This chapter casts light on the evolution of global actions and initiatives which culminated in development milestones globally and were spearheaded by the United Nations and its agencies. The chapter argues that social development was part of broad global efforts and agendas which aimed to produce a more prosperous, just and equitable world. These efforts were and still are part of the progressive global movements and within the United Nations and were spearheaded by inter alia, scholars, researchers, consultants and activists. These global initiatives and actions range from declarations, such as the United Nation’s Development Decades, to arriving at people-focussed and environmentally centred development approaches, such as the sustainable development perspective, among others. In drawing on insights from past global efforts to arrive at better development approaches to respond effectively to the needs of the people globally, it can be argued that social development emerged as one of the avenues that development agencies and national governments championed.