Sustainable Development

What is sustainable development?

The United Nations held a Human Environment conference from June 5-16, 1972 in Stockholm, Sweden. This conference tried to draft a plan for Human Sustainability. In 1983, the UN approved to create a program for Environment and Development. As a result, Brutland Commission was formed in the same year. This commission presented a paper on “Our Common Future” in the 42nd UN General Meeting in 1987. The paper defines Sustainable Development as: “Development that meets the need of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

Sustainable Development means searching for direct balance between environment and development, and finding the continued development criteria that the earth can support. In addition to that, development has to be done so that development in one area does not affect the development in another area.

Goals for Sustainable Development

1. To eradicate poverty and hunger.
2. For human development and progress.
3. For effective conservation of the environment.
4. To cautiously use natural resources and means.
5. To gain high, stable and sustainable economic growth.
6. To work on equal opportunities for disabled people and women empowerment.

Features of Sustainable Development

1. Helps in sustainable management of means and resources.
2. Creatse better future for future generations.
3. Emphasizes on environmental conservation.
4. Obtains, utilizes and conserves the means and resources available.
5. Handles fair distribution of means and resources.
6. Controls the over-utilization culture.
7. Helps in high and stable economic growth.
8. Helps to reduce, recycle and reuse the main resources.

Factors of Sustainable Development

There are many factors for sustainable development. It is related with social, cultural, economic and human aspects of life. According to UNESCO, sustainable development depends on social, economic, natural and political aspects of a country. Social and cultural aspects include the human community relations, cultural conservation, socio-cultural handovers, etc.