicity, religion, and language, takes more than democracy and equitable growth. Also needed are multicultural policies that recognize differences, champion diversity and promote cultural freedoms, so that all people can choose to speak their language, practice their religion, and participate in shaping their culture—so that all people can choose to be who they are. -from the UNDP website, viewed October 2004

1.  What is the Human Development Report?

The Human Development Report is a series of publications issued by the United Nations Development Programme on behalf of many agencies and offices within the U.N.  There is an annual global report  which began in 1990, and which continues to be published, usually in May of each year.  There are also more than a  hundred regional and national reports, and even a few sub-national reports, such as those for India.  Human Development Reports provide a unique blend of comprehensive social and economic statistics along with an interpretative narrative.  Their purpose is to highlight the effect on individual lives of policy, and to document in some detail the status of people all over the world, in all types of situations.

The Human Development Report was 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 goal was both massive and simple, with far-ranging implications — going beyond income to assess the level of people’s long-term well-being. Bringing about development of the people, by the people, and for the people, and emphasizing that the goals of development are choices and freedoms.

Since the first Report, four new composite indices for human development have been developed — the Human Development Index, the Gender-related Development Index, the Gender Empowerment Measure, and the Human Poverty Index. Each Report also focuses on a highly topical theme in the current development debate, providing path-breaking analysis and policy recommendations. The Reports’ messages — and the tools to implement them — have been embraced by people around the world, evidenced by the publication of national human development reports at the country level in more than 120 nations.        --  From the UNDP Website (http://www.undp.org), viewed July 2004

2.  Where are Human Development Reports found at Princeton?

Some Humand Development Reports are found at Princeton in paper format, and can be located through the Online Catalog.  In 2004, there are some 15 titles found here.  The global Human Development Report is found in several locations including the UN Collection in the Social Science Reference Center on A Floor of Firestone Library.. Regional and country reports are found in various locations.

Most of the Human Development Reports are available electronically on United Nations Development Program (UNDP) websites in countries around the world.  The UNDP website at UN Headquarters in New York City serves as a gateway to these reports.  There reports will be found first in the language of the country or region; there may or may not be an English language version.  Also, even through a report, especially an English language version, is listed on the page, the link may not be active.

3.  Why are the Human Development Reports useful at Princeton?

Human Development Reports at global and regional levels provide measures of development which are not always readily found in other sources.  This is especially true for social measures, such as gender empowerment and children’s issues, and for statistics on topics such as the prevalence of smoking and of HIV/AIDS, traditional fuel consumption, and carbon dioxide emissions.  There is also narrative provided to put figures into context.  But especially, for many areas of the world, the Human Development Report at the regional or the national level provides detail and discussion that often goes to the provincial or local levels in a geographic sense.  Or, also of great utility, issues such as rural - urban comparisons are finely drawn.  In both cases, there are few if any other sources for this sort of information.

4.  Do Human Development Reports include statistics?

Yes, in both paper and electronic editions..  But electronic format of statistics in the Human Development Reports has been very cumbersome in comparison to other country level statistical sources available here at Princeton, such as those of the World Bank’s World Development Indicators and the EIU Country Reports.    This comes from two factors.  One is that figures in the Human Development Reports are first grouped by measure, and only then by country. The other difficulty in using statistics from the Human Development Reports is that for most measures, only one year at a time is provided. However, the statistical content on the main UNDP site is at present being brought up to a useful standard, since the ability to create datasets by country and across years is shown to be in development.

5.  What are problems and limitations in using Human Development Reports?

Human Development Reports are hosted on local sites all over the world, and due to the vagaries of Internet connectivity, the site can be unavailable for some extended periods.  Also, the English language version of a report can be present, and then disappear.  This happens in an unfortunate number of cases.  For example, the site in Yemen lists two English language reports, but only the Arabic language text is a live link.  If an agendy or body such as the UNDP Headquarters in New York served as a central mirror site for all Human Development Reports, it could mitigate these difficulties.

Another problem with Human Development Reports is that they may be written from what could be judged to be an idealized perspective.  The dark side of poverty and instability is not addressed.  For example, for the Caribbean and elsewhere in Latin America, for the illegal drug trade, if the extent and consequences to individual countries and to the rest of the world is to be considered, another source would need to be consulted such as the EIU Country Reports and Profiles database.  Security in not addressed in Human Development Reports. 

A third caution to be offered in using the Human Development Reports is that the value that could come from work with industrialized nations and with international business is not always recognized.  The reports can at times be seen to focus on local populations and local initiatives as being the only hope for progress for those who live in that area.

6.  Are Human Development Reports recommended for reference purposes on our campus?

Yes, certainly they are.  There is a level of detail and geographic specificity found here that is both unique and useful.  When used with other appropriate sources to create a well-rounded and balanced view from an academic perspective, Human Development Reports are very important in the teaching and research of Princeton University.