Investigations on Human Development Strategies for Countries in Transition to Knowledge-Based Sustainable Development- A Case Study for Qatar

Human development has been recognized as the ultimate aim and most determinant enabler for a truly sustainable form of development that envisions delicately balanced economic, social, and environmental development. However, this was recognized after a century of ignorance and the exploitation of humans as a source of labor or capital—or, at best, as capacity under the previous century’s overarching dilemma of economic growth fueled by industrialization, capitalism, and hunger for consumption at the expense of social and environmental development A growing recognition of the value and necessity of human development for sustainable development has required all countries, including many in the Arabian Peninsula and the Gulf, to reconsider and rejuvenate their development frameworks, which are primarily dependent on the exploitation of natural resources, specifically oil/gas revenues. For a country like Qatar which is currently in its quest for a radical transformation from a resource-based economy to knowledge-based sustainable development, human development is critically important for building up its population with balanced developmental capacities. Therefore, this study examines Qatar’s human development needs considering its historical, socio-cultural, political, and economic developments. The major research problem presenting a focal point of the current study is represented by Qatar’s transition to sustainable development by becoming a knowledge economy in the light of grand policy strategies under the umbrella of Qatar National Vision 2030. The primary objective of this research is to develop a human development strategy framework for Qatar, in line with its sustainable development goals and national vision. Along with this, this study strives to introduce specific recommendations for an integrated policy framework for the country to increase the quality and quantity of human development for achieving economic diversification, sustainable economy, and thus, sustainable development in a broader perspective. Therefore, the present research aims to enhance the understanding of the appropriate human development strategies for the countries transitioning from resource-led growth models to a knowledge-based economy by taking Qatar as a case study. The evaluation of the current educational reforms’ effectiveness and recommendation of strategies that would help Qatar to address its emerging policy challenges in the light of UN’s sustainable development goals (SDGs) and the needs of the knowledge-intensive industries are also major aims of the study.The study employs a combination of theoretical and qualitative approaches and a mixed method research design. The theoretical approach is used in the investigation of concepts, models and examples of human development, knowledge-based economy, economic development, sustainability, etc. based on secondary data gathered through desk research of academic and sectoral publications by institutions like the World Bank and Qatar ministries’ databases. In addition to that, qualitative primary data is collected through in-depth interviews with participants from the public, private and academic sectors. This interview data enriches the analysis with novel insights from their opinions and perspectives on the status of human development in Qatar. Triangulation of the primary and secondary research findings provides a better understanding of the current strategies and challenges as well as their recommendations. A preliminary framework is then developed using the insight, data and analysis from literature review, documentary analysis and qualitative research feedback. Second set interviews are performed to validate the proposed preliminary framework and to capture the participants’ honest opinions, criticism and modifications of the proposed framework. Specific policy recommendations, implementation roadmap and risk analysis are then developed under this validated framework. The research findings lead to the key result of this study: the development of a Qatar Human Human Development Strategy Framework (QHD FW) as well as the introduction of seven specific and targeted policy recommendations in line with its QNV 2030 and SDGs entailing citizenship, skills/talents and leadership as its main components.The research is characterized by limitations including the focus on the case of Qatar which limits the applicability of the proposed framework and policies to other contexts due to the specific combination of factors in Qatar. The qualitative nature of the study poses additional challenges to the generalizability of the research findings and propositions. The practical applicability of the suggested political measures would require additional research and the development of more precise roadmap for every single policy.