Plewes, Betty, Gauri Sreenivasan and Tim Draimin. 1996. "Sustainable human development as a global framework." International Journal LI(Spring): 211-234.

Thesis:

"Development requires well-developed community-based projects on the ground, national and international environments that can support those efforts, and international economic and political relations that favour increased global equity" (p.212)

Summary:

The authors provide a brief history of development strategies in the post-War period, focusing on the approaches that characterized the 1970's, 80's and early 90's, and the global and market events that shaped them (pp.213-217). In the 1990's, sustainable development has emerged as a concept

which blends concern for economic growth and social justice with an awareness of ecological limits and the need to preserve the environment for future generations, in a framework that asserts the primacy of democracy, participation, and civil society (p.216).

Sustainable human development (SHD) rejects the notion that economic growth is the primary goal. SHD is a holistic approach which focuses changes in economic, social and gender relationships, political culture, institutional frameworks, and public attitudes. Priorities include poverty reduction, productive employment, social integration and environmental regeneration (p.216).

Plewes et al discuss the ways in which the sustainable human development paradigm has played out in Canadian society at the governmental, NGO, and citizen levels. Poverty reduction is a primary concern, which can be solved only through addressing market structures, and promoting citizen participation that reflects empowerment of the poor and cultural diversity. Government institutions can support this through "the development of transparent, accessible, and accountable structures of governance, the establishment of the rule of law, and an effective system of taxation" (p.219). At the multilateral level, debt reduction and cancellation should be a focus for the least developed countries and a cooperative trade regime based upon fair and environmentally/ethically sound regulatory framework should be established. '

In light of these challenges, 'official development assistance' funds provide one tool among the many needed (pp.220-21). When they are used, they should enhance human capabilities; facilitate democratization and public participation, with a focus upon empowering women and the most marginalized; remove restrictions and enhance opportunities for the economic efforts of the poor; support the development of local labour-intensive integrated economies and food security; create capacity and tools, such as accessible credit for sustainable livelihoods; and promote indigenous and national cultural development (pp.220-221). All of these things should be accomplished within a framework of cooperation and reciprocal responsibility, rather than the traditional paternalistic use of 'leverage or assistance'.

The role of the market in development has been to generate growth, but its benefits are rarely distributed equitably. What is needed are markets which "generate growth to serve people's needs: 'market forces and interests must be balanced by community forces and interests'" (p.223). This will take governmental regulations on market activity in the public interest, equitable participation in civil society, sustainable activities in the voluntary sector, and responsible behavior among transnational corporations. Each of these sectors need to have complementary, rather than competing roles as development actors, and to share learning.

Plewes et al evaluate 'development pacts' between developed and developing nations as viable means toward sustainable human development. Recognizing the limitations of a bilateral agreement between two nations given global influences, development pacts nevertheless provide a useful framework for cooperation based upon equity, reciprocity, and partnership. For Northern governments, the pacts imply a move toward a more comprehensive international policy framework, where environment, finance, trade and security are integrated as well as 'official development assistance'. For Southern governments, the pacts provide long-term stability in the development process, and a move from policy conditionality with Northern donors to policy reciprocity, and an acknowledgment that development planning should be centered in the South (p.227).

Finally, the authors recommend two areas of reform that are needed to "ensure that international actors are accountable to the long-term needs to equitable development" (p.229). First, state-controlled multilateral institutions need to have more equitable and representative governance structures, make their decision-making processes more transparent, and make room for greater participation by non-governmental actors. Specifically, there should be greater linkages between the United Nations and the Bretton Woods financial institutions. Secondly, there should an international regulatory regime to govern the actions of transnational corporations.

Keywords: sustainable human development, development pacts, citizen participation, cooperation