Global Prosperity Beyond GDP
How can we think beyond GDP and build a prosperous economy that works better for people and the planet? Find out with this course.
Duration
4 weeksWeekly study
2 hours
Global Prosperity Beyond GDP
Discover how we can build a better world by focusing on prosperity, not wealth.
Economic growth is no longer the best indicator of broader success. By 2050, the global population will reach 10 billion and we may face environmental crisis. If we are to thrive, and not just survive, into the next century, we will need new tools and new ways of thinking to tackle the challenges of today and ensure a successful and prosperous future for everyone.
On this course you will look at other approaches to defining success for society, examining how we must aim for a broader notion of prosperity at both a personal and planetary level.
What topics will you cover?
Week 1
- The origins and future of GDP
- The Democratic Deficit
- The state as the guardian of prosperity
Week 2
- Measuring prosperity and potential new approaches
- Sites of exemplification
- The work of the RELIEF Centre
Week 3
- Frameworks of change
- The Sustainable Development Goals
- The 2050 Challenge
- The Doughtnut development concept
Week 4
- Business and the new economy
- Business and climate change
- Consumption habits
- Making a difference
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and learn at your own pace. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Available now
Learning on this course
You can take this self-guided course and learn at your own pace. On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Justify the need for a re-examination of the way we look at economics, and the role it plays in guiding society
- Gain an understanding of the origin of GDP and the context from which it emerged
- Gain an understanding of new approaches to measurement of success
- Describe what a framework of change is, and why they exist
- Recognise the potential for building a new economy that works better for people and the planet
Who is the course for?
The course is for anyone concerned with global issues and the unprecedented challenges of the 21st Century. It aims to inspire students, entrepreneurs, and citizens with a positive picture of what we are capable of with just a little bit of re-direction. No prior knowledge of the subject is needed.
Who will you learn with?
Hello! I’m Professor Henrietta Moore, Director of the Institute for Global Prosperity. My recent work has focussed on the notion of global sustainable and prosperous futures.
Who developed the course?
UCL (University College London)
UCL was founded in 1826. It was the first English university established after Oxford and Cambridge, and the first to open up university education to those previously excluded from it.
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps, but you can complete them as quickly or slowly as you like
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
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- Access to this course for 6 weeks
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