Role of education in ensuring sustainable development

Author: 
Mazhar Shamsi Ansary and Santosh Kumar Behera

“The highest education is that which does not merely give us information but makes our life in harmony with all existence”
- Rabindranath Tagore
Education for sustainable development is now trending slogan of this era. Sustainable development is the development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. ESD is based on ideals and principles that underline sustainability such as intergenerational equity, gender equity, social tolerance, poverty alleviation, environmental preservation and restoration. A core principle behind sustainable development is a combination of economic, social and environment conditions. Education is recognised as a major tool to change societies, consequently it is necessary to make education into a constructive tool by creating awareness among students. The link between education and development are seen in both directions. Nevertheless, it requires equilibrium to avoid detrimental effects and lead the world to a sustainable path. It was internationally recognised that SD can be achieved through a process of learning. Therefore, education needs to be enhanced to lead the world to a more sustainable way of living.

The present paper focuses on the concept of sustainable development, and the various roles of education in ensuring sustainable development.

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DOI: 
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.24327/ijcar.2017.6517.0956
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