The debate on key global issues such as poverty, hunger, education, health, trade, environment - as well as issues that affect women and children - is growing. And so is the terminology.

Development: The process of improving the quality of human lives around the world.... For more, click on letter D.

To guide you through this debate, the BBC World Service Trust has compiled a brief clickable index of terms that frequently appear in development-related discussions, policy and practice at all levels - local, national and international.

The terms in Guide to Development Speak are listed alphabetically. Please click on any letter for an explanation.


Related BBC glossaries:

Climate change glossary
Migration glossary