The UN Human Development Reports (HDRs) are known to draw on new research and ideas that have – or could and should have – significance on a global stage. So we are quite excited that the UN HDR of 2023-24, entitled Breaking the gridlock: Reimagining cooperation in a polarised world, brings relational approaches to wellbeing into the mix!
Relational approaches in general, and specifically relational wellbeing (RWB) feature in Chapter 2 which focuses on global interdependence and how it is being shaped at present and into the future. The authors highlight the inherent relationality of humans as a basis for building solidarity across communities in times of uncertainty.
Box S2.2.1 on page 68 refers to our own work on RWB and the ways in which the relational approach assumes importance for understanding wellbeing itself. It picks up on two aspects of relational wellbeing in particular: relational subjects or the idea that people are embedded in their contexts, and on the underlying drivers of wellbeing.
You can see Box S2.2.1 here, but of course there is also so much more in the report you might want to go and read!
