What is Sustainable Development?
All around us we can see the negative effects of "unsustainable" growth: environmental pollution and degradation; wildlife extinction; as well as many resultant social problems. While we can all recognize these ills, it is difficult to articulate a viable alternative. Sustainable Development is one way of tackling these myriad problems. It is a way of life by which people and organizations can work and live without hurting the environment or dismantling basic moral social structures. Organic agriculture is one of the foundations of this sustainable process, along with the promotion of local knowledge and skills.

Globalization is indeed a fact of today's world. This has for a long time meant that richer countries have been able to exploit the natural and human resources of poorer countries with no apparent consequences. Yet it has become clear to many that problems that exist in a faraway place can also directly affect so-called "Developed" nations. From environmental destruction to global security, problems can no longer be considered merely "local," but have far-reaching consequences.

Education is now at the forefront of the struggle for Sustainability. In Bangladesh, much work has already been done at the local level by NGOs and by valiant individuals. However, institutions of learning also have a responsibility to educate the next generation of industry and social leaders in how to incorporate Sustainable Development into their lives and their businesses. This is why ULAB has initiated the process of setting up the Institute of Sustainable Development.

It is our hope that ISD will become a nodal point of partnership between academe, business, activists and citizens, both nationally and internationally, enabling research and training that will help usher in positive and sustainable change.

*Proposed program