This issue of the Social Development Bulletin indicates that the progress made in the economic sphere in recent years was not enough to reduce inequality and social exclusion. To the contrary, economic growth has sometimes led to exacerbating such problems and increasing poverty. The bulletin asserts that social justice requires the implementation of integrated and comprehensive policies which respond to population needs, in the context of emerging global challenges and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. It also stresses that the promotion of responsible citizenship and equal access to quality social services cannot only be achieved by securing human rights, but also through investment in human capital.