Human Development and Capability Association (HDCA)

06/02/2026

Are we losing sight of what education is really for? 🤔📚

Between assessments, rankings, targets, and KPIs, it's easy to forget a simple but profound question: Should education help people flourish?

In a recent HDCA Education Thematic Group webinar, Prof. Lorella Terzi explored this question through the capability approach, making the case for well-being as a central aim of education. Drawing on her latest paper, she invited us to reflect on how education can support human flourishing, not just achievement.

The discussion was enriched by thoughtful reflections from Prof. Laura D'Olimpio, whose work has helped shape the wider conversation on Flourishing as an Educational Aim.

If you missed the live session, the recording is now available 🎥: https://lnkd.in/ecjMp89Z

💬 We'd love to hear your thoughts: What should be the ultimate aim of education?

05/29/2026

Big questions, brilliant minds, and a fascinating discussion on one of the most debated concepts in human development: ✨ Agency ✨

The HDCA Thematic Group on Empowerment and Collective Capabilities recently hosted the webinar “An Interdisciplinary Perspective on Agency”, the first session in the two-part series Contesting Agency: From Conceptualisation to Operationalisation.

From philosophy and economics to public policy and development studies, the conversation explored how different disciplines understand agency, and why these debates matter.

We’re happy to share that the recording is now available! 🎥
Featuring insights from: Rutger Claassen, David Crocker, John Davis and Jay Drydyk

Moderated by HDCA Empowerment and Collective Capabilities TG Co-coordinators: Solava Ibrahim and Elena Lomeli Aguirre

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for such an engaging exchange of ideas.

🎥 Watch the recording here:

Organised by the HDCA’s Thematic Group on Empowerment and Collective Capabilities, this webinar is Part 1 of the

05/26/2026

You’re still on time to join the Paper Development Workshops for the Journal of Human Development and Capabilities Special Issue: Beyond Development Paradigms for Sustainable Futures: https://hd-ca.org/es/event/paper-development-workshops-for-the-jhdc-special-issue-beyond-development-paradigms-for-sustainable-futures

While Session 1 begins today, registration remains open for the upcoming sessions, including Session 3, which will close the workshop series with discussions on wellbeing, sustainability transitions, post-growth futures, and the capability approach. 🌍🌱

This final session will feature presentations by:
📘 Valentina Erasmo & Paolo Santori
👵 Jhonatan Clausen, PhD & Elena María Caballero Calle
⚙️ Lukas Fuchs
🏘️ Evelien Verbiesen

Together, these contributions explore constructive dialogues between the Economy of Francesco and the capability approach, dignified ageing and wellbeing in later life, socio-technical conversion factors in sustainability transitions, and post-growth housing frameworks informed by collaborative housing models.

The session will conclude with reflections and next steps from co-editors Martinetti Enrica Chiappero, Rafael Ziegler, and Raphael Ng.

📅 Thursday, 28 May 2026
🕒 3:00 PM – 6:45 PM (CEST / Rome)
💻 Online

Register for Session 3 here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/8SQtznlEQ_u3k3CBzeOD7g

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Paper Development Workshop for the JHDC Special Issue: Beyond Development Paradigms for Sustainable Futures. Session III.. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

05/25/2026

Did you already register for Session 1 of the Paper Development Workshops for the Journal of Human Development and Capabilities Special Issue: Beyond Development Paradigms for Sustainable Futures?

Learn more about the workshops here: https://hd-ca.org/es/event/paper-development-workshops-for-the-jhdc-special-issue-beyond-development-paradigms-for-sustainable-futures

Session 2 is bringing together conversations on eco-social contracts, capability-led futures, grassroots organizing, and Indigenous knowledges in times of crisis. 🌍🌱

We are pleased to feature presentations by:
🔸 Raphael Ng, Katja Hujo & Gabriele Köhler
🔸 Diana Velasco, Alejandra (Sandra) Boni & Johan Schot
🔸 Samuel McQuillen
🔸 Bárbara Nascimento Flores

These discussions will explore sustainability transitions, regenerative economies, community organizing, and new pathways for human development through the capability approach.

📅 Wednesday, 27 May 2026
🕒 3:00 PM – 6:15 PM (CEST / Rome)
💻 Online

Register for Session 2 here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/gvf5VlIQREmpTl0cYZjc3A

Paper Development Workshops for the JHDC Special Issue: Beyond Development Paradigms for Sustainable Futures. Description: On 26-28 May 2026, the [...]

05/22/2026

Newt week we begin Session 1 of the Paper Development Workshops for the Journal of Human Development and Capabilities Special Issue: Beyond Development Paradigms for Sustainable Futures 🌱📘🌍

This first session brings together scholars working on industrial policy, economic transformation, and the future of human development through the capability approach.

We are pleased to feature presentations by: YoungJoon Youn, Leonardo Becchetti, Mario Biggeri, Giulio Guarini, Guidalberto Bormolini and Jesus Perez-Mayo

Their papers will open discussions on collective productive capabilities, new dialogues in economics and human development, and the operationalization of the Economy of Francesco in practice.

The workshop offers a valuable opportunity for interdisciplinary exchange, collaborative feedback, and engagement across the Human Development and Capability Association community.

📅 Tuesday, 26 May 2026
🕐 1:00 PM – 4:15 PM (CEST / Rome)
💻 Online

Register for this session:

On 26-28 May 2026, the co-editors of the JHDC Special Issue: Beyond Development Paradigms for Sustainable Futures, will be running an online paper development workshop for contributing authors to facilitate exchange of ideas and develop their drafts. HDCA members are open to attend and share their i...

05/21/2026

We are excited to announce the Paper Development Workshops for the Journal of Human Development and Capabilities Special Issue: Beyond Development Paradigms for Sustainable Futures.

From 26–28 May 2026, scholars, commentators, and members of the Human Development and Capability Association community will come together online for three half-day sessions dedicated to exchanging ideas, strengthening research, and exploring new pathways toward sustainable futures.

The workshops will feature presentations and discussions on topics including:

🌱 Capability-led futures
🌍 Eco-social contracts and sustainability transitions
🏘️ Post-growth housing and community economies
💡 Indigenous knowledges and regenerative economies
👵 Dignified ageing and wellbeing
⚙️ Industrial policy, innovation, and socio-technical transitions

These workshops are designed not only to strengthen papers, but to create space for meaningful dialogue, critical exchange, and collective reflection on the futures we want to build.

📅 26–28 May 2026
💻 Online
🕐 Multiple international time zones accommodated

Explore the full programme and join the conversation on sustainable futures, human development, and capabilities.

Learn more:

Paper Development Workshops for the JHDC Special Issue: Beyond Development Paradigms for Sustainable Futures. Description: On 26-28 May 2026, the [...]

05/20/2026

What is education ultimately for? 📚🌱

In a world increasingly shaped by performance metrics, outcomes, and efficiency, it’s worth asking: are we losing sight of education’s deeper purpose?

Join the HDCA Education Thematic Group for an engaging webinar with Lorella Terzi on Defending well-being as an educational aim: insights from the capability approach.

Drawing on the capability approach, Prof. Terzi will explore why well-being and human flourishing should remain at the heart of education and what this means for educators, researchers, and policymakers today.

🗓 Tuesday, 26 May 2026
⏰ 09:00 UTC
💻 Online Webinar
🔗 Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Fi-2EGqdRBeEuERsk2_DPg

The presentation is based on Prof. Terzi’s recent article published in the Journal of Philosophy of Education, that you can read here:

We look forward to welcoming colleagues, students, and all those interested in education, well-being, and the capability approach.

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Defending well-being as an educational aim: Insights from the capability approach. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

05/18/2026

How do migration stories unfold beyond the idea of “making it”?

In this moving new piece, Anjali Elsa Skariah reflects on the journeys of women from Kerala who migrated abroad, especially nurses building lives across the United States, the Gulf, and beyond.

Through personal stories and research, this new blog entry explores how migration is not just about crossing borders for work, but about navigating identity, family, opportunity, sacrifice, and changing gender roles along the way.

It’s a thoughtful read on migration, aspiration, and the everyday negotiations behind “starting over” in a new country.

Read here 👇🏿
https://hd-ca.org/from-movement-to-meaning

Have an idea for a blog on human development, capabilities approach, gender, wellbeing, or related topics? We’d love to hear from you. Send your blog pitch to Melis Cin at [email protected].

Anjali Elsa Skariah, Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA), Gujarat, India Migration is less a linear pathway to a better [...]

05/15/2026

The HDCA Online Panel “Meet the Authors: Special Issue on Education, Sustainability and Social Justice from the Global South” brought together contributors from across the Global South to discuss capability development, education, sustainability, and expanding opportunities for authorship and social justice.

Featuring insights from guest editors Fenella Somerville and Sarah Ward, alongside authors Pedro H. Maldonado-Castañeda, Julio Caceda Adrianzen, willard muntanga, Paul de Bruyn, and discussant Oliver Mutanga, the conversation explored lessons and lived realities shaping capability approaches across diverse contexts.

This panel celebrated the Special Issue:
📚 Education, Sustainability and Social Justice: Lessons for Capability Development and Expansion of Opportunities for Authorship from the Global South, published in the Journal of Human Development and Capabilities

🎥 Watch the recording now and join the conversation: https://hd-ca.org/videos/hdca-online-panel-meet-the-authors-special-issue-on-education-sustainability-and-social-justice-from-the-global-south

A Special Issue launch of

05/12/2026

🌟 Deadline This Week: ul Haq Early Career Scholarships 2026 🌟

A reminder that applications for the ul Haq Early Career Scholarships close this week!
⏳ Deadline: 15 May 2026

If you’re a PhD student or early career researcher working on human development or the capability approach, this is your chance to connect with a global research community and receive support for your academic journey.

As an ul Haq Scholar, you will receive:

✨ Mentorship to support peer-reviewed publications
✨ Opportunities to present your work in HDCA webinars
✨ Free HDCA membership during the scholarship
✨ Visibility across HDCA and UNDP/HDRO platforms
✨ Access to conference bursaries

Don’t miss the opportunity to gain recognition, mentorship, and expand your network with scholars from around the world.

📢 Please share with colleagues, students, and researchers who may be interested!

🔗 Apply here: