The Green Islands Foundation (GIF) was registered in April 2006 with
the objective of bridging the gap between private sector operations and
national environmental initiatives as a means of mainstreaming
sustainable development.
The most widely recognised definition of sustainable development originates from the Brundtland Report[1]:
"Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It contains within it two key concepts:
· the concept of needs, in particular the essential needs of the world's poor, to which overriding priority should be given; and
· the idea of limitations imposed by the state of technology and social organization on the environment's ability to meet present and future needs."
Despite this definition being generally recognised it does of course leave considerable leeway for interpretation (and some might say abuse). The ongoing work under the Rio Conventions and the UNCED/WSSD process continue to refine and attempt to realise different aspects of sustainability – but still many would argue that sustainability as per the above definition is impossible to obtain, or at least that “the goalposts” - as it were - are continually moving.
Sustainable development is conceptualised as being built on three pillars relating to economic development, human welfare and environmental management – and the finding of a balance between these three perceived necessities.
The current global and Seychelles’ national economic crisis therefore puts the pursuit of sustainable development at risk due to the likely skewing of priorities towards the economic to the detriment of sound environmental management. Plus of course struggling families will typically look more to the environment as a direct source of revenue and sustenance placing greater pressure on natural resources.
GIF looks to promote the mainstreaming of sustainable development in the Seychelles’ context by working with private sector operations in the country’s main economic sectors i.e. tourism, fisheries and production landscapes. GIF is working with Denis Island on a five-year programme in the pursuit of sustainable development (for more information go to: http://denisisland.blogspot.com ). The approach taken in this work is one of a process of improvement: assessing standards, setting targets to improve upon the status quo and moving forward... always looking to lessen environmental impact whilst fostering human well-being and options for diversified development. So to misquote that horrible business-speak cliché “it’s more about the journey than the destination”.
I hope very soon to be able to post on a new initiative that GIF is seeking to undertake in the domain of fisheries in the granitic islands – so do check back.
[1] World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED). Our common future. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1987.
The most widely recognised definition of sustainable development originates from the Brundtland Report[1]:
"Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It contains within it two key concepts:
· the concept of needs, in particular the essential needs of the world's poor, to which overriding priority should be given; and
· the idea of limitations imposed by the state of technology and social organization on the environment's ability to meet present and future needs."
Despite this definition being generally recognised it does of course leave considerable leeway for interpretation (and some might say abuse). The ongoing work under the Rio Conventions and the UNCED/WSSD process continue to refine and attempt to realise different aspects of sustainability – but still many would argue that sustainability as per the above definition is impossible to obtain, or at least that “the goalposts” - as it were - are continually moving.
Sustainable development is conceptualised as being built on three pillars relating to economic development, human welfare and environmental management – and the finding of a balance between these three perceived necessities.
The current global and Seychelles’ national economic crisis therefore puts the pursuit of sustainable development at risk due to the likely skewing of priorities towards the economic to the detriment of sound environmental management. Plus of course struggling families will typically look more to the environment as a direct source of revenue and sustenance placing greater pressure on natural resources.
GIF looks to promote the mainstreaming of sustainable development in the Seychelles’ context by working with private sector operations in the country’s main economic sectors i.e. tourism, fisheries and production landscapes. GIF is working with Denis Island on a five-year programme in the pursuit of sustainable development (for more information go to: http://denisisland.blogspot.com ). The approach taken in this work is one of a process of improvement: assessing standards, setting targets to improve upon the status quo and moving forward... always looking to lessen environmental impact whilst fostering human well-being and options for diversified development. So to misquote that horrible business-speak cliché “it’s more about the journey than the destination”.
I hope very soon to be able to post on a new initiative that GIF is seeking to undertake in the domain of fisheries in the granitic islands – so do check back.
[1] World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED). Our common future. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1987.
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