10.1.2

Factors Improving Development

Test yourself

Priorities for Development

Improvements in health, education, life expectancy and human rights are seen by some as more significant goals for development, though economic growth is seen as the best means of delivering them.

Illustrative background for Priorities for developmentIllustrative background for Priorities for development ?? "content

Priorities for development

  • A lot of people believe that development should focus on health, life expectancy and human rights (see HDI map).
    • The late Hans Rosling was a key advocate of this.
  • Advancements in health, life expectancy and human rights are only likely to be delivered by economic growth.
  • Improvements in environmental quality (such as reducing pollution levels) are also seen as being vital to the well-being of both the world and its inhabitants.
  • But, often economic growth goes against the environment.
Illustrative background for EducationIllustrative background for Education ?? "content

Education

  • Education is crucial for development. A literate, numerate, enterprising and skilled workforce is effective human capital.
  • Education promises a better job and higher wages, and therefore material benefits that raise quality of life.
  • Education is essential for knowing and standing up for human rights.
  • It allows a person to be informed about personal health, hygiene and diet, so increasing LE.
  • It prevents the basic problem of illiteracy.

Attitiudes to Education and UNESCO

Most countries recognise the human right of access to education. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) works to ensure this.

Illustrative background for Education differencesIllustrative background for Education differences ?? "content

Education differences

  • There are some countries (e.g. Pakistan) where there is clear gender discrimination, with females being increasingly barred or deterred from access to other levels of education.
  • There are significant gender differences in literacy in some parts of the world, especially much of sub-Saharan Africa, southern Asia and the middle east.
  • Access to education is stopped by other obstacles - e.g. ethnicity, physical and mental disability, social class and wealth.
Illustrative background for UNESCOIllustrative background for UNESCO ?? "content

UNESCO

  • UNESCO stands for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
  • It seeks ‘to ensure that every child has access to quality education as a fundamental human right and as a prerequisite for human development’.
  • It aims for peace and security by promoting international collaboration through education, science and culture.
  • It also promotes cultural diversity, aiming to secure the world’s cultural and natural heritage.

Jump to other topics

1Tectonic Processes & Hazards

2Option 2A: Glaciated Landscapes & Change

3Option 2B: Coastal Landscapes & Change

4Globalisation

5Option 4A: Regenerating Places

6Option 4B: Diverse Places

7The Water Cycle & Water Insecurity (A2 only)

8The Carbon Cycle & Energy Security (A2 only)

9Superpowers (A2 only)

10Option 8A: Health & Human Rights (A2 only)

11Option 8B: Migration & Identity (A2 only)

Go student ad image

Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring

  • Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home

  • Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs

  • 30+ school subjects covered

Book a free trial lesson