Concepts of Sustainable Development; a Literature Review and a Systematic Framework for Connecting the Role of Education with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Patricia Ikouta Mazza, J Drexhage, D Murphy, Unesco, A Boggia, C Cortina
Abstract
Sustainable development has been in the center of interest both in academic literature and in various countries" national development plans. The concept of sustainable development arises from a new worldview, which believes that survival, continued progress, and maintenance of the human community depends on the continued health and viability of the earth"s life support systems. The most essential point to sustainable development is the realization that economic growth alone is not enough to solve the world"s problems: economic, social, and environmental aspects of any action are interconnected. Considering only one of these at a time, leads to errors in judgment and "unsustainable" outcomes. Focusing only on profit margins, for example, has historically led to social and environmental damages that cost society in the long run. Sustainable Development grew from numerous environmental movements and non-governmental organizations, in earlier decades, and was defined in 1987 by the World Commission on Environment and Development (Brundtland Commission 1987). The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted at the 70th General Assembly of the United Nations, in 2015 and sets 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).One of these goals, SDG 4is the education goal, and it aims to "ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all."This paper reviews the conceptual history of "sustainable development", from 1987 up today. The goal of this study is to propose a framework for understanding the dimensions of sustainable development and to provide a framework for connecting the role of Education with the SDGs of Agenda 2030.