World Sustainable Development Outlook 2008

"The World Sustainable Development Outlook series has been developed to provide an overview of sustainable development, to discuss why it is important and to provoke forward thinking on the development of a more coherent approach to solving global problems related to sustainability through science and technology. In doing so, a holistic approach is used to critically examine the interrelationship between the natural, governmental, economic and social dimensions of our world and how science and technology can contribute to solutions. This is a truly global source book, which is reflected in the varied national and cultural origins of the contributors, as well as the topics and case studies covered. Each year a different theme will be covered.World Sustainable Development Outlook 2008 presents the proceedings of the 2008 International Conference of World Association for Sustainable Development (WASD). The *problematique* of managing Science Technology and Innovation (STI) for SD is strongly influenced by the institutional culture in which international discussions have taken place. Successful management of STI in the new millennium requires developing new methods and approaches to suit the challenges and opportunities of this new era of information revolution. These new approaches call for actions to create different appropriate ways of doing things that will be essential to solve our future problems. Systematic search for opportunities is important for helping to ameliorate the many problems facing the globe. We must therefore produce, consume and organise ourselves differently. The conference will therefore provide a framework for understanding and acting upon different proposed solutions and consensuses, taking into account a variety of international, institutional and intellectual perspectives. The eleven main sections include: Science, technology and innovation; Knowledge management and education; Sustainable and indigenous development; Ecotourism and natural resources management; Real estate for economic development; Gender studies and development; Transport studies and management; Accounting, economics and finance; Business and management; Globalisation, international business and trade; Marketing and e-commerceIt is hoped that the ensemble of papers presented in this volume will help to stimulate debate amongst scholars, researchers and policymakers and that you find this volume interesting and thought-provoking."--Provided by publisher.

This volume explores global viewpoints on the role of science and technology in solving global problems related to sustainability. The aim is to address growing concerns for the future of our interlocked ecological, political and economic systems in a highly populated world that is characterized by major social and economic disparities. The papers presented in this volume cover a wide geographical spectrum and different research areas. The eleven main sections include: Science, Technology and Innovation; Knowledge Management and Education; Sustainable and Indigenous Development; Ecotourism and Natural Resources Management; Real Estate for Economic Development; Gender Studies and Development; Transport Studies and Management; Accounting, Economics and Finance; Business and Management; Globalization, International Business and Trade; Marketing and E-Commerce.

�The World Sustainable Development Outlook series has been developed to provide an overview of sustainable development, to discuss why it is important and to provoke forward thinking on the development of a more coherent approach to solving global problems related to sustainability through science and technology. In doing so, a holistic approach is used to critically examine the interrelationship between the natural, governmental, economic and social dimensions of our world and how science and technology can contribute to solutions. This is a truly global source book, which is reflected in the varied national and cultural origins of the contributors, as well as the topics and case studies covered. Each year a different theme will be covered.Outlook 2012 includes a selection of the best papers presented during the 10th International Conference of WASD held in Abu Dhabi City, United Arab Emirates in November 2012. The conference aims to enable participants (academics, government officials and policy makers) to share their expertise and knowledge around the fields of change management, innovation and knowledge management and the role of leadership in engaging organizations and preparing them for a sustainable future. It is hoped that this book will help to stimulate debate amongst scholars, researchers and policy-makers. The main parts of the book are: Business and management, Entrepreneurship studies, Innovation and services, Knowledge management, Education and learning, Information and communication technologies, Science and technology, Public health research, Transportation and sustainability, Renewable energy, climate change and environmental sustainability, Local and regional sustainable economic development, Public policy and sustainable development.

The World Sustainable Development Outlook series has been developed to provide an overview of sustainable development, to discuss why it is important and to provoke forward thinking on the development of a more coherent approach to solving global problems related to sustainability through science and technology. In doing so, a holistic approach is used to critically examine the interrelationship between the natural, governmental, economic and social dimensions of our world and how science and technology can contribute to solutions. This is a truly global source book, which is reflected in the varied national and cultural origins of the contributors, as well as the topics and case studies covered. Each year a different theme will be covered. The theme of World Sustainable Development Outlook 2007 is the different dimensions of knowledge and technology management in the new era of information revolution and how they relate to sustainable development. Rapid innovation in information and communication technologies (ICTs) is clearly reshaping the world we live in. Countries are increasingly judged by whether they are information-rich or information-poor. It is estimated that 30–40% of the world's economic growth and 40–50% of all new jobs will be IT-driven. Education and knowledge are the chief currencies of the modern age, and can also be a strategic resource and a lifeline for sustainable development. Yet, in Africa, millions of people have never made a telephone call. The technological gulf between developed and developing countries (DCs) is likely to widen further with the rapid expansion of the internet and the speedy transition to digitalisation in the West. The impacts on DCs may include an increase in the so-called brain drain and growing dependence on foreign aid of a different kind – knowledge aid. There are fears that knowledge imperialism is already with us. What is clear is that most of the technological innovations in ICTs are Western-designed and fail to address the needs of the most disadvantaged. The interest of industrialised countries in the use of ICTs in DCs has largely been more concerned with the profitability of their own business enterprises than with any broader goals concerning the development of the host countries. DCs face the challenge of either becoming an integral part of the knowledge-based global economy or the very real danger of finding themselves on the wrong side of the digital divide. Successful management in the new millennium requires developing new methods and approaches to meet the challenges and opportunities of this information revolution while at the same time fostering sustainable development. Adopting a holistic approach, this book aims to critically examine the interrelationship between these different issues in order to reach solutions and a consensus for a better future, taking into account a variety of international, institutional and intellectual perspectives. It uses case and country studies in technological innovation and experience so that lessons in effective management of ICTs can be learned from successful initiatives, ideas and innovations.

'Global Monitoring Report 2008', the fifth in an annual series, is essential reading for those who wish to follow the global development agenda and debate in 2008. The year marks the midpoint toward the 2015 deadline for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). It is also an important year to work toward a consensus on how the world is going to respond to the challenge of climate change, building on the foundation laid at the Bali climate change conference in December 2007. The report spans this agenda. It provides a comprehensive assessment of progress toward the MDGs and related policies and actions. It addresses the challenge of climate change and environmental sustainability and assesses its implications for development. The report's assessment of MDGs at midpoint presents a mixed picture, one of both significant progress and formidable challenges. The first MDG, reducing extreme poverty by half, is likely to be met at the global level, thanks to a remarkable surge in global economic growth over the past decade. But, on current trends, the human development MDGs are unlikely to be met. Prospects are gravest for the goals of reducing child and maternal mortality, but shortfalls are also likely in the primary school completion. nutrition, and sanitation MDGs. The potential effects of climate change compound the challenge of achieving the development goals and sustaining progress. The report's messages are clear: urgent action is needed to help the world get back on track to achieve the MDGs; and urgent action is also needed to combat climate change that threatens the well-being of all countries, but particularly of poor countries and poor people. The goals of development and environmental sustainability are closely related, and the paths to those goals have important synergies.

The Global Outlook on Financing for Sustainable Development 2021 calls for collective action to address both the short-term collapse in resources of developing countries as well as long-term strategies to build back better following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.