The Idea of Sustainable Development and the Possibilities of Its Interpretation and Implementation

Abstract

In the publication, the authors put forward a thesis about the low social understanding of the essence of the idea of sustainable development (SD), its assumptions, and difficulties with its implementation. This thesis became the starting point for research on contemporary problems related to the understanding and implementation of the idea of SD in Poland and an inspiration to look at Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). The aim of the study was to get to know the opinions of experts on the statutory definition of SD and social awareness of this idea, and then to relate these opinions to the state of knowledge of students, as well as their opinions and attitudes towards SD. Primary data obtained in the course of surveys among 105 Polish experts (employees of universities, research institutes, government and local government units) and 844 students from several Polish university centres were used. The obtained results indicated gaps in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and the related very diverse and often misinterpreted concept of SD, which seems to be one of the key barriers to the implementation of SD in local life.