Editorial

Article Type: Editorial From: International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, Volume 13, Issue 4

The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCED) held in Rio de Janweiro, Brazil on 20-22 June 2012 (also known as Rio+20) ended in widespread disappointment and the sense that an important opportunity had been missed. The outcome document was agreed before leaders even arrived, giving the event the feel of a photo moment rather than a real attempt to push forward the sustainability agenda.

However, despite the feeling that not enough has been achieved since the Earth Summit was held in the same city 20 years ago, the participation of NGOs,academics, students and civil society is a substantial development that was frequently applauded at the conference.

The realisation that the move towards sustainable development must come from business, the education system and civil society is a radical shift that has occurred since the Earth Summit in 1992. The experiences of the past show that new and innovative ways are needed to foster the cause of sustainable development at higher education institutions in a more concrete and, hence, a more meaningful way. This is not to say that the future debate on sustainability needs to be “atheoretical”. A sound theoretical basis for sustainability is and will still be valuable and is a precondition for the successful implementation of sustainability programmes.

Having said that, there is a perceived need for a new, fresh look at the ways we handle sustainable development at universities, since the time for just discussing definitions or conceptual elements has long passed. Much has been achieved and can still be done in respect of fostering sustainability in higher education. Higher education’s contribution is significant in the sense that it cannot only foster sustainability learning in specific contexts, but also guide future decisions where social, economic and ecological aspects may go hand in hand. This journal, devoted to sustainability in higher education, will continue to document experiences in this field and will further influence developments in what is a fast-growing area.

Enjoy your reading!

Walter Leal Filho