WHAT IS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT?
A Conceptual Framework For Sustainable Development
he World Commission on Environment and Development
(WCED), in its report "our Common Future" published
in 1987, defines sustainable development as "meeting the
needs of the present generation without compromising the ability
of the future generations to meet their own needs".
While sustainable development derives its meaning
from the global discourse, its application must be rooted in the
context of national realities and aspirations. The Philippine
Agenda 21's concept of development is grounded on both an image
and a shared vision of the Filipino society. It recognizes the
key actors in sustainable development as the government, business
and civil society and the functional differentiation of modern
society into three realms--economy (where the key actor is business),
polity (where the key actor is government) and culture (where
the key actor is civil society). The three realms are interacting,
dynamic and complementary components of an integral whole.
Thus, the essence of sustainable development is in
the harmonious integration of a sound and viable economy, responsible
governance, social cohesion/harmony and ecological integrity to
ensure that development is a life-enhancing process. The ultimate
aim of development is human development now and through future
generations.
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