Introduction

Human development refers to an approach that focuses on people rather than economic growth. It emphasizes the enhancement of the human potential – both individual and collective – so as to enable people and communities to realize their visions of development, to overcome marginalization and to participate fully in society. In the specific context of globalization, it emphasizes strategies that reduce vulnerabilities and allow communities to take advantage of new developments in techonology, economics and politics. Human Development requires us to work across the local, regional, national and international levels, and in partnership with a broad range of social actors.

International Secretariat for Human Development (ISHD)

The International Secretariat for Human Development (ISHD) is an international initiative located at York University and is involved in research, training and related activities on the themes central to human development, defined broadly. It is currently collaborating with ART, an inter-agency UN which seeks to support territorial and thematic networks for human development, and emphasizes the participation of local communities in development.

ISHD's activities include:

• undertaking research on issues central to the policies and practice of human development such as decentralisation, democratic governance and local economic development
• action research to support innovative development practices
• curriculum development related to human development
• collaboration with universities from developing countries
• support to human development programme planning and evaluation
• publications
• development and management of HDRNet, an information gateway on human development and international co-operation

For more information, see: http://www.yorku.ca/ishd/home.htm

Human Development Resource Net (HDRNet)

Human Development Resource Net (HDRNet) is a joint endeavour of ART - a collaborative initiative of the UNDP, UNESCO, UNIFEM, WHO and UNOPS - and the International Secretariat for Human Development (ISHD) at York University, Canada. The Human Development Resource Network (HDRNet) is a specialised information gateway and electronic library on human development and international co-operation.

HDRNet is part of an international collaborative effort that brings together United Nations organisations, practitioners and academics, enabling a broad community of participants from many different parts of the world to contribute material they consider relevant to the research and practice of human development. It also archives a wealth of material that is not available through the internet or in other libraries, and makes it available in four languages. HDRNet offers unrestricted access to the documents it archives. A primary objective of HDRNet is to serve as a forum for disseminating Southern research and Southern perspectives on human development.

HDRNet is particularly intended for those engaged in a critical praxis of human development through international co-operation, either as practitioners or as academics. Our hope is that the specialised gateway will stimulate the production of new forms of knowledge for human development where disciplinary barriers are dissolved, the divide between scholar and practitioner is overcome, and academic benefits of research are accompanied by concrete social benefits.

For more information, see: http://www.yorku.ca/hdrnet/index.asp