Hi, Chris. As you can see, I'm slowly catching up on OLD e-mails!
On 3 Oct 2005, at 15:50, C Shiel wrote:
> I am really interested in hearing any comments about Ron Barnett's
> presentation. How do we get on with the 'tricky business' of unpacking
> the
> concepts? I have just been looking at the HEFCE Sustainable
> Development in
> HE Policy statement and it seems that they too got into the tangle of
> definition and multiple perspectives.
I disagree with Ron's definition of sustainability, as I don't believe
it's just 'physical'. The Brundtland Report states sustainable
development as: Development which meets the needs of the present
without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their
needs.
It is widely recognised that this entails environmental, economic AND
social issues. So, within that, it could be argued, is global
citizenship. Perhaps we have a responsibility, under sustainability, to
understand future generations' (which does not imply a narrow
geographical interpretation) needs.
>
> On another note, Forum for the Future has developed the notion
> of 'sustainability literacy'. I have my own views of this particular
> term
> but I would be keen to hear what ohers think of the notion of
> 'literacy' in
> this context.
Of course, some people think there is a big difference between
sustainability and sustainable development. Some people think the
former implies keeping the status quo going, while the latter does not.
I disagree though as I don't think the status quo IS sustainable, so
the minute you try to achieve sustainability, you'll see that things
have to change.
Other people think sustainable development is an oxymoron, but I think
that's true only if we look at development too narrowly (more roads,
'normal' buildings, etc.) and ignore *human* development.
So I would say I have no problem with either term. And I like the term
literacy.
Any other thoughts?
Happy New Year!
heather
Heather Witham
Education for Sustainable Development Project Manager
Economics Network of the Higher Education Academy
ILRT, University of Bristol
8-10 Berkeley Square
Bristol BS8 1HH
http://www.economicsnetwork.ac.uk
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