Reaching a decent standard of living for all people by improving economic and social conditions

The aim of development is to help people become more productive and to improve the quality of life for individuals, families, communities and countries as a whole. As people become more productive, a country is in a better position to trade with other countries, and more trade means more goods and services to continue improving living conditions.

Development is a complex process, though. A country must concurrently pay attention to social, economic, political, cultural and environmental issues to ensure that development is sustainable and beneficial to all.

Reaching an acceptable standard of living for all people includes giving everyone access to the basics:

• Food
• Housing
• Jobs
• Health services
• Education
• Safety and security

Sustainable development means meeting today's needs and planning the country's growth without creating problems for future generations.

Because the world is out of balance.

There are 6.7 billion people alive today: 1.2 billion live in developed countries. The other 5.5 billion live in developing countries where many barely survive on less than $2 a day, and often just $1 a day.

Those who live in developed countries, however, control 80% of global resources. This leaves the other 5.5 billion people to get by on 20% of the world's resources.

Populations are growing much faster in poor countries than in rich ones. Some 2 more billion people will be born, mainly in developing countries, over the next 25 years.

Poor countries need help to develop so that nobody goes hungry anymore, and so that everyone can live in stability and peace, has a decent standard of living, and can choose how to live his or her life.

All countries are linked by trade, finance, the environment, drugs, crime, migration, communicable diseases, and other transnational issues.

Problems in one country inevitably affect other countries. For example, internal conflict in one country puts in motion a slew of problems that transcend borders: diseases and epidemics can spread, refugees start moving, trade is disrupted.

Development is a cooperative effort among many different groups.

The governments of poor countries are doing the best they can to improve domestic conditions.

Some countries need assistance to develop an economic foundation and reach the point where they can trade equally with all other nations. Many countries don't have enough resources, knowledge, expertise or funds to develop independently.

Multilateral assistance from institutions like the World Bank Group, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and regional development banks provides money and funds projects to help nations develop.

Governments of most developed countries give money and assistance directly to developing countries.

Charitable groups and foundations around the world carry out projects within countries to help with development.

The emergence of the international development field: how it came about

International development—harnessing the resources and knowledge of rich, more developed countries to help the poorer ones catch up—is a concept that grew out of World War II. In its aftermath, world leaders realized that countries were like dominos—issues in one country will inevitably affect others nearby.

For example, fighting HIV/AIDS is one of the most important global issues today. But less than 30 years ago, nobody knew of this disease or could have predicted how serious such a pandemic would become.

Learn about the world and current events. And volunteer.

If you live in a developed country:

• Find your national volunteer service.
• Search through the UN Volunteer or Idealist websites to find volunteer opportunities worldwide that encourage sustainable development.
• Check out additional sites on our Take Action resources page.
• Learn how much money your government gives through bilateral and multilateral assistance, and lobby your government to give more. View official development assistance (ODA) levels by country.

If you live in a developing country:

• Stay in school—study and learn.
• Volunteer to help those in need.
• Encourage other kids and young people to stay in school and to volunteer.
• Learn how much money your government receives in development assistance and take action to ensure government funds are properly spent.