Nineteenth International Conference on Diversity in Organizations, Communities & Nations

Abstract

Over the past quarter century, there has been impressive progress on many fronts of human development though the gains have not been universal and not all lives have been lifted. Millions of people seem to be unable to reach their full potential in life and work mainly because they suffer deprivations in multiple dimensions of human development and there are significant imbalances across countries, ethnic, and, racial groups. In such a context, a great number of significant official texts have been drafted by European and national organizations - texts, which provide policy guidance to member states in order to achieve growth and prosperity. One of them is the 2016 Human Development Report. This study through qualitative analysis of the above mentioned areas tries to capture and investigate the way these policies can contribute to the development of all people and especially those left out. According to the findings, universalism is the principle of the human development approach, but it is not enough. It is necessary to translate it into practice by identifying and breaking down barriers that exclude certain groups. Some universal policies need to be reoriented since there are many disparities. Besides, even though human development is achieved, it does not mean that it is sustained. Progress may be slowed or even reversed. In such a context, people must get empowered even if policies and the relevant actors fail to deliver. They will get stronger when they demand their rights, raise their voices, and seek to redress the situation.