Lead author Ms. Jeni Klugsman addresses the audience
UNIC Canberra, in association with the Australian National University's Crawford School, launched the 2010 edition of the United Nations Development Programme's (UNDP) flagship Human Development Report in Canberra on 13 December 2010. Joined by an expert panel was lead author Ms. Jeni Klugman who highlighted key findings, trends and success stories in her 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.
The full Report can be found here.
An interview of Ms. Jeni Klugman by Michael Tyrpenou, UNIC Canberra, can be downloaded here.