CAPACITY BUILDING FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

A judicious balance between meeting the needs and expectations of the present generation of people without jeopardizing the quality of the environment, or the ability to meet the needs of future generations, will be the ideal situation that may ensure sustainability. Such a scenario assumes that the society is able to cope with any unforeseen challenges that may place severe constraints on resource requirements. Such challenges may be due to man made or natural disasters and changes in consumption habits. The challenges faced are thus to ensure that there is sustainability, of not only resource use, but also improvements of the resource base so that future challenges are met with ease. The capacity to do so will depend on the ability to monitor and assess resource requirements, and respond effectively without undue social or environmental strain. Development across the globe has resulted in ever rising expectations and struggles to meet requirements. These efforts are addressed by various social institutions. Primary among these is the government. Other institutions are family, community organizations, law and its enforcement agencies, media, education, etc. These institutions are both local and external and the latter can be within the country as well as international. Acute poverty and inequalities undermine peace and affects sustainable development. Ensuring human security with adequate supply of food, water and livelihoods to all people are considered essential and is a collective responsibility of all nations. Increasing population and changing consumption patterns which are inequitably distributed adds strain to the international community. Population growth in developing countries may exceed their carrying capacity. The consumption patterns of the developed countries also seem to exceed global capacities. A healthy environment is a pre-requisite to good health and is directly related to sustainability. Judicious management of resources through capable institutions is imperative. Protecting the environment will entail addressing issues affecting the atmosphere, land use, deforestation, desertification, mountain development, agriculture, biodiversity, biotechnology, ocean and fresh water management as well as safe use of toxic chemicals. All these issues are addressed by different social institutions distributed from the international to local levels. Human interventions are carried out at different levels namely, family, community, regions, national as well as global. These institutions not only act on their own capacity but link up and form networks to carry out their functions. The capacity of the institutions to deal with the challenges depends on the skills, work culture, standards, and resource base. Local and global initiatives help develop institutional capacity. Such interventions need to be done at the individual level which will entail skill development and at the organizational level, developing and institutionalizing work norms and standards. Developing the external institutional environment which includes the policy framework, legal systems, communication facilities, training and education systems, and inter organizational working relationships are also required. At an organizational level, capacity building for effective interventions to ensure sustainable development of biospheres will require a holistic approach, considering human needs. Such an approach will include strategic planning, human resource management, networking, professionalising and ensuring a conducive institutional environment for development of individuals, environmental groups and other stakeholder groups so that all interact with a shared vision for sustainable global development. AN