This emphasis on institutions is particularly important, given the increasing practical emphasis being attached to institutions in development finance and technical assistance programmes. Given the magnitude of the problems and the gaps in understanding, the ESD programme focuses on this area. But there are also a number of other organizations that are also working on similar human development issues. For most countries in the world, and particularly poorer countries, human development is an even greater challenge today than when the UN and UNU Charters were drafted. A key contributor to the worsening situation has been economic decline.
Economic growth is the sine qua non for sustainable human development.
The Project aims to document processes and initiatives in environmental management at the local level in Japan. Each of these documented cases will be termed a 'City inspiration' These are very basic in their content in order to keep their understanding and adaptability easy. A city or urban area can be a source for several City Inspirations - initiated and partnered with local stakeholders, and implemented at different levels of governance. Globalization and Human Development UNU work looks for strategies to strengthen developing countries' participation in the global economy - and in ways that bring widespread and sustainable benefits to their peoples. Continuing our work on economic policy and institutional foundations in Asia and Africa, we are now evaluating the critical role of entrepreneurship for expanding and upgrading linkages with the global economy.