Sustainable Development: The Search for the Tipping Point

摘要: The United Nations recently launched the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development. Literature indicates need an authoritative definition sustainable development. Human Development is analyzed through lens Gladwell’s Tipping Point as a framework guiding ethical development practice and instigating changes in human behavior. “We all want to believe that key making impact on someone lies with inherent quality ideas we present” (Gladwell, 2000, p. 131). Author Malcolm Gladwell argues more involved effecting change than simply having good idea. moment sudden when messages take hold alter views from epidemiological perspective. Given “epidemics are function people who transmit infectious agents, agent itself, environment which operating” 18), he posits three basic rules tipping or happen: (a) stickiness factor, wherein memorable packaged make them personal practical; (b) power context, behavior social context can spread by adjusting details immediate environment; (c) law few, very small number – Connectors, Mavens, Salespeople linked everyone else few steps rest us world those special few. Change stated mission UNESCO’s “Decade Development” initiative, March 1, 2005. “The overall goal DESD integrate values into aspects learning encourage allow just society all” (UNESCO, 2005, 5). In order transform this idea reality, educators must be able define development, concept, behaviors leading directly sustainability. tells spark action communicating sticky specific, personal, practical persuasive. purpose paper analyze concept distill its Stickiness Factor, so educators, Few, instigate critical Context: our planet’s poor environmental economic health. Method A review extant literature was used collect data paper. collection procedure search ERIC documents, policy briefs, executive summaries, books, professional journals, well significant websites, including UNESCO. Once these were collected, they placed categories analysis. Interrelated reliability analysis conducted reading re-reading crosschecking keep track common themes patterns evident literature. Historical Theoretical Perspectives Defining 1987, Bruntland Commission defined growth “which meets needs present without compromising ability future generations meet their own needs” (Our Common Future, 43). Used environmentalists call forth inextricably close relationship between activity nature, term has been appropriated economists, industrialists politicians justify global market consolidation neo-conservativism. As Herman Daly observes, although statement “implies something about what ‘sustainable’ means...it does not even try ‘development’” (Daly, 1996, 2). Purposefully broad, provides little direction; since Bruntland, continued emphasis traditional development’s short-term aggregate effects economy, while too attention paid long-term health natural resources. result large-scale inaction irresponsibility (Strong, 2004, 39-40). consensus, UNESCO currently conducting online consultation home page, calling 25 words less (Vision Definition, n.d.). lack sparked debate over underlying exacerbated developmental decision-making. According Nobel Prize-winning economist Amartya Sen, “the growing concern ‘sustainable development’ reflects belief interests should receive same kind generation get” (Anand & 2030). Sen value sustainability universalism–a mandate impartiality–both within generations. “But sustainability–increasingly recognized legitimate–would sense if life opportunities ‘sustained’ miserable indigent” other words, moral significance depends much have now will available future. conception easily expanded “to accommodate claims urgency protection” therefore denotes both Its value, universalism, commands improvement present-day living conditions basis Operationalizing problem operationalizing remains. Members Millennium Project Task Force maintain “unfortunately, of...sustainability provide clear operational guidance choosing policies outcome targets” (Investing, 90). Commissioned UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, Force’s report touted most comprehensive plan ever put forward combating poverty cost-effective blueprint reaching Goals (MDG’s) 2015 (UN, 2005). report, proper capital building; considered ends unto themselves inputs essence authors adopted Capability Approach conceived elucidated him others (Alkire, 2002; Alkire, 2003; Fukuda-Parr, Robeyns, 2003). refers capabilities range options (their capability set), functionings things do achieve them. Necessary include individual freedom democratic discourse, assigns levels importance: direct importance choice regardless results; instrumental liberty thought lead secondary positive constructive educative process