A paradigm shift is taking place in contemporary understanding of the role of human resources in development. Support for the supply-sided human capital model rests on the proposition, not yet established empirically, that it leads to more rapid rates of development than alternative approaches. The human resources development strategy stresses that human resources are both producers and the intended beneficiaries of development. It thus focuses on the achievement of human development directly, as well as indirectly through investment in human capital, and emphasises the role of rewarded economic activity and demand in successful implementation of human resources development. Important policy implications of the new HRD-based paradigm are discussed.