FIGURE 1.3 Work and human development are synergistic Work
Better health
Income and livelihood
Better knowledge and skills Awareness
Security Women’s empowerment
Human capital
Participation and voice
Opportunities
Dignity and recognition
Choice
Creativity and innovation
H u m a n d elo p m e nt ev Source: Human Development Report Office.
their income prudently on food and nutrition for their family, on education and health for their children, or for savings. • Women’s empowerment. Women who earn income from work often achieve greater economic autonomy and decisionmaking power within families, workplaces and communities. They also gain confidence, security and flexibility. • Participation and voice. By interacting with others through work, people learn to participate in collective decisionmaking and gain a voice. Workers also encounter new ideas and information and interact with people of different backgrounds and can engage more extensively in civic issues. • Dignity and recognition. Good work is recognized by co-workers, peers and others and provides a sense of accomplishment, self-respect and social identity. People have historically defined and named themselves by their occupation: Miller in English or Hurudza (master farmer) in Shona. • Creativity and innovation. Work unleashes human creativity and has generated countless innovations that have revolutionized many aspects of human life—as in health,
education, communications and environmental sustainability. Workers can also benefit from higher human development, again operating through multiple channels: • Health. Healthier workers have longer and more productive working lives and can explore more options at home and abroad. • Knowledge and skills. Better educated and trained workers can do more diverse work —and to a higher standard—and be more creative and innovative. • Awareness. Workers who can participate more fully in their communities will be able to negotiate at work for better conditions and higher labour standards, which in turn will make industries more efficient and competitive. In the work–human development nexus volunteerism, as well as creativity and innovation, warrants particular attention. Volunteerism, by its nature, reflects agency and the capability to choose. Volunteers benefit from their work, either because they value altruism or through the personal enrichment they gain from community involvement. Volunteer work also tends to have substantial
Volunteerism, by its nature, reflects agency
Chapter 1 Work and human development—analytical links | 33