Committee:  United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Women participate in a literacy project that is assisted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). 01 January 1989  Demra, Bangladesh

After World War II, many nations started to rebuild their countries, repairing the damage done by the war.  As the Cold War began, countries like the United States feared that Communism would spread to undeveloped countries or to colonies that had just become independent due to the lack of  a stable, experienced government.  Primarily, more powerful countries focused on scientific advancement and industrial progress to help undeveloped countries.  The UN did not want developing countries to become too dependent, so they created the International Labor Organization and then UNICEF which shifted the focus of development towards bettering human lives.  The UNDP was created later, and this committee focused on the idea of human development stressing human needs and capabilities.

The United Nations Development Programme, or UNDP, was established in 1965 and is a part of the UN’s Global Development Network.  To develop something means to grow or progress, and in this case, it is to make a better quality of life for those living in poor conditions around the world.  The UNDP works in 166 countries to help these developing countries attract and use aid efficiently (“A World of Development Experience”).  The development programme also encourages the protection of human rights and the empowerment of women.  Thirty-six countries from around the world serve as representatives on the committee on a rotating basis.  These members consist of countries like Mexico, Cambodia, Pakistan, Haiti, India, the United States, and Belgium.  The committee also receives many donations from these countries and others that are not members.  For instance, in 2008, the UNDP budget was $5 billion.  This budget is funded by places like Canada, the European Union, France, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Netherlands, Nordic Countries, Spain, and the United States.  This funding is the most beneficial to developing countries with weak economies.

Since the UNDP hopes to provide resources and knowledge to build a better life for citizens, there are a wide variety of issues that they are dealing with at the moment.  One issue is democratic governance.  With this iniative, the committee tries to give advice and support for advocating democratic reform.  This way, developing countries can use successful democratic systems that have worked in the past as models.  Another issue they are working on is poverty reduction.  UNDP helps developing countries create strategies to fight poverty and also gives them more opportunities and resources for economic expansion.  They also work to reform trade and encourage foreign investment.  For example, in Brazil, the UNDP established the International Policy Centre for Inclusive Growth in order to help developing countries to design and implement development projects.  This organization has worked with officials from more than 50 countries.  Also, the UNDP is focusing on crisis prevention and recovery, the environment and energy, and HIV/AIDs. 

Every year, the UNDP puts out the Human Development Report.  This report focuses global debate on the key issues of the moment.  They analyze and make proposals for new ideas in order to make their programs around the world more successful.  Besides this international report, there are also reports from national, regional, and local officials.

                                                                         Works Cited

“A World of Development Experience.”  http://www.undp.org/about/

Donors.”  http://www.undp.org/partners/index.shtml

“UNDP Offices.”  http://www.undp.org/countries/