OECD - The Global Project on Measuring the Progress of Societies

We are in midst of a severe global recession where the traditional consumerist-driven growth models of capitalism are coming under intense scrutiny. Governments, the media and the public at large are questioning the economic situation and searching for alternative models of understanding and measuring progress in societies, beyond economic measurements such as GDP. There is now a window of opportunity to create arguments for alternative models of social progress to an unusually receptive global audience.

The Global Project on Measuring the Progress of Societies has been set up by the OECD with partners to capture the ongoing debates, research and thinking around these issues in order to support a change in the public debate about progress and introduce new measures to serve as a touchstone for how citizens, media and governments think about social progress.

As part of this wider programme of work, Involve and the Young Foundation have been commissioned to produce a narrative paper that will be presented at the Charting Progress, Building Visions, Improving Life conference in Busan in October 2009.

For more information please contact Edward Andersson: edward@involve.org.uk