Participation is the key
The Goal of Sustainable Development in Society
"Sustainable development is a dynamic process which enables all people to realise their potential, and to improve their quality of life, in ways which simultaneously protect and enhance the Earth's life support systems.”
This often-quoted statement originates from the British “Forum for the Future”. It points out the fact that the three parts of sustainable development, namely environment, economy and society, are of equal importance.
Throughout history, the vast majority of inhabitant of our planet had to struggle hard to survive from one day to the next. With the advent of modern science and technology today about five out of the six billion people living on earth are living no longer in outright poverty and many of them in prosperity.
For the question of sustainable development this has two contradictory results: First, without the introduction of new technologies the increase in prosperity leads to higher consumption levels of resources and higher levels of pollution.
Second, the better education and standard of living allows it the members of a society "to realise their potential", i.e. to pursue their interests, to be a successful member of the society, to help to bring along a peaceful and prosperous future by participating in the society.
Principle 10 of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development signed in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, accordingly establishes that:
"Environmental issues are best handled with the participation of all concerned citizens, at the relevant level. At the national level, each individual shall have appropriate access to information concerning the environment that is held by public authorities, including information on hazardous materials and activities in their communities, and the opportunity to participate in decision-making processes. States shall facilitate and encourage public awareness and participation by making information widely available. Effective access to judicial and administrative proceedings, including redress and remedy, shall be provided".
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