'People critical in development'

UNDP Human Development Report Office director Selim Jahan speaks at a discussion on human development report at the National Economic Council in the city on Tuesday. Photo: Prothom Alo
UNDP Human Development Report Office director Selim Jahan speaks at a discussion on human development report at the National Economic Council in the city on Tuesday. Photo: Prothom Alo

People’s participation in decision-making process and reflection of the community needs in development planning are equally important for national progress.

Such views were expressed at a discussion on human development report at the National Economic Council in the city on Tuesday.

Selim Jahan, director of UNDP Human Development Report Office, said increasing growth and per capita income is important but these indicators do not entirely reflect the overall human development of a country.

He insisted that development efforts need to have positive impact on life and livelihoods of commoners. Reduction in disparity should be key a target of development, he added.

The economist underscored the need for publishing national human development report annually for the interest of inclusive and sustainable development.

He mentioned that the government of Bangladesh began publishing the national human development report in 1992 but did not continue.

“Publication of the national human development report can contribute to overcoming data gap and thus influence the policy-makers in understanding the people's status at macro and micro levels,” said Selim Jahan.

He recommended formation of an advisory board engaging public and private sectors and authors' panel comprising experts from different discipline to develop the national human development report.

Representative from different ministries and implementing agencies joined the session chaired by Kazi Anowarul Hoque, ERD's additional secretary.

The discussion on 'National human development report: Bangladesh perspective' was organised by Economic Relations Division with assistance from UNDP-supported Knowledge for Development Management (K4DM) project.