The 1992 Rio Declaration from the World Conference on Environmental and Development began by stating:

Human beings are at the centre of concerns for sustainable development. They are entitled to a healthy and productive life in harmony with nature.

Progress towards sustainability requires that the growing global awareness of social, economic and environmental issues is transformed into understanding of root causes and that local, national and global visions of what it means to live and work sustainably are developed.
Thus, achieving the goals of sustainable development requires widespread community education and a responsible media committed to encouraging an informed and active citizenry.  
Education as the foundation of sustainable development was reaffirmed at the Johannesburg Summit. The Plan of Implementation establishes the linkages between the universal primary education for both boys and girls, but especially girls.  The creation of a gender-sensitive education system at all levels and of all types – formal, non-formal and informal – to reach the underserved is emphasized as a crucial component of education for sustainable development. Education is recognized as a tool for addressing important questions such as rural development, health care, community involvement, HIV/AIDS, the environment, and wider ethical/legal issues such as human values and human rights.

There is no universal model of education for sustainable development. While there will be overall agreement on the concept, there will be nuanced differences according to local contexts, priorities and approaches. Each country has to define its own priorities and actions. The goals, emphases and processes must, therefore, be locally defined to meet the local environmental, social and economic conditions in culturally appropriate ways. Education for sustainable development is equally relevant and critical for both developed and developing countries.  

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© 2002 POP SUSTAINABILITY