 Managing change that leads to sustainable futures calls for adaptability, innovation, and the capacity to develop effective solutions. Fair and just economic and social development, gender equity, and cultural and religious diversity must form part of any such solutions. IFUW believes that education, both formal and informal, underpins building sustainable futures.
The concept of sustainable development is grounded in the Report of the Brundtland Commission of 1987 that defined sustainable development as development that ‘meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.’
Sustainable development encompasses three policy areas: social, economic and environmental. The 2005 World Summit Outcome Document referred to the ‘interdependent and mutually reinforcing pillars’ of sustainable development as social development, economic development and environmental protection. If you think of each of these policies as intersecting balls it is at the confluence of the three that sustainable development can be found. This is the visual concept that has been chosen by ECOSC as the logo for the Annual Ministerial Review for 2008 together with the theme, ‘Implementing the internationally agreed goals and commitments in regard to sustainable development.’
IFUW is an organization that aims to bring an interdisciplinary approach to issues, encourages graduate women to use their expertise to bring about change, and advocates the views of graduate women in international forums with particular reference to the education of girls, adult literacy, access and advancement of women in higher education and the empowerment of women as leaders and decision-makers. As university graduates with many diverse areas of expertise, IFUW members are well suited to work with governments and businesses as agents for change, working through education, at all levels, to ensure and safeguard social, physical, emotional and spiritual well-being, a vibrant economy, and a healthy environment for ourselves and future generations.
Therefore, the 2007-2010 Programme for Action is asking National Federations and Associations to support activities that will contribute to building sustainable futures. IFUW has chosen to focus on three global areas: Education, Environment & Economy, and Human Rights.
The United Nations designated 2005-2015 as the Decade of Education
for Sustainable Development (DESD). highlighting the important link between education and sustainable development. The goal of DESD is to integrate the principles,
values and practices of sustainable development in all aspects of education and
learning.
In addition, the 2005 World Summit Outcome document emphasizes:
- The importance of achieving universal primary education
- The importance of training to eradicate illiteracy
- The critical role of both formal and informal education in eradicating poverty
- The expansion of secondary & higher education, as well as vocational
education & technical training, especially for girls and women.
- The creation of human resources and infrastructure capabilities, and the
empowerment of those living in poverty.
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The Rio Declaration on Environment & Development states that:
Human
beings are at the centre of concerns for sustainable development. They
are entitled to a healthy and productive life in harmony with nature.
Sustainable development can only be ensured by protecting the environment
and using its resources wisely. People who are dependent on natural resources
for their livelihood are the most affected by environmental degradation and
natural disasters, the effects of which can be increased by mismanagement and
ignorance of the possible effects of
development driven by short-term profit
To promote economic development and attain the MDGs, especially poverty reduction
and gender equality, the global community must renew its attention to women’s
economic empowerment and increase investment in women.
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The 2005 World Summit reaffirmed that all human rights
are universal, indivisible, interrelated, interdependent and mutually reinforcing
and that all human rights must be treated in a fair and equal manner, on the
same footing and with the same emphasis.
It calls for the protection and promotion of all human rights, the
rule of law and democracy and recognition that
respecting the rights of all includes respecting the right to difference and
dissent.
The Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural
Expressions 2005 calls for:
- The creation of conditions in which cultures can flourish and freely interact
in a mutually beneficial manner
- The encouragement of dialogue among cultures with a view to ensuring wider
and balanced cultural exchanges in the world so as to nurture intercultural respect
and a culture of peace
- The promotion of respect for the diversity of cultural expressions and a
raised awareness of its value at the local, national and international levels.
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