Human Development

The human development approach is about expanding the richness of human life, rather than simply the richness of the economy in which human beings live. It is an approach that is focused on people and their opportunities and choices. Human development aims to improve the lives people lead rather than assuming economic growth will lead to greater well-being. In 1990, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) introduced human development as a new approach for advancing human well-being. The three foundations for human development are (1) to live a long, healthy, and creative life, (2) to be knowledgeable, and (3) to have access to resources for a decent standard of living. The process of human development should create an environment for people, individually and collectively, to develop to their full potential and have a reasonable chance of leading productive and creative lives they value.