The Role of Public Institutions

in Sustainable Development
Sustainable Development
What does that really mean,
anyway?

Sustainable Development
Definition
Normative definition:

Development that meets the needs and
aspirations of the current generation
without compromising the ability to meet
those of future generations.
Sustainability
Major components:
Economic
Environmental
Social
Political
Cultural
Economic Sustainability
Must be able to produce goods and
services on a continuing basis
Adequate livelihood or productive assets
Economic security when unemployed, ill,
disabled or otherwise unable to secure a
livelihood
Social Sustainability
Gender equity
Political accountability
Participation
Political Sustainability
Freedom to participate in national and
local politics
Participation in decisions regarding the
management and development of ones
home and neighborhood, with respect for
civil and political rights and in the
implementation of environmental
legislation


Environmental Sustainability
Must maintain a stable resource base
avoiding overexploitation of renewable
resource systems and depleting non-
renewable resources
Cultural Sustainability
A means to achieve a more satisfactory
intellectual, emotional, moral, and spiritual
existence



Key Actors in Sustainable
Developement

Sustainable
Development
Civil
Society
Government/
Public Ins.
Busine
ss
The Role of Public Institutions
Address the economic, social and
environmental dimensions in a balanced
manner;
Adopt integrated planning across sectors
as much as possible (integrated planning,
horizontal coordination, coherence/
consistency);

Continued..
Consider the interest of future
generations;
Strive to meaningfully engage all
relevant stakeholders in decision-
making processes,
maintaining an effective balance
between top-down and bottom-up
processes (participation);
Continued.
Strive to improve access to information
and access to justice.
Seven Guiding Principles of the
Role of Public Institutions in SD
1. Partnerships
Alliances among all stakeholders/ partners are
established for collective responsibility,
decision making and planning.

2. Participation and Transparency
All major sectors of society are directly involved in
sustainable development planning, and all
information that relates to the planning process
is easily available
Continued
3. Systemic Approach
Solutions address underlying causes and whole
systems

4. Concern for the Future
Sustainable development plans and actions
address short and long-term trends and needs.

5. Accountability
All stakeholders/partners are accountable for their
actions.
Continued.

6. Equity and Justice
Economic development must be equitable,
environmentally sound and socially just.

7. Ecological Limits
All communities must learn to live within the earth's
carrying capacity.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS