2014 Human Development Report on reducing vulnerabilities and building resilience.

The 2014 Human Development Report, published by the United Nations Development Programme, is the latest in a long series dedicated to independent, empirically grounded analyses of major development issues, trends, and policies. The theme of the 2014 report is on reducing vulnerabilities and building resilience, and it takes a holistic look at the risks and opportunities.
Chapter one introduces and summarises the aspects of vulnerability and human development covered in the report, each of which are explored in greater depth in the subsequent chapters. These consist of: the state of human development, including continued progress and the emergence of global threats; the interdependent and cumulative vulnerabilities and insecurities faced; building resilience through a number of ambitious policy goal recommendations; and deepening progress through collective action.
The key messages to emerge from the report are highlighted as:
Unless vulnerability is systematically addressed by changing policies and social norms, human development will be neither equitable nor sustainable.
Life cycle vulnerability, structural vulnerability, and insecure lives are fundamental sources of persistent deprivation, and must be addressed.
Policy responses to vulnerability should prevent threats and promote capabilities, and ensure the most vulnerable people are proteced.
The principle of universalism should be put into practice to ensure that everyone can fulfill their right to healthcare, education, and basic services.
Strong universal social protection not only improves individual resilience, but also the resilience of the economy as a whole.
Full employment should be a policy goal for societies at all levels of development, with decent jobs recognised as a fundamental aspect of building human capabilities.
With vulnerability an increasingly global affair, collective action and better international governance is required; global efforts and support can facilitate the enactment of national measures.
Preparedness and recovery efforts can lessen the effects of major crisis, and can actually leave societies more resilient.