Launch of UNDP Human Development Report – 2002

On 24 July 2002, the Chairperson Justice J.S.Verma launched the UNDP Human Development Report – 2002 in India. Speaking on the occasion, he said that the strengthening of democratic institutions would help to ensure human rights for all; this, in turn, would further human development.

He added that accountability was the crux of the matter and all institutions should accept that fact. It was necessary to create mechanisms for the enforcement of accountability. The Chairperson observed that democracy should be inclusive in character, that every section of society should have fair representation and be involved in the decision-making and policy-making process.

Referring to the ranking of nations, Justice Verma said that a ‘level playing field’ was a must. To compare two nations it was necessary to consider all relevant parameters, in order make the rankings have real meaning.