27 October 2005, Kabul Afghanistan: UNDP Afghanistan is pleased to support the organization of Kabul University’s first-ever “Human Development Month”. Through a series of events, Human Development Month at Kabul University will seek to generate awareness among students, faculty and media about the key messages from the Global and first National Human Development Reports.
“These activities will also mark the beginning of a renewed relationship between UNDP and Kabul University,” says Richard Ponzio, Strategic Planning Advisor for UNDP. “Concrete steps will be undertaken to ensure that the promotion of human development (both in theory and in practice) for all Afghans is placed at the heart of the university’s mission.”
UNDP first launched the Global Human Development Report (HDR) in 1990, with the single goal of putting people at the centre of the development process in terms of economic debate, policy and advocacy. The main goal was both massive and simple, with far-ranging implications, going beyond income to assess the level of people’s long-term wellbeing; bringing about development of the people, by the people, and for the people and emphasizing that the goals of development are choices and freedom.
Since the first Human Development 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 ground-breaking analysis and policy recommendations. The 2005 Global Human Development Report focuses on issues of trade, aid and security, each of which will be discussed in the opening forum on November 1 by Dr. Amirsha Hassanyar, Minister of Higher Education; Honorable Minister of Finance, Dr. Anwarul Haq Ahadi, and Honorable Minister of Commerce, Mr. Hedayat Amin Arsala.
UNDP published Afghanistan’s first National Human Development Report (NHDR) in February 2005. The theme, Security with a Human Face, marks the first time in modern history that objective observers were allowed to gather and tabulate hard data on living conditions among everyday Afghans. It draws a portrait of a nation still at odds—if no longer at war—with itself. And in a novel approach to peacemaking, the unblinking, unvarnished Report concludes that "human security" and "human development," rather than military force and diplomacy alone, are key to resolving Afghanistan's complex problems. The legitimate grievances of the Afghan people must be addressed before a lasting peace can take hold. Beyond survival, Afghans expect an existence with dignity, a life free of fear and free from wants. Security with a Human Face will be included as a major theme for debate throughout the development month.
UNDP will manage an essay contest on the subject of human development, encouraging academic excellence in issues raised throughout the month. A $500 prize will be offered to the winning student which will be announced in January 2006. Additionally, selected media are currently receiving training on how to report on human development in order to provide effective public education on pertinent issues.
1 November 2005: Global Human Development Report 2005: Aid, Trade and Security in an Unequal World
Time: 10:00-11:30
Chair: Dr. Amirsha Hassanyar, Minister of Higher Education
Presentations:
- UNDP Country Director Mr. Frederick Lyons: The origins of the Global Human Development Report
- Dr. Daud Saba, Author of the Afghanistan HDR: Overview of the Key Messages of the Global Human Development Report 2005
- Finance Minister Anwar-ul Haq Ahadi: The Global HDR 2005, the importance of the Human Development Concept to Afghanistan
- Hedayat Amin Arsala Senior Advisor to the President and Minister of Commerce: The Global HDR 2005, Trade and their relation to Afghanistan Today
16 November 2005: Human Development: Concepts and Measurement Tools
Time: 10:00-11:30
Chair: UNDP
Presentations:
- Dr. Omar Zakhilwal, Author of the Afghanistan HDR: The Concept of Human Development
- Abdul Rashid Fakhri, Afghanistan HDR Advisory Panel Member: Data Collection and Composite Indicators
- Dr. Daud Saba, Author of the Afghanistan HDR author : Calculation of the HD Indices
- Hafizullah Hadad, Head of the Planning Department of Academy of Science and member of the NHDR advisory panel; Methods of Research
30 November 2005: Afghanistan National Human Development Report: Security with a Human Face
Time: 10:00-11:30
Chair:Dr. Ashraf Ghani, Chancellor of Kabul University
Presentations
- Younas Payab; Assistant Country Director UNDP: Human Development Reports and the First Afghanistan HDR
- Dr Ashraf Ghani, Chancellor of Kabul University; subject TBC
- Daud Saba, Omar Zakhilwal or Abdullah Mojadeddi: NHDR presentation
The latter two sessions will include additional speakers and an opportunity for question and answers from students, media and other participants.
To participate in Human Development Month, please contact:
Fakhruddin Azizi, Programme Officer, NHDR
079306311
fakhr.azizi@undp.org
Media enquiries should be directed to:
Hamed Eqbal, National Information Officer
070252285
hamed.iqbal@undp.org
Hard copies of the Global Human Development Report are available from:
http://hdr.undp.org/reports/global/2005/
Copies of the National Human Development Report can be downloaded and/or ordered from:
