REPORT OF UNESCO EXPERT MEETING ON - APCEIU

As well known to all concerned people about ESD, the original concept of sustainable development has a
long rooted history discussed at the UN Conference on Human Environment held in Stockholm in 1972.
The beginning of 1970 was the time that the worldwide public faced the serious difficulties to imagine the
future society, with the great concern about the rapid growth of world population and the disruption of the
environment by the progress of industrialization in the world after the Second World War.
Some major points can be drawn from the Declaration on Human Environment.
(http://www.unep.prg/Documents.multilinguial/Default.asp?DocumentID=97&ArticleID=1501&1=en) In
the “Preamble” of the Declaration, it states the need for a common outlook and for common principles to
inspire and guide the peoples of the world in the preservation and enhancement of the human environment.
It is well known from this statement that the core interest of the Conference was on the preservation of the
human environment. Another point of remarks is, firstly, the recognition to protect and improve the
environment for present and future generation. The Chapter 1 of the Principles of the Declaration states as
following. “Man has the fundamental right to freedom, equality and adequate conditions of life, in an
environment of a quality that permits a life of dignity and well-being, and bears a solemn responsibility to
protect and improve the environment for present and future generations.” The Declaration Ch.3 clarified the
following disturbing elements. (1) dangerous levels or pollution in water, air, earth and living beings; (2)
major and undesirable disturbances to the ecological balance of the biosphere; (3) destruction and depletion
of irreplaceable resources; and the gross deficiencies harmful to the physical, mental and social health of
man, in the man-made environment, particularly in the living and working environment. It must be noted
that the Declaration expected the economic and social development is essential for ensuring a favourable
living and working environment for man and for improvement of the quality of life. (Ch.8 of the Principles.)
It also expected the planning must be applied to human settlements and urbanisation with view to avoiding
adverse effects on the environment and obtaining maximum social, economic and environmental benefits
for all. (Ch.9 of Principle)
Having read the Declaration, it is well understood that it displayed very clearly not only the outline of
Agenda 21 by Rio Earth Summit in 1992, but also the general concept of sustainable development. It is the
original message for three aspects of SD as social, environmental and economic development presented in
Agenda 21.
4. UN Conference on Environment and Development (1992)
- Specifying the Goals of Sustainable Development –
It might be said that the world community accepted the concept of sustainable development (SD) at the UN
Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 after 20 year so UN
Conference of Human Environment held in Stockholm in 1972.
It is well known by the public that the Agenda 21 was adopted in the conference as the action plan to be
tackled by the States and Governments of the world in order to fulfillment of sustainable development in the
beginning of 21 Century. Needless to say, it was the Agenda 21 that demonstrated the concepts and contents
of Sustainable Development in the revolution of the idea of Sustainable Development. The followings are
the major parts of Chapters.
(http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/documents/agenda21/english/agenda21toc.htm)
The Chapters 2 to 8 clearly describe the social and economic dimensions as follows;
(2) International cooperation to accelerate sustainable development in developing countries and related
domestic policies;
(3) Combating poverty;
(4) Changing consumption patterns;
(5) Demographic dynamics and sustainability;
(6) Protecting and promoting human health conditions;
(7) Promoting sustainable human settlement development;
(8) Integrating environment and development in decision-making.
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