what is sustainable development?

Before we start…

• One person can make a difference…

…and everyone should tryJ F Kennedy

Will you?•Youth are the most important actors in sustainable development. • It’s about our future.

What is sustainable development?

• The term “sustainable development” has become commonplace in mainstream politics. However, not everyone is aware what sustainable development truly means because there is no fixed definition and politicians have used the term in various ways.

What do YOU think sustainable development is?

The Brundtland Definition (1987)

“Sustainable development is development that meets the needs

of the present without compromising the ability of future

generations to meet their own needs.”

Sustainable development is more than just caring about the environment, or generating money through economic growth.

It is the intersection of three pillars:Environment, Economy, and Society.

• When we think of sustainable development we must think of a system where the decisions taken ensure that every component of the system – man, trees, environment, society, wealth, is capable of flourishing without hindering the capacity of the other component to do so, whether in the present or in the future

Systems approach

• THE PRINCIPLE IS TO LOOK AT EVERYTHING AS PART OF A WHOLE: THE ISSUES WHICH WE FACE ARE MULTIPLE, AND COMPLEX. WE NEED A HOLISTIC VISION, WHICH LOOKS AT THE WELLBEING OF MAN AND THE PLANET TOGETHER.

The approach towards sustainable development should encompass all aspects and take into consideration the fact that everything is connected: across generations and across countries (and communities etc)

How do we keep track of everything?But if we all understand the principles behind sustainable development: principles such as equality, green living, social progress, responsible consumption and so on, it is easy to reach agreement about what sustainable development truly is, and what conditions are necessary to achieve it.

• Can you list some principles for sustainable development?

• Imagine what would happen if, for example, all the forests were to be destroyed for the sake of building an industry. Imagine if there were no trees at all on earth: would life be possible? …

• Imagine, on the other hand, if we based an economy which tried to protect those forests, make good use of them but keep them in good condition for the next generations, as well as dividing the profits equally among everyone involved. Thus, the wealth would grow, the people would have a fair share not only of the wealth, but also the access to those resources. That’s sustainable development.

• Check out this video called “Tragedy of the Commons,” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZFkUeleHPY

A look at the three pillars of SD:

Sustainable development – the economic dimension

The economic pillar is often made to be the strongest or even the only pillar in “development”. To ensure economic development and sustainability at the same time, we need to look at issues such as:•Fair trade•Debt eradication•Putting in place mechanisms which ensure that everyone gets their due reward•That corporations, industries and governments or Industries do not use up resources and put a strain on the environment

Sustainable development – the social dimension

• Health: everyone having access to healthcare and leading healthy lifestyles, and diseases (such as HIV) being eradicated

• Education: everyone, esp. girls and people from poor background having access to education

• Equality: everyone should be equal, and not be discriminated against because they do not have the same resources or wealth as others, or because they are a girl or belong to a specific community etc.

• Peace: many of us may take peace for granted; however, last year, over 30 conflicts and wars around the world were taking place and lack of security is a very real issue for a lot of youth.

• Food security, technology and communication, equal opportunities etc

Sustainable development – the environmental dimension

• Human activities have disrupted ecosystems and also led to the disappearance – extinction – of countless species of plants and animals.

Many conflicting views of sustainable development believe that it is actually anti-

growth and anti-wealth. On the contrary, SD is about balance and a holistic approach

to development. This means that some things need to be preserved and sustained while others should be given the incentive

to be developed.

~What more could be added to this list?~ ~What can be improved? What things need to be protected?~

What things need to be protected What needs to be developed.

• People and cultures• Natural Resources• Biodiversity• Environment and Ecosystems

• Quality of life• Justice and social equality• Equal opportunity• Institutions• Culture of sustainability• Fair income• Dialogue and Communication

What is my role in sustainable development (SD)?

• Sustainable development requires the active involvement of all stakeholders: governments, NGOs, private sector but also civil society. It is not just politicians, or policy makers, who decide what SD should be like. The most important stakeholder in SD is YOU!

• You have to remind policy-makers to make decisions which protect your future: you can remind them that you want better jobs, cleaner cities, more equitable resource distribution, and above all, a guarantee that your future is secure, full of opportunities, a pleasant world to live in and a healthy planet.

And for young people?

• Sustainable development is especially important for young people! The implementation of sustainable development policies going into effect now will determine the future which we will inherit tomorrow!

• Because it is youth who will inherit this planet, by advocating for sustainable development, and adopting sustainable practices, you are actively participating in shaping your own future.

What do they all mean?

There are many definitions, sustainable, responsible, eco,

voluntourism, geotourism etc... below are a few definitions to

guide you.

"Sustainable tourism development requires the informed participation of all relevant stakeholders, as well as strong political leadership to ensure wide participation and consensus building. Achieving sustainable tourism is a continuous process and it requires constant monitoring of impacts, introducing the necessary preventive and/or corrective measures whenever necessary.

• Sustainable tourism should also maintain a high level of tourist satisfaction and ensure a meaningful experience to the tourists, raising their awareness about sustainability issues and promoting sustainable tourism practices amongst them. "

• World Tourism Organization, 2004

Responsible tourism is like sustainable tourism, however as often the word sustainability is often overused and not understood,

responsible tourism has been adopted as a term used by industry

Responsible tourism is any form of tourism that can be consumed in a more responsible way.

• "Responsible tourism is tourism which: • minimizes negative social, economic and environmental impacts

• generates greater economic benefits for local people and enhances the well-being of host communities

• improves working conditions and access to the industry

• involves local people in decisions that affect their lives and life chances

• makes positive contributions to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage embracing diversity

• provides more enjoyable experiences for tourists through more meaninful connections with local people, and a greater understanding of local cultural, social and environmental issues

• provides access for physically challenged people

• is culturally sensitive, encourages respect between tourists and hosts, and builds local pride and confidence

• Cape Town Declaration, 2002

• Ecotourism is a form of sustainable tourism - all forms of tourism can become more sustainable but not all forms of tourism can be ecotourism

• "Ecotourism is environmentally responsible travel and visitation to relatively undisturbed natural areas, in order to enjoy, study and appreciate nature (and any accompanying cultural features - both past and present), that promotes conservation, has low visitor impact, and provides for beneficially active socio-economic involvement of local populations"

(Ceballos-Lascurain, 1993).(The official definition adopted by the IUCN in 1996)

• Geotourism is very similar to sustainable tourism and is a definition brought about by National Geographic Traveller...

• the concept is the same but they focus on the 'sense of place' in an area rather than the industry's efforts.

• Voluntourism is a form of travel where one volunteers on projects which give back to the community.