Sustainable Development Education Panel
Supporting Sustainable Development through Educational Resources:
A Voluntary Code of Practice
Glossary and background
Sustainable development
is a process rather than a fixed goal. It is most commonly defined by the phrase used by the Brundtland Commission in 1987: "Development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs". Another useful definition, adopted jointly in 1991 by IUCN - The World Conservation Union, the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Wide Fund for Nature, is: "Sustainable development means improving the quality of life whilst living within the carrying capacity of the supporting ecosystem". It is a complex concept, involving social justice, equity and concern for the future, as well as environmental and development issues.
The crucial role of education in achieving the move towards a more sustainable way of life is being addressed within the UK's sustainable development strategy, initially developed in response to Agenda 21. A Sustainable Development Education Panel, set up by the Government in 1998, reports directly to the respective Secretaries of State for Education and Employment and the Environment, Transport and the Regions. The Panel is currently developing definitions and agreed learning outcomes and is also influencing the review of the school curriculum.Agenda 21
is the blueprint for sustainable development agreed by 180 of the world's leaders at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992. It stresses the importance of involving all sectors of the community in order to move towards more sustainable ways of life and calls for local authorities to develop Local Agenda 21 strategies, in collaboration with their communities.
Local Agenda 21
is the process of developing local strategies for sustainable development. Agenda 21 requires local authorities to build partnerships between sectors of the community, such as businesses, voluntary groups and young people, to develop a Local Agenda 21 action plan. It is a continuing process and activities, approaches and issues vary according to local priorities and circumstances.
References
Agenda 21: programme of action for sustainable development. United Nations Conference on Environment and Development. New York: United Nations, 1992.
Caring for the Earth: a strategy for sustainable living. David A Munro and Martin W Holdgate (editors). Gland, Switzerland: IUCN - The World Conservation Union/United Nations Environment Programme/World Wide Fund for Nature, 1991.
Education for sustainability. John Huckle and Stephen Sterling (editors). London: Earthscan, 1996.
Good earth-keeping: education, training and awareness for a sustainable future. Environment and Development Education and Training Group. London: United Nations Environment Programme - UK Committee, 1992.
Guidelines on producing development education resources. Chris Mason. London: Development Education Association, 1998.
Guidelines on the preparation and evaluation of curricular resources. Common Agenda Workshop Planning Group. Dundee: Scottish Consultative Council on the Curriculum, 1998.
Our common future. World Commission on Environment and Development (Chair: Gro Harlem Brundtland). Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1987.
Sponsorship in schools: good practice guidelines. National Consumer Council. London: National Consumer Council, 1996.
Page published 21 April
1999;
Page last modified
20 August, 2002