The concept of "sustainability" for human development has originated during 1970’s in the report of "Limits to growth, published by Club of Rome. The United Nations Conference on the Human Environment (1972) otherwise known as Stockholm Conference (1972) brought the environment and economic development together for human development, which was the first global initiative for sustainable development. The term "sustainable development" becomes popular in 1980’s at World Conservation Strategy report of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN).
In that report the term "sustainable development" was defined as "the integration of conservation and development to ensure that modification to the planet do indeed secure the survival and well being of all people." Followed by the IUCN report the UN General Assembly has established the World Commission on the Environment and Development, which was chaired by Gro Harlem Brundland.
The term "sustainable development" has then entered into the human development institutions after the definition coined by Gro Harlem Brundland which was published in the report of "Our Common Future ", generally known as "the Brundland Report (1987)."
Definition of Sustainable Development is "development which meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs" (Brundland Report, 1987).In the "Earth Summit 1992 ", Rio de Janeiro , the states have agreed on a declaration of 27 principles for sustainable development. The plan of action "Agenda 21," is recommending the development of ; 1. National sustainable development strategies and 2. UN Commission on Sustainable Development. Agenda 21 emphasizes the importance of environmentally sound technologies, education, public awareness and training.
The plan also emphasizes capacity building, which refers to co-operation with developing countries that encourages them to develop human and organizational resources to plan and implement sustainable development. The Earth Summit provides the functionary power to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) for sustainable development activities of the world nations. Capacity 21 of the UNDP is a broad band of action to help the developing countries to formulate the socio - economic and environment and development. Followed by the recommendations, a Sustainable Development Networking Program (SDNP) is established. |
