Digital BABA

Topic of Discussion: Sustainable Development
Moderator: Citra
Contributors: DANAASUREN, KAMRUL, PENG, CITRA, TIN, DON
Reactors: NAOKI, JUNBO, ITO, ERNA, MAKY, MATHURANA

What Does Sustainable Development Mean?

The discussion started nicely by Danaa, one of our Contributors in the forum. The most common definition for sustainable development is the one used by the Brundtland Commision in their “Our Common Future” (1987) – ‘development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’. Its abstractions and its close integration with economy, society and natural environment, there are various (contested?) interpretations for sustainable development (read further: http://oregonfuture.oregonstate.edu/part1/pf1_02.html;, Fricker, 2001 on http://www.metafuture.org/articlesbycolleagues/AlanFricker/Measuring%20up%20to %20Sustainability.htm).

This brings us to the first question of what does sustainable development mean? Danaa said it is the balancing way of developing economic and society while considering natural environment and well-being of our future generation, or simply live harmoniously with nature; while Ito said that sustainable development means doing things in ways that ensure we continue to do so. I would like to add that many sectors now develop their own definitions to translate the abstract definition of sustainable development into more measurable ones, e.g. the definition of Sustainable City by the Aalborg Charter (http://www.centerforsustainablecities.com/r_la21.html; http://sustainable-cities.eu/Aalborg-Charter-79-2-3-.html), the definition of Sustainable Waste Management, or the Sustainable Model of Higher Education (Cortese, 2003).

Danaa further stated that the broad and vague definition provides both pros and cons for sustainable development. Therefore, there is a need for more clear understanding and framework to apply SD into the practice. Hence, the framework I proposed below.

The Framework for Sustainable Development

There are threats to the realization of sustainable development in Asia (Sachs, 2008). I –as a Contributor– proposed the framework for sustainable development that should consider the following points:
Taking into account the important factor of POPULATION
Modelling or SYSTEM DYNAMICS should be employed
Bring THE COMPLEXITY OF THE SOCIAL into the big frame of our development
Thinking the problem in LOCAL CONTEXT
Lessen the UNCERTAINTY

Population factor would play a major role in sustainable development in Asia. Danaa touch a bit about our overemphasized way of thinking and behaving on profit orientation.

Sustainable Development (and the Concept of Sustainability) in Other Discussion Forums

It is important to note that talk about sustainable development was not limited only in the forum on sustainable development. In an article written by Prof. Amitav Acharya sent by Kamrul in Human Security Discussion Forum, I found out that UN Peacebuilding Commission’s goal is to assist in post-conflict recovery and reconstruction, including institution-building and sustainable development. Apart from by acting as a source of information and early warning about conflicts, providing a channel for relief operations, supporting government or UN-sponsored peacebuilding and rehabilitation missions, NGO plays a major role in promoting human security by sustainable development in term. Erna said further in the same discussion forum that civic society plays a crucial role in the process of ending violence and providing a better livelihood for vulnerable people sustainably.

Madhuchanda in Efficient Government Discussion Group stated that sustainable development can be fostered by developing good governance and transparency.

Ito also touch sustainable development in Capacity Building Discussion Group by stating that to ensure the sustainability of development programs/ initiatives, capacity building (both individual and institutional levels; highlighted by Danaa, note) is a required component.

I shall close this summary by suggesting that sustainable development can not be talked about partially, but only with holistic approach by making it as a framework in the development of all sector can we get a more clearer picture of our own Asia.

Bibiliography

Acharya, A. (????). Human Security. In [author?]. [title?]. [city?: publisher]. à sent by Kamrul

Al-Jurf, S.(????). Good Governance & Transparency: Their Impact on Development. [city?: publisher]. à sent by Madhuchanda

Anthony D. Cortese. 2003. The Critical Role of Higher Education in Creating a Sustainable Future. Planning for Higher Education. 31(3): 15–22.

Fricker, A. 2001.Measuring up to sustainability – Sustainable Futures Trust. http://www.metafuture.org/articlesbycolleagues/AlanFricker/Measuring%20up%20to %20Sustainability.htm. Downloaded on May 20, 2008.

Sachs, J. D. (2008). The challenge of sustainable development in Asia: Facing up to the challenges ahead. International Herald Tribune. Monday, June 16, 2008.

UNCED. 1987. Our Common Future. Oxford University Press. Oxford.

Useful Links

http://oregonfuture.oregonstate.edu/part1/pf1_02.html
Thoughts on what sustainability is

http://www.iiasa.ac.at/Research/LUC/Papers/gkh1/chap1.htm
Major trends of world population

http://www.adb.org/Documents/Books/Sustainable_Dev/default.asp
A book on Sustainable Development in Asia by the Asia Development Bank

http://www.apec.org/apec/apec_groups/other_apec_groups/sustainable_development.html

Many publication files by APEC

http://development.asia/
A publication on sustainable development by Asia Development Bank