What is Global Development?

Global development is a term that is increasingly referred to, yet is often conflated with international development and is used with different implicit meanings.

This paper outlines reasons for moving beyond international development, before distinguishing between global development as ‘vertical’ scale and as ‘horizontal’ scope. As a strand of development focusing on common issues, the former co-exists in parallel with sovereign (national development) and foreign (international development) issues. The latter involves an overarching paradigm, taking in interconnected as well as shared issues anywhere. It is a successor to international development and goes beyond a focus only on the Global South to encompass development issues anywhere. Global development as scope thus explicitly goes beyond the North-South binary and is argued to represent a greater fit with contemporary development opportunities and challenges.

Horner, Rory (2017). GDI Working Paper 2017-020. The University of Manchester.
> research.manchester.ac.uk/en/publications/what-is-global-development

Holistic development

Greater North-South cooperation would promote global growth and progress for the good of all humanity

Global development has a long road of reform to live up to its name. One opportunity of its reform should be sharing the development aspiration of the growing South-South Cooperation in a global context. South-South Cooperation does not aspire to be an instrument of certain ideologies or the interests of certain groups. With its clear principles of solidarity, mutual benefit, respect for sovereignty and noninterference, which are valued assets of global development, it is up to all the global development stakeholders to correct and shape whatever is against these principles in the overall activities of South-South Cooperation.

Therefore, the development endeavors of the Global South should not be perceived as a competing force by the Global North, but a complementing partner for the common interest of global development. Then efforts under the name of global development will result in true global effects and benefits.
> chinadaily.com.cn/south-south-cooperation


Key aspects of global development

Global development refers to the continuous and sustainable improvement of living conditions, economic opportunities, social well-being, and environmental sustainability on a worldwide scale. It encompasses efforts and initiatives aimed at addressing inequalities, reducing poverty, promoting human rights, and fostering economic growth while considering the environmental impact of such progress. The concept of global development recognizes the interconnectedness of nations and the shared responsibility to create a more equitable and sustainable world.

Key aspects of global development include:

Economic Development – This involves improving the economic well-being of societies through measures such as increasing income levels, creating employment opportunities, fostering entrepreneurship, and promoting economic stability.

Social Development – Social development focuses on enhancing the quality of life for individuals and communities. This includes improving access to education, healthcare, housing, and other essential services, as well as promoting social inclusion, equality, and human rights.

Environmental Sustainability – Global development aims to achieve a balance between economic progress and environmental preservation. This involves adopting sustainable practices, mitigating climate change, conserving biodiversity, and ensuring responsible resource management.

Human Development – Human development emphasizes the overall well-being and empowerment of individuals. This includes factors such as education, healthcare, gender equality, and the protection of fundamental human rights.

Global Cooperation – Addressing global challenges requires international collaboration and cooperation among nations, organizations, and individuals. This involves working together to find solutions to issues such as poverty, disease, inequality, and environmental degradation.

Poverty Alleviation – A central goal of global development is the reduction and eventual eradication of poverty. This includes efforts to improve access to education, healthcare, clean water, and other basic necessities for those living in poverty.

Infrastructure Development – Building and maintaining robust infrastructure, including transportation, communication, and energy systems, is essential for sustainable economic growth and improved living conditions.

Technology and Innovation – Harnessing the power of technology and fostering innovation can drive progress in various sectors, improving efficiency, creating new opportunities, and addressing challenges more effectively.

Crisis Response and Resilience – Global development also involves addressing crises such as conflicts, natural disasters, and public health emergencies. Building resilience and effective response mechanisms are crucial components of development efforts.

Cultural Preservation – Recognizing and respecting cultural diversity is an integral part of global development. Efforts are made to preserve cultural heritage and promote cultural exchange while fostering understanding and tolerance among different communities.

Global development is an ongoing and complex process that requires coordinated efforts at local, national, and international levels. The United Nations and other international organizations play a significant role in setting global development goals and coordinating actions to achieve them. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a key framework guiding global development efforts, with targets covering various aspects of economic, social, and environmental well-being.


World Development Information Day
24 October

In 1972, the General Assembly established World Development Information Day to draw the attention of the world to development problems and the need to strengthen international cooperation to solve them (resolution 3038(XXVII)). The Assembly decided that the date for the Day should coincide with United Nations Day, 24 October, which was also the date of the adoption, in 1970, of the International Development Strategy for the Second United Nations Development Decade.
> un.org/en/observances/development-information-day