While the world and especially developing countries continue to grapple on the one hand, with the range of development challenges of a socio-economic and cultural nature, which are directly linked to livelihood concerns about human well-being and declining living standards, there is on the other hand, a human right to development which, although is said to have been recognised universally, remains largely unimplemented. In the face of succeeding global development initiatives seeking to remedy the somewhat defiant development challenges, it has become relevant to ask what the universal recognition of the right to development implies if it cannot practically translate into improved well-being for the impoverished peoples around the world.

The contributions in this volume depart from the starting point that the setbacks to development, which impact adversely and continue to impoverish the poor is deeply rooted in the failure to implement the right to development, which by nature guarantees equality of opportunities and equitable redistribution of the resources that are supposed to contribute to better living standards. This book looks at the policy and practical measures (or the lack thereof) relating to the implementation of the right to development. It explores questions responded to with practical suggestions relating to the imperative to make the right to development a reality for everyone and for all peoples.