planet earth. The current trend of energy/resources usage is not only unsustainable but also environmentally hazardous. Therefore, global communities now need a paradigm shift in their working style - from resource exploitation to its sustainable utilization and also promotion of alternative energy sources. Thus, smart, responsible and sustainable utilization of resources will help to make the future of planet earth more viable and livable for coming generations.
The current challenge is the unplanned exploitation of natural resources. Even bigger challenge is that the stakeholders who have probably biggest role in bringing the earth
to its present vulnerable state fail to recognize the impending danger. We as global citizens have also failed to commit our resources and work to reverse the global impacts that may soon go beyond control. As long as we don’t break away our old behavioral patterns, consumerist lifestyles and keep the planet earth above our national interest, it will be a major challenge to build a viable planet earth.
We live in a global village today and activity in one part of the world has its severe effect globally. So far we have only taken from the Earth/Nature but have not given anything back. Therefore, it is very essential that we become accountable not only to each other as fellow inhabitants of Earth but to the Earth/Nature as well. Wherever we live, all of us have the responsibility to ensure that we do not exploit and destroy the Nature but use it responsibly and give back as much as we can.
We need a paradigm shift in the current development concepts and activities. We should opt for green initiatives. We should create, promote and support development initiatives that require sustainable use of resources. A global effort is required to coordinate global plan of action in terms of funds, technology transfer and community support.
On behalf of Mountain countries of HKH region and the group of Least Developed Countries as chair, Nepal is leading Rio+20 Summit this year. Nepal, with less industrial pollution and approximately 40 % area under forest, is in fact a green country in terms of carbon emission.
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Holding the 8th global conference on Human development here will be another milestone for Nepal.
Building Strategies for Comprehensive Development
This theme is led by Dr. Bhavani Dhungana, an economist.
“Development implies a multidimensional approach encompassing economic growth, structural changes in society, technological innovations, knowledge generation, productivity improvements and overall increases in human welfare and national standards. A comprehensive development strategy requires holistic intervention for human empowerment through education and skills development, health improvements, socio-economic and political inclusions, community participation, and full exercise of all human rights.
Major global challenges that have limited human development are poverty, ignorance and illiteracy; exclusions from rights and privileges; lack of tangible and intangible assets; and overall deprivations.
Human security and the empowerment of all for decent living, freedom from fear and insecurity, and the opportunity to live in peace and in a secure environment are all issues that need to be addressed for a better life.
The global support for education, health, decent work and employment; social protection against hunger and ill health so that overall human security is ensured; and Nepal’s achievements on HDI are all remarkable.
Nepal possesses enormous human resources. Its endowments in water resources are also high. It can develop these to uplift the life of Nepali people.
The 8th Global Conference on Human Development can help in the evolution of new and innovative ways for meeting the requirements of full human security and development, particularly in the areas of empowerment, inclusive development and alleviation of all kinds of deprivations and destitutions.
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The 8th Global Conference on Human Development, 2012, aims to bring together researchers, development workers, academicians and policy makers for a dialogue on making the world a better place and accelerating human capacity building for sustainable development. 