Measuring the Progress of Societies

Is life getting better? Are our societies making progress? Indeed, what does “progress” mean to the world’s citizens? There can be few questions of greater importance in today’s rapidly changing world.  And yet how many of us have the evidence to answer these questions?

The Global Project on "Measuring the Progress of Societies"- hosted by the OECD and run in collaboration with other international and regional partners - it seeks to become the world wide reference point for those who wish to measure, and assess the progress of their societies. Read more about -  What we are doing

Agenda now updated with links to the papers and presentation:  

Read more on: www.oecd.org/progress/korea

Read the speech given by Mike Salvaris, which was presented at the closing session of the 3rd OECD World Forum:  Commitments and Conclusion Session

During the closing session of the 3rd OECD World Forum, held in October 2009 in Korea, OECD RoadMap  was announced.  It highlights OECD's policy, strategy and commitments to measure and foster well-being and progress. Presentation by Pier-Carlo Padoan, Deputy Secretary-General of the OECD "Measuring and fostering well-being and progress: the OECD roadmap"

Wikiprogress was launched at the 3rd OECD World Foum 2009 (Korea). The site is now live and seeking contributions from the progress community.  Find it now!

The Measuring the Progress of Societies: An Introduction and Practical Guide (DRAFT: NOT FOR CITATION) - Handbook is the new working document on measures of progress.

Gurría calls for ‘new generation’ of statistics to reinforce public confidence in government  OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría has warned that unless a new generation of statistics is developed to measure social progress and well-being, people may lose confidence in institutions and in the capacity of governments to address their problems.

• BellagioSTAMP - SusTainability Assessment and Measurement Principles. A new set of guiding principles used to measure and assess progress towards sustainability. They were written by a group of international experts meeting in Bellagio, Italy, organized by IISD and the OECD's Measuring the Progress of Societies initiative.

• The Foro Consultivo Cientifico y Tecnológico has published "Measuring the progress of societies. Reflections from Mexico", a book concerning the theme of progress, which set of new indicators ought to be used in order to measure the progress of societies and also aims to promote a general and desirable reflection in Mexico. 

• The Community Indicators Declaration from the Community Indicators Summit in Brisbane, Australia July 2009, has now been finalised. The Declaration, endorsed collectively by delegates at the Summit, is available on www.nss.gov.au

• e-Learning Course on " Statistics, Knowledge and Policy: Understanding Societal Change" from March 1st to April 2nd, 2010. Read more

Contact us:  progress@oecd.org         This site: www.oecd.org/progress