Human development has been conceptualized as a fluid framework which focuses on assisting people in obtaining and or enriching the overall wellbeing of all people in a humane and respectful manner. Particular emphasis is made in asserting that all human beings are provided with opportunities that reflect ensuring access to all aspects of one’s life including social, political, and cultural fulfillments.
United Nations Development Programme. (2014). About human development. Retrieved from http://hdr.undp.org/en/humandev (Accessed February 5, 2014).
An alternative way human development is defined involves examining the interrelations between the development of nation states and migrant rights. Through this scope, human development is therefore seen as appreciating possible tensions between citizens of a state and migrant rights in order to ensure all human beings have the capacity to live a free and just life.
Ruhs, M. (2010). Migrant rights, immigration policy and human development. Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, 11(2), 259-279. Retrieved from http://journals2. scholarsportal.info.ezproxy.lib.ryerson.ca/ details/00207985 /v47i0005/115_mrilana.xml (Accessed February 5, 2014).
Another way human development has been defined and constructed encompasses the idea that domestic and international governance must be held accountable and make priority the need to frame state as well as international policies in a democratic and equitable way. Human development is then further stated to require engaging in environmental risk assessments and being conscious of the ever-changing human population.
United Nations Development Programme (2013). Human Development Report 2013: The Rise of the South: Human Progress in a Diverse World. Population and Development Review, 39(3), 548-549. Retrieved from http://journals1.scholarsportal.info.ezproxy .lib.ryerson.ca/details /00987921/v39i0003/548 _undphdhpiadw.xml (Accessed February 5, 2014).
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has defined development as a human right pertaining to the right to self-governance and complete sovereignty that extends beyond the economic realm. Human development in this instance is based upon an anti-discrimination framework that emphasizes the need for equality and recognizing all individuals’ basic freedoms and fundamental rights.
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (2012). Development is a human right for all. Retrieved from http://www.ohchr.org /EN/Issues/Development t/Pages /Introduction.aspx (Accessed February 9, 2014).
In regards to migrant workers, human development may involve ensuring such employees are awarded basic rights and freedoms including right to safe working conditions, health benefits, proper training, and adequate housing including other provisions under the United Nation’s Migrant Worker’s Convention.
Martin, S., & Abimourched, R. (2009). Migrant Rights: International Law and National Action. International Migration, (47) (5), 115-138. Retrieved from http://journals2.scholarsportal.info.ezproxy.lib.ryerson.ca/details/00207985/v47i0005/115_mrilamr.xml (Accessed February 9, 2014).
In 2008 the Swedish government had demonstrated a form of human development by introducing labour immigration policy regimes that set rules in place to ensure that job opportunities are offered equally within Sweden and the European Union. This state initiative reflected an attempt prevent discrimination against less skilled migrant workers and empower labour unions to have a say regarding terms of employment.
Ruhs, M. (2010). Migrant rights, immigration policy and human development. Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, 11(2), 259-279. Retrieved from http://journals2. scholarsportal.info.ezproxy.lib.ryerson.ca/ details/00207985 /v47i0005/115_mrilana.xml (Accessed February 5, 2014).
Other instances of human development pertain to the development of international, multilateral agreements that involve efforts to reduce problems related to climate change in attempt to ensure the health of all individuals across borders. This had been demonstrated at the 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro in which groups representing public/private corporations, organizations, and nation states were able to create agreements and partnerships to reduce the global issue of deforestation.
United Nations Development Programme (2013). Human Development Report 2013: The Rise of the South: Human Progress in a Diverse World. Population and Development Review, 39(3), 548-549. Retrieved from http://journals1.scholarsportal.info.ezproxy .lib.ryerson.ca/details /00987921/v39i0003/548 _undphdhpiadw.xml (Accessed February 5, 2014).
Additional instances of state bodies attempting to prioritize human development initiatives include Zambia’s parliament passing a national bill which ensured that the National HIV/AIDS/STD/TB Council (NAC) facilitate a national strategy to aid in the HIV/AIDs pandemic. This human development initiative demanded cooperation between community-based organizations, governmental bodies as well as the business sector to collaborate action demonstrating a global responsibility to engage in human development.
United Nations Development Programme (2007) Zambia Human Development Report 2007: Enhancing household capacity to respond to HIV and AIDS. http://hdr.undp.org/en/reports /nationalreports /africa/zambia/ZHDR07.pdf. (Accessed February 9, 2014).
Artiles, A. M. (2008). Towards a fair deal for migrant workers in the global economy. Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, 14(4), 706-709. Retrieved from http://trs.sagepub.com.ezproxy.lib.ryerson.ca/content/14/4/706 (Accessed February 9, 2014).
Li, W. D. H. (2011). Developmental state, human rights and migrant workers. Development and Society, 40(1), 139-151. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.lib.ryerson.ca /login?url=http ://search.proquest.com/docview/887898389?accountid=13631 (Accessed February 5, 2014).
Sigh, A.I. (2002). Human rights and development. UN Chronicle, 39(1), 30. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.lib.ryerson.ca/docview/218159963 (Accessed February 6, 2014).
Wieczorek-Zeul, H. (2008). Human rights and development. Environmental Policy and Law, 38(5), 249-250. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.lib.ryerson.ca/docview/ 214152106 (Accessed February 6, 2014).
Other related terms:
-Decent Livelihood
-Global Governance
Due to the abstract nature of the term ‘human development’ it is difficult to examine case law that has significantly implemented or applied such a concept.
Martin, S., & Abimourched, R. (2009). Migrant Rights: International Law and National Action. International Migration, 47 (5), 115-138. Retrieved from http://journals2.scholarsportal.info. ezproxy.lib.ryerson.ca/details/00207985/v47i0005/115_mrilamr.xml (Accessed February 9, 2014).
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (2012). Development is a human right for all . Retrieved from http://www.ohchr.org /EN/Issues/Developmen t/Pages /Introduction.aspx (Accessed February 9, 2014).
Ruhs, M. (2010). Migrant rights, immigration policy and human development. Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, 11(2), 259-279. Retrieved from http://journals2. scholarsportal.info.ezproxy.lib.ryerson.ca/ details/00207985 /v47i0005/115_mrilana.xml (Accessed February 5, 2014).
United Nations Development Programme (2007) Zambia Human Development Report 2007: Enhancing household capacity to respond to HIV and AIDS. http://hdr.undp.org/en/reports /nationalreports /africa/zambia/ZHDR07.pdf. (Accessed February 9, 2014).
United Nations Development Programme (2013). Human Development Report 2013: The Rise of the South: Human Progress in a Diverse World. Population and Development Review, 39(3), 548-549. Retrieved from http://journals1.scholarsportal.info.ezproxy .lib.ryerson.ca/details /00987921/v39i0003/548 _undphdhpiadw.xml (Accessed February 5, 2014).
United Nations Development Programme. (2014). About human development. Retrieved from http://hdr.undp.org/en/humandev (Accessed February 5, 2014).