Development decade

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The term development decade is a term used in international development policy . It describes a period of ten years (a decade) in which the goals previously formulated within the framework of the United Nations must be achieved. In the past four decades, the formulated goals have been very different and build on the knowledge that has been gained over the past decades.

It is often cited as a criticism that the goals pursued by the UN are often only inadequately achieved. Nevertheless, the decisions of the conferences have a decisive influence on international development policy and are often viewed as generally applicable guidelines.

1961–1970 - First decade of development

For the first decade of development, the goal was set to “raise” the economically weak developing countries to a comparable level as quickly as possible with the help of the industrialized countries . Specifically, this means that an annual GDP growth of 5% should be achieved and an annual growth in per capita income of 3%.

The underdevelopment of industry was seen as the cause of poverty in developing countries, so that the US $ 60 billion that was approved for this decade was almost completely invested in industrialization based on the Western model. Mainly major projects were funded - it was hoped that the funds would “ trickle down ” through the economic system “from above” and thus benefit the entire population.

However, this effect did not materialize, so that promoting the elites widened the disparities and in some cases increased poverty.

1971–1980 - Second decade of development

Due to the failure of the old strategy, it was assumed that the satisfaction of basic needs was a condition for economic development. The goal was to achieve an annual GDP growth of 6% and a growth in per capita income of 3.5% in the developing countries.

The main fields of activity during this development decade were the relief of acute distress and the promotion of education, job creation and health care (basic needs). Furthermore, more initiative and cooperation was required from the federal states. For the first time, " help for self-help " emerged as a means of development aid .

1981–1990 - Third decade of development

The target for the third decade of development was an annual GNP growth of 7%. The main aim was to reduce child mortality and combat malnutrition and hunger .

Due to the global economic and oil crises , however, subsidies were cut massively and many developing countries fell into the debt trap . Although the IMF tried to counteract this development, this development decade is often referred to by critics as a “lost decade”, since the economic situation in the developing countries deteriorated so much that the population of the states was only affected by overexploitation and the creation of monocultures (cash Crops) sources of income were given. The poverty spread.

1991–2000 - Fourth decade of development

After the setbacks of the past decade, no value was set for annual GNP growth. The main topic of this decade was sustainability - a topic that had become particularly important in developing countries due to overexploitation.

There were conferences on the environment and development in Rio, Vienna, Cairo and Copenhagen at which ecological priorities were set. Resources had to be saved by all countries. Development aid should mainly take the form of “helping people to help themselves”, and developing and industrialized countries should also work more closely together on development policy.

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