Advancing Catholic Social Thought and Teaching to the challenges of the contemporary world, Integral Human Development (IHD) aims at a development that makes every person ‘more human’ and seeks to promote the good of the whole person and of every person. It therefore starts from the concrete conditions and context of the person, recognizing the diversity of origins and cultures and addressing the needs felt in each particular situation.

IHD does not limit the concept of development to an issue of economic and social welfare but includes the recognition of personal and shared values. It is further concerned not only with the physical well-being of the person but fosters answers to their spiritual needs and to transcendental responsibility. IHD recognizes the person as vulnerable, a vulnerability opening to a dialogical attitude both in terms of the spiritual and in social relations.

IHD is concerned with the fringes of society aiming at integration and integrity, drawing special attention to the needs of migrants and refugees, and working for the safety of their lives and trajectories. It looks at issues of health and security not as isolated phenomena but as integrated matters of social and personal concern. IHD also includes the care of creation, asking for awareness and action facing the ecological challenges of the present.

IHD is grounded in the spirit of Laudato Si’ and Fratelli tutti – and a dynamic response to the new role that the Catholic Church plays in contemporary society in fraternity with all people aiming at the Good. It addresses the current needs on the basis of a long Samaritan tradition. It relocates the church in the heart of society where vulnerability meets helping hands and where the light of hope, faith and love illuminates those who are at risk.

IHD, Integral Ecology and the Economy of Francesco go hand in hand: IHD fosters the establishment of a Society of Care in which the cry of the poor can be heard as much as the cry of the Earth, a community of shared values, fraternal solidarity and participatory action.

Peter Hanenberg

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If you want to know more about IHD, please visit the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development here