1. what is sustainable
development?

3. Before we start…
• One person can make a difference…
…and everyone should try
J F Kennedy

4. Will you?
• Youth are the most
important actors in
sustainable
development.
• It’s about our future.

5. What is sustainable development?
• The term “sustainable development” has
become commonplace in mainstream politics.
However, not everyone is aware what
sustainable development truly means because
there is no fixed definition and politicians have
used the term in various ways.
What do YOU think sustainable
development is?

6. The Brundtland Definition (1987)
“Sustainable development is
development that meets the needs
of the present without
compromising the ability of future
generations to meet their own
needs.”

9. Sustainable development is more than just
caring about the environment, or generating
money through economic growth.
It is the intersection of three pillars:
Environment, Economy, and Society.

10. • When we think of sustainable development
we must think of a system where the decisions
taken ensure that every component of the
system – man, trees, environment, society,
wealth, is capable of flourishing without
hindering the capacity of the other
component to do so, whether in the present
or in the future
Systems approach

12. • THE PRINCIPLE IS TO LOOK AT EVERYTHING AS
PART OF A WHOLE: THE ISSUES WHICH WE
FACE ARE MULTIPLE, AND COMPLEX. WE NEED
A HOLISTIC VISION, WHICH LOOKS AT THE
WELLBEING OF MAN AND THE PLANET
TOGETHER.
The approach towards sustainable
development should encompass all aspects
and take into consideration the fact that
everything is connected: across generations
and across countries (and communities etc)

13. How do we keep track of everything?
But if we all understand the principles behind
sustainable development: principles such as
equality, green living, social progress,
responsible consumption and so on, it is easy to
reach agreement about what sustainable
development truly is, and what conditions are
necessary to achieve it.
• Can you list some principles for sustainable
development?

14. • Imagine what would happen if, for example, all the
forests were to be destroyed for the sake of building an
industry. Imagine if there were no trees at all on earth:
would life be possible? …
• Imagine, on the other hand, if we based an economy
which tried to protect those forests, make good use of
them but keep them in good condition for the next
generations, as well as dividing the profits equally
among everyone involved. Thus, the wealth would
grow, the people would have a fair share not only of
the wealth, but also the access to those resources.
That’s sustainable development.
• Check out this video called “Tragedy of the Commons,”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZFkUeleHPY

17. A look at the three pillars of SD:

18. Sustainable development – the
economic dimension
The economic pillar is often made to be the
strongest or even the only pillar in “development”.
To ensure economic development and sustainability
at the same time, we need to look at issues such as:
•Fair trade
•Debt eradication
•Putting in place mechanisms which ensure that
everyone gets their due reward
•That corporations, industries and governments or
Industries do not use up resources and put a strain
on the environment

19. Sustainable development – the social
dimension
• Health: everyone having access to healthcare and leading
healthy lifestyles, and diseases (such as HIV) being
eradicated
• Education: everyone, esp. girls and people from poor
background having access to education
• Equality: everyone should be equal, and not be discriminated
against because they do not have the same resources or
wealth as others, or because they are a girl or belong to a
specific community etc.
• Peace: many of us may take peace for granted; however, last
year, over 30 conflicts and wars around the world were taking
place and lack of security is a very real issue for a lot of youth.
• Food security, technology and communication, equal
opportunities etc

20. Sustainable development – the
environmental dimension
• Human activities have disrupted ecosystems
and also led to the disappearance – extinction –
of countless species of plants and animals.

21. Many conflicting views of sustainable
development believe that it is actually anti-
growth and anti-wealth. On the contrary,
SD is about balance and a holistic approach
to development. This means that some
things need to be preserved and sustained
while others should be given the incentive
to be developed.

22. ~What more could be added to this
list?~ ~What can be improved?
What things need to be
protected?~
What things need to be protected What needs to be developed.
• People and cultures
• Natural Resources
• Biodiversity
• Environment and Ecosystems
• Quality of life
• Justice and social equality
• Equal opportunity
• Institutions
• Culture of sustainability
• Fair income
• Dialogue and Communication

23. What is my role in sustainable
development (SD)?
• Sustainable development requires the active
involvement of all stakeholders: governments, NGOs,
private sector but also civil society. It is not just
politicians, or policy makers, who decide what SD
should be like. The most important stakeholder in SD is
YOU!
• You have to remind policy-makers to make decisions
which protect your future: you can remind them that
you want better jobs, cleaner cities, more equitable
resource distribution, and above all, a guarantee that
your future is secure, full of opportunities, a pleasant
world to live in and a healthy planet.

24. And for young people?
• Sustainable development is especially important
for young people! The implementation of
sustainable development policies going into
effect now will determine the future which we
will inherit tomorrow!
• Because it is youth who will inherit this planet, by
advocating for sustainable development, and
adopting sustainable practices, you are actively
participating in shaping your own future.

32. What do they all mean?
There are many definitions,
sustainable, responsible, eco,
voluntourism, geotourism etc...
below are a few definitions to
guide you.

33. "Sustainable tourism development requires the
informed participation of all relevant
stakeholders, as well as strong political
leadership to ensure wide participation and
consensus building. Achieving sustainable
tourism is a continuous process and it requires
constant monitoring of impacts, introducing the
necessary preventive and/or corrective
measures whenever necessary.

34. • Sustainable tourism should also maintain a
high level of tourist satisfaction and ensure a
meaningful experience to the tourists, raising
their awareness about sustainability issues
and promoting sustainable tourism practices
amongst them. "
• World Tourism Organization, 2004

35. Responsible tourism is like sustainable tourism, however as often
the word sustainability is often overused and not understood,
responsible tourism has been adopted as a term used by
industry
Responsible tourism is any form of tourism that can be
consumed in a more responsible way.

36. • "Responsible tourism is tourism which:
• minimizes negative social, economic and environmental impacts
• generates greater economic benefits for local people and enhances the well-being
of host communities
• improves working conditions and access to the industry
• involves local people in decisions that affect their lives and life chances
• makes positive contributions to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage
embracing diversity
• provides more enjoyable experiences for tourists through more meaninful
connections with local people, and a greater understanding of local cultural, social
and environmental issues
• provides access for physically challenged people
• is culturally sensitive, encourages respect between tourists and hosts, and builds
local pride and confidence
• Cape Town Declaration, 2002

37. • Ecotourism is a form of sustainable tourism - all forms of
tourism can become more sustainable but not all forms of
tourism can be ecotourism
• "Ecotourism is environmentally responsible travel and
visitation to relatively undisturbed natural areas, in order to
enjoy, study and appreciate nature (and any accompanying
cultural features - both past and present), that promotes
conservation, has low visitor impact, and provides for
beneficially active socio-economic involvement of local
populations"
(Ceballos-Lascurain, 1993).
(The official definition adopted by the IUCN in 1996)

38. • Geotourism is very similar to sustainable
tourism and is a definition brought about by
National Geographic Traveller...
• the concept is the same but they focus on the
'sense of place' in an area rather than the
industry's efforts.

39. • Voluntourism is a form of travel where one
volunteers on projects which give back to the
community.