Whether the world is making progress or slipping backwards is hotly disputed. This course will explore questions such as: What are the overall objectives of progress (and how can they be measured)? What are the drivers of progress? What have been the historical trends in both? Have we been making progress over the longer term? What are the recent trends? Do these suggest a change in direction? What data can we look at to shed light on our discussion? What are credible scenarios for the medium-term future? What don't we understand that we would like to learn more about? Clearly this is an ambitious agenda, and my job will be to provide data and opinion where I can, facilitate a good discussion, and encourage participants who want to to bring their own materials and evidence to the discussion. This is my second run through of the programme.