The Paradigm of Sustainable Human Development

Encyclopedia Britannica
The paradigm (pattern/model) of Sustainable development is an approach to economic planning that attempts to foster economic growth while preserving the quality of the environment for future generations. Despite its enormous popularity in the last two decades of the 20th century, the concept of sustainable development proved difficult to apply in many cases.
The term sustainable development was put into the lexicon of international discourse by the World Conservation Strategy of 1980 (IUCN, WWF, UNEP) 2

MILESTONES OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

1972 Stockholm Conference on Human Environment
Creation of UNEP

1987 Brundtland Report Our Common Future

Introduction of the sustainable development paradigm
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1992 UN Conference on Environment and

Development/UNCED Earth Summit Rio

Rio Declaration on Environment and Development Agenda 21 (to be done in the 21st Century)
Framework Convention on Climate Change/UNFCCC Convention on Biological Diversity/CBD UN-Convention to Combat Desertification/UNCCD Forest Principles
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1997 Earth Summit + 5

Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21

2002 World Summit on Sustainable

Development / WSSD Johannesburg Rio+10 summit

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Declaration on Sustainable Development Johannesburg Plan of Implementation

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1987 Brundtland Report Our Common Future

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 requires meeting the basic needs of all extending to all the opportunity to satisfy their aspirations for a better life.
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UN Conference on Environment and development

UNCED or Earth Summit, an 11-day meeting held in June, 1992, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to discuss the global conflict between economic development and environmental protection. Representatives of more than 170 nations agreed to work toward the sustainable development of the planet and the highway to a better world, although most of the agreements were not legally binding. In Rio, sustainable development was declared a guiding vision.

The Rio Declaration defines principles for the relationship of states among each other and the relationship between states and their citizens in the field of environment and development. Agenda 21 is the programme of action (21st century) for sustainable development containing recommendations for action in all areas of policy. In addition to Agenda 21 the Rio conventions were adopted as instruments of global environmental protection that are binding under international law. These were the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Convention on Biological Biodiversity (UNCBD) and the Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). The Statement of Forest Principles is not legally binding.

Rio Declaration on Environment and Development 27 Principles

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 At the national level, each individual shall have the opportunity to participate in decisionmaking processes. States shall enact effective environmental legislation. The precautionary approach shall be widely applied by States National authorities should endeavour to promote the internalization of environmental costs
Principle 16 Principle 15
Principle 11

Principle 10

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Principle 25

Peace, development and environmental protection are interdependent and indivisible.

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Principle 27 States and people shall cooperate in good faith and in a spirit of partnership in the fulfilment of the principles embodied in this Declaration and in the further development of international law in the field of sustainable development.

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Agenda 21- Contents

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Preamble

SECTION I. SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DIMENSIONS 2. International cooperation to accelerate sustainable development in developing countries and related domestic policies 3. combating poverty 4. Changing consumption patterns 5. Demographic dynamics and sustainability 6. Protecting and promoting human health conditions 7. Promoting sustainable human settlement development 8. Integrating environment and development in decision-making

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SECTION II. CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT OF RESOURCES FOR DEVELOPMENT

9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. Protection of the atmosphere Integrated approach to the planning and management of land resources Combating deforestation Managing fragile ecosystems: combating desertification and drought Managing fragile ecosystems: sustainable mountain development Promoting sustainable agriculture and rural development Conservation of biological diversity Environmentally sound management of biotechnology Protection of the oceans, all kinds of seas, including enclosed and semienclosed seas, and coastal areas and the protection, rational use and development of their living resources 18. Protection of the quality and supply of freshwater resources: application of integrated approaches to the development, management and use of water resources 19. Environmentally sound management of toxic chemicals, including prevention of illegal international traffic in toxic and dangerous products 20. Environmentally sound management of hazardous wastes, in hazardous wastes 21. Environmentally sound management of solid wastes and sewage-related issues 22. Safe and environmentally sound management of radioactive wastes

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SECTION III. STRENGTHENING THE ROLE OF MAJOR GROUPS

23. Preamble 24. Global action for women towards sustainable and equitable development 25. Children and youth in sustainable development 26. Recognizing and strengthening the role of indigenous people and their communities 27. Strengthening the role of non-governmental organizations: partners for sustainable development 28. Local authorities' initiatives in support of Agenda 21 29. Strengthening the role of workers and their trade unions 30. Strengthening the role of business and industry 31. Scientific and technological community 38 32. Strengthening the role of farmers

SECTION IV. MEANS OF IMPLEMENTATION

33. Financial resources and mechanisms 34. Transfer of environmentally sound technology, cooperation and capacitybuilding 35. Science for sustainable development 36. Promoting education, public awareness and training 37. National mechanisms and international cooperation for capacity-building in developing countries 38. International institutional arrangements 39. International legal instruments and mechanisms 40. Information for decision-making

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Democracy-Participation
26. Experience has shown that sustainable development requires a commitment to sound economic policies and management, an effective and predictable public administration, the integration of environmental concerns into decisionmaking and progress towards democratic government, in the light of country-specific conditions, which allows for full participation of all parties concerned.

27.1. Non-governmental organizations play a vital role in the shaping and implementation of participatory democracy.
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14 B. Ensuring people's participation and promoting human resource development for sustainable agriculture
14.22 Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the relevant international and regional organizations, should: Encourage people's participation on farm technology development and transfer, incorporating indigenous ecological knowledge and practices; Launch applied research on participatory methodologies, management strategies and local organizations.
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35. Science for sustainable development

Science is essential to the search for sustainable development and should be responsive to emerging needs. The programme areas proposed herein are intended to be over-arching, in order to support the specific scientific requirements identified in the other Agenda 21 chapters. One role of the sciences should be to provide information to better enable formulation and selection of environment and development policies in the decision-making process. In order to fulfil this requirement, it will be essential to enhance scientific understanding, improve long-term scientific assessments, strengthen scientific capacities in all countries and ensure that the sciences are responsive to emerging needs.

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Scientific knowledge should be applied to articulate and support the goals of sustainable development. Sustainable development requires taking longerterm perspectives, integrating local and regional effects of global change into the development process, and using the best scientific and traditional knowledge available. Often, there is a communication gap among scientists, policy makers, and the public at large, whose interests are articulated by both governmental and non-governmental organizations. Better communication is required among scientists, decision makers, and the general public.
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Programme for the Future Implementation of Agenda 21

Adopted by the Special Session of the General Assembly, 23-27 June 1997

We reaffirm that Agenda 21 remains the fundamental programme of action for achieving sustainable development. We reaffirm all the principles contained in the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development and the Forest Principles. Economic development, social development and environmental protection are interdependent and mutually reinforcing components of sustainable development.
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Johannesburg Declaration on Sustainable Development 37 paragraphs

1. We, the representatives of the peoples of the world, assembled at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, South Africa from 2-4 September 2002, reaffirm our commitment to sustainable development. 2. We commit ourselves to build a humane, equitable and caring global society cognizant of the need for human dignity for all.
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5.We assume a collective responsibility to advance and strengthen the interdependent and mutually reinforcing pillars of sustainable development economic development, social development and environmental protection at local, national, regional and global levels. 11.We recognize that poverty eradication, changing consumption and production patterns, and protecting and managing the natural resource base for economic and social development are overarching objectives of, and essential requirements for sustainable development.
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13.The global environment continues to suffer. Loss of biodiversity continues, fish stocks continue to be depleted, desertification claims more and more fertile land, the adverse effects of climate change are already evident, natural disasters are more frequent and more devastating and developing countries more vulnerable, and air, water and marine pollution continue to rob millions of a decent life. 14.Globalization has added a new dimension to these challenges. 15. democratic systems to which we remain committed

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17. Recognizing the importance of building human solidarity, we urge the promotion of dialogue and cooperation among the worlds civilizations and peoples, irrespective of race, disabilities, religion, language, culture and tradition.

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20. We are committed to ensure that womens empowerment and emancipation, and gender equality are integrated in all activities encompassed within Agenda 21, the Millennium Development Goals and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation. 22. In this regard, to contribute to the achievement of our development goals and targets, we urge developed countries that have not done so to make concrete efforts towards the internationally agreed levels of Official Development Assistance. 27. We agree that in pursuit of their legitimate activities the private sector, both large and small companies, have a duty to contribute to the evolution of equitable and sustainable communities and societies.
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30. We undertake to strengthen and improve governance at all levels, for the effective implementation of Agenda 21, the Millennium Development Goals and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation. 32. We reaffirm our commitment to the principles and purposes of the UN Charter and inter-national law as well as the strengthening of multilateralism. We support the leadership role of the United Nations as the most universal and representative organization in the world, which is best placed to promote sustainable development. 35. We commit ourselves to act together, united by a common determination to save our planet, promote human development and achieve universal prosperity and peace. 50

Plan of Implementation / WSSD

I. Introduction II. Poverty eradication III. Changing unsustainable patterns of consumption and production IV. Protecting and managing the natural resource base of economic and social development V. Sustainable development in a globalizing world VI. Health and sustainable development VII. Sustainable development of small island developing States VIII. Sustainable development for Africa VIII.Bis Other regional initiatives IX. Means of implementation X. Institutional framework for sustainable development

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2. The present plan of implementation will further build on the achievements made since UNCED and expedite the realization of the remaining goals. To this end, we commit ourselves to undertaking concrete actions and measures at all levels and to enhancing international cooperation, taking into account the Rio Principles, including, inter alia, the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities as set out in principle 7 of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development. These efforts will also promote the integration of the three components of sustainable development economic development, social development and environmental protection as interdependent and mutually reinforcing pillars. Poverty eradication, changing unsustainable patterns of production and consumption, and protecting and managing the natural resource base of economic and social development are overarching objectives of, and essential requirements for, sustainable development. 52

Good governance within each country and at the international level is essential for sustainable development. At the domestic level, sound environmental, social and economic policies, democratic institutions responsive to the needs of the people, the rule of law, anti-corruption measures, gender equality and an enabling environment for investment are the basis for sustainable development. As a result of globalization, external factors have become critical in determining the success or failure of developing countries in their national efforts. The gap between developed and developing countries points to the continued need for a dynamic and enabling international economic environment supportive of international cooperation
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5. Peace, security, stability and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the right to development, as well as respect for cultural diversity, are essential for achieving sustainable development and ensuring that sustainable development benefits all. 6. Eradicating poverty is the greatest global challenge facing the world today and an indispensable requirement for sustainable development, particularly for developing countries. Although each country has the primary responsibility for its own sustainable development and poverty eradication and the role of national policies and development strategies cannot be overemphasized, concerted and concrete measures are required at all levels to enable developing countries to achieve their sustainable development goals as related to the internationally agreed poverty-related targets and goals, including those contained in Agenda 21, the relevant outcomes of other United Nations conferences and the United Nations Millennium Declaration. This would include actions at all levels to: (b) Establish a world solidarity fund to eradicate poverty and to promote social and human development 54 in the developing countries

Integrating human rights with sustainable human development

A UNDP policy document - January 1998

UNDP advocates the realization of human rights as part of sustainable human development, an approach that places people at the centre of all development activities. For UNDP sustainable human development provides a unique and holistic paradigm.

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Sustainable human development seeks to expand choices for all people-women, men and children, current and future generations-while protecting the natural systems on which all life depends. Moving away from a narrow, economycentred approach to development, sustainable human development places people at the core, and views humans as both a means and an end of development. Thus sustainable human development aims to eliminate poverty, promote human dignity and rights, and provide equitable opportunities for all through good governance, thereby promoting the realization of all human rights-economic, social, cultural, civil and political.

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Thank you

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