Unit 5 - Human Development and Diversity

1. Development opportunities

Ways of supporting the processes of human development

The multidimensional process of human development and ways to measure it:

• UN Sustainable Development Goals criteria

• validity and reliability of development indicators and indices, including the human development index (HDI) and gender inequality index (GII)

• empowering women and indigenous or minority groups

• Detailed illustrative examples of affirmative action to close the development gap

The importance of social entrepreneurship approaches for human development:

• the work of microfinance organizations and their networks

• alternative trading networks such as “Fairtrade”

• TNC corporate social responsibility frameworks and global agreements

Synthesis, evaluation and skills opportunities

How actions to support human development involve spatial interactions from local to global scales

2. Changing identities and cultures

How global interactions bring cultural influences and changes to places

The global spectrum of cultural traits, ethnicities and identities, and ways in which the spectrum of diversity is widening or narrowing at different scales

The effects of global interactions on cultural diversity in different places:

• the diffusion of cultural traits, and cultural imperialism

• glocalization of branded commodities, and cultural hybridity

• cultural landscape changes in the built environment

How diasporas influence cultural diversity and identity at both global and local scales

• Case study of a global diaspora population and its cultures(s)

Synthesis, evaluation and skills opportunities

Differing evidence and perspectives on how diversity is changing at local, national and global scales

3. Local responses to global interactions

The varying power of local places and actors to resist or accept change

Local and civil society resistance to global interactions:

• rejection of globalized production, including campaigns against TNCs and in favour of local sourcing of food and goods by citizens

• rise of anti-immigration movements

Geopolitical constraints on global interactions:

• government and militia controls on personal freedoms to participate in global interactions

• national trade restrictions, including protectionism and resource nationalism

The role of civil society in promoting international-mindedness and participating in global interactions, including social media use and campaigning for internet freedom

• Two detailed examples of places where restricted freedoms have been challenged

Synthesis, evaluation and skills opportunities

How acceptance of, or resistance to, global interactions takes different forms and occurs at different scales