Beyond goals and targets: Future of social development

By presenting the summary and main argument of each chapter, which discuss respective eleven themes—social development, Millennium Development Goal (MDG) progress, human rights, participation, peace, gender, environment, religion and spirituality, ageing, social protection, and partnership—this concluding chapter suggests to look at beyond goals and targets, though they are important. It argues that the future of social development should focus on eight crucial areas. These are clinging to core values and principles; research, knowledge creation and dissemination, and training; coordination of multidisciplinary professionals and multidisciplinary knowledge; shift in consumption patterns; creating a less unequal, peaceful, just, happy, and contented societies; regard to epistemological breadth and depth; application of technologies and technological innovations for the advancement social development; and most importantly focusing on social innovations.