Human development is about putting people at the centre of development. It is about people realizing their potential, increasing their choices and enjoying the freedom to lead lives they value. Since 1990, annual Human Development Reports have explored challenges including poverty, gender, democracy, human rights, cultural liberty, globalization, water scarcity and climate change.

A major global documentary project for Burma's political prisoners in association with Assistance Association for Political Prisoner's Burma (www.aappb.org)

Though imprisoned they are everywhere among us. Two thousand, one hundred and fifty nine political prisoners are currently incarcerated in the most horrendous of prison conditions in Burma’s notorious jails. Since the 1988 popular democracy movement inside Burma was crushed in a ruthless crackdown by the military regime, thousands of people have been arrested, tortured and given long prison sentences for their beliefs and political activities. Moreover, even after political prisoners are released, they continue to face persecution. The military uses all available means to intimidate, harass and isolate former political prisoners in order to prevent them from conducting political activities.

Show support for the people who fight for democracy at Iran, and change your Twitter avatar to have green overlay or green riboon (green is the official color of the movement).

All you need to do is click here to add green overlay or to click here to add a green ribbon and your avatar will be updated and a support Tweet will posted on your behalf ("Show support for #iranelection add green overlay to your Twitter avatar with 1-click - http://helpiranelection.com/").

This is not about news, this is about information. This is not about just being “notified” of happenings, but about being informed to debate, create oneself a state of opinion and act. This is not about journalism, this is about government and democracy and freedom.

Apathy is Boring uses art and technology to educate youth about democracy.

The 5th Montreal Citizen Summit is a social forum open to all and is based on the concept “The City We Want”. This event will take place from June 5-7, 2009 at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) and will be an opportunity for citizens and civil society practitioners to strengthen their ties in order to collectively organise social action initiatives. The Summit will also be the opportunity for citizens to learn and exchange on urban issues related to this year's themes: 1) Economy 2) Urban planning 3) Social justice, inclusion and citizenship 4) Environment 5) Democracy 6) Culture.

It’s like if I was to concede that a benevolent dictatorship is a far more effective model for a political system than a liberal democracy. The problems you hit in that context is when the dictatorship slides from benevolence (or effectiveness), or you need a new dictator in a hurry.

Philip Stephens notes that - despite Japan's still considerable role in the global economy - the country's politicians are the weaklings of global geopolitics. "Where is Japan?", he asks. "The question is one of psychology rather than geography. Japan is still the world's second most powerful economy. Politically, it is all but invisible" (see "Japan goes missing: invisible host at the summit", Financial Times, 4 July 2008).

This is not the wisdom of the crowd. This is the wisdom of the chaperones.