Education for sustainable development involves the acquisitions of attitudes, skills and essential knowledge to the achievement of clear decisions that will have positive consequences, both in short and long term, on collective and personal side.

Since 2005, the Decade for the education for sustainable development wants to integrate values, practices and principles inherent to sustainable development in every aspects of education and learning. To learn more, click here.

''Sustainable development is a development that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs. ''

Brundtland Report, Notre avenir à tous, 1987.

Francesco di Castri, an important figure in sustainable development who participated to the main international conferences on this subject and who has given much thought to this question, concluded that sustainable development is not an end in itself but a process or a way to conduct a project that is environmentally viable, economically efficient and socially acceptable.

For a project to complies with this principle, Di Castri suggests certain winning conditions.

Diversification

Sustainable development requires that we accept to do things differently. Diversification means to test new approaches and to accept the risk to innovate.

Connectivity

Sustainable development does not occur in isolation : it is based on dialogue. Partners must take the time to talk to try to understand each other, to let emerge a common vision and, through it, see the birth of new solidarities. Networking and partnership mean to involve as many people as possible in making decisions and to share the benefits of a project. Knowing that, connectivity means to communicate, gain confidence of stakeholders and exchange information. 

Empowerment

Sustainable development requires initiatives by persons wishing to make a difference. As residents of the Manicouagan region, we must rely on our ability to build a model region of sustainable development and to develop our openness to diversity and dialogue, our perseverance and our effectiveness. Make of our region a model of sustainable development is an invitation to improve ourselves. This is a long term project that will pass through success and resistance.

We have to act in order to set an example and to inspire others by supporting us on achivements that bring pride and prosperity.

Di Castri also mentions that '' the only thing that is sustainable in the history of life is change. '' 

The challenges facing us are large and only our descendants will tell if our development was sustainable. Until then, we have the responsibility to imagine and act.