Development Issues

The Earth Summit brings together various stakeholders in the development process, from business associations to green groups, with the objective of achieving a model for sustainable development in which all stakeholders can benefit. The website provides reports about debates and outcomes.

Human development, according to the UNDP, is about “creating an environment in which people can develop their full potential and lead productive, creative lives in accord[ance] with their needs and interests.” The UNDP started compiling HDRs to keep track of development thus defined. The Human Development Index, which measures development more broadly, is the centrepiece of the HDR.

Website of the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) of the University of Sussex. Has an archive of articles and academic papers on development issues. IDS titles are also available at its online bookshop. Free downloads of some titles.

Key global statistics on a range of subjects, from energy to external debt. Not all the information is available free of charge.

Wide-ranging and in-depth coverage of development issues, and of UNDP policies and programmes. Also: development news from around the world.

Website of UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Excellent source for country-wise statistics about education, science and technology, and culture and communications. Also has archive of news and reports from around the world on these subjects .

Publisher of World Development Indicators (WDI). Website provides well-presented tables of major economic and development indicators for countries and country-groups, compiled from official statistical systems of national governments.