Research Paper on Sustainable Development: Meeting Current Needs Without Compromising Future Generations

Introduction

The concept of sustainable development emerged due to needing to respond to a growing impact of human societies on the natural environment. Sustainable development can be defined as the development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (Franck and Osbeck, 2017). This definition holds that efforts and strategies to meet the current human needs and improve quality of life should be done in a way that it protects the future generation's interests through the protection of the natural resources and environment, to enable future earth's ability to regenerate. The concepts of sustainable development are clearly stated on the Agenda 21, which is the Action Program for the 21st century drafted at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (also called Earth Summit) in 1992 by various governments. The main agenda of the conference was to promote the three pillars of sustainable development, for example, economy, society, and environment, as interdependent and mutually reinforcing concepts (United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, 1992).

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Education for Sustainability Development refers to educational changes in skills, knowledge, and attitudes to promote sustainable growth and just for all the society members. The main aim of education for sustainable development is to empower and equip the current and future generation economic, social, and environmental approach using an integrated approach of sustainable development (Franck and Osbeck, 2017). Thus, it is essential to ensure that everybody is educated without any discrimination either based on gender, race, tribe or family background for every person has their role and importance in the society provided they are all given the same opportunities and education.

Anti-Discrimination Education

As a united society, if we want to achieve sustainable development and growth, first of all, we have to fight the disease of discrimination in our learning institutions. Education is the only secret weapon and tool to develop any nation's economy, society, and environment; hence it is the responsibility of each individual to learn about discrimination in education in all its facets. Over the past decades, a lot of efforts have been made in a bid to curb discrimination in higher institutions of learning. However, most students are still facing a completely different reality of what is perceived in the papers and most of the higher institution's policies and values. This is unacceptable and needs to be changed (Leal and Pace, 2016). The education protagonists recognize the importance of introducing the aspect of diversity in higher education and society in general, since diversity enriches the educational and societal experience. However, the main problem now is to find a way of tackling the reality of discrimination and discriminative structures in higher institutions of learning.

It is important to note that discrimination is present in all walks of life, and it does not stop by entering the classroom. While some forms of discrimination are direct, some of them are indirect and very difficult to detect, especially when they are deeply embedded in the very basis of the education system and daily, creating systematic oppression to a specific group of people. The following are some of the examples of different forms of educational discrimination; however, they are not the complete forms as there are numerous forms of discrimination I higher institutions of learning.

Most students face discrimination based on their religious beliefs. This can happen through disrespectful behaviors, verbal and physical violence towards particulars students because of their beliefs. Some universities adopt a string approach towards religious holidays, which often leads to them not being respected, and most students are even forced to attend the institution's programs still. Most students are not free to practice their religion, and especially to those who are from minority religions whose faith is not taken into account or respected by the system (Leal and Pace, 2016).

Racism and xenophobia are still rampant in the higher institutions all over America and other parts of the world. The feeling of being a white and black student is still thriving, and ethnic minorities are still stigmatized. In some institution, the tuition fees have to vary depending on the student's color, and the priority being given to the white students differ from the black students. All this is decreasing their chances and opportunities to access higher education in the first place.

Access to education for people with disabilities is complicated. For example, the lame, mute, deaf, and mentally challenged people are the ones being affected most, as their needs are not being met. For example, lack of interpreter, inaccessible buildings, unfavorable teaching methods, and learning materials and other essential requirements. Mental health is another aspect of life that has led to lots of depression to many students because they are often being isolated and never given a chance to access treatment and education. Therefore, students with mental health problems or other invisible disabilities often do not get the necessary adjustments or help through support structures required to help them successfully finish their education.

Gender is the main problem in most of the learning institutions. Ladies often face sexual harassment from both the school staff and fellow students from their campuses. Women are never given the same opportunities and priorities as gentlemen since they are considered to be of low importance or productive compared to men. This has hindered the chance of most women being educated as men.

Socio-economic status is still one of the major hindrances to learning in colleges. Most students go to school to change their economic background, although this, in most cases, does not happen since a higher institution does not recognize, their socio-economic background. Most courses require the students to invest a large amount of money, and this may lead to school drop out to less fortunate students. While education is a significant factor that determines the future economic prospects f a person, the reverse is also true in higher institutions.

Ways of Anti-Education Discrimination

The very first step towards curbing discrimination in education is by creating awareness for students and teachers. They both need to understand, different races, socio-economic status, gender, less privileged, and privileged groups. This will help them to accept every person from different backgrounds and experience the world differently. Higher professional teachers who understand how to teach their students about diversity and multiculturalism should be hired. The more often students and even adults are trained on the dangers of being discriminative the less likely they can discriminate. So, to minimize prejudice and discrimination between different groups, schools need to start emphasizing and endorsing inclusion and equality. There need to be actual consequences for those who disobey the rules, like anti-discrimination training or some social equality workshop.

Discrimination often makes people disbelieve and isolate themselves and even lose the urge to pursue education. For example, girls are prone to gender discrimination, hence coming up with girl scholarship will encourage many girls to continue with their studies and stop believing in the stereotypes of what they hear from their discriminators. Finally, every right of an individual is contained in the constitution of the country, which bars anybody from being discriminated in the form of race, sex, nationality, age, disability, and color. Hence, legal laws can serve as a perfect way to help curb issues of education discrimination (Leiter, 2011).

Conclusion

In conclusion, education is, in every sense, an essential factor of development in every nation. No country can ever grow or develop without having better human capital with the necessary skills and knowledge. Education improves people's understanding of themselves, their productivity, creativity, entrepreneurship and technological advances. It also plays a significant role in better economic, social and income distribution. Hence, each person should be given a chance to learn to the highest level, for equitable and sustainable development, since education is essential to every successful life and country's welfare.

References

Franck, O., & In Osbeck, C. (2017). Ethical literacies and education for sustainable development: Young people, subjectivity, and democratic participation.

Leal, F. W., & In Pace, P. (2016). Teaching Education for Sustainable Development at University Level.

Leiter, W. M. (2011). Affirmative action in antidiscrimination law and policy: An overview and synthesis. Albany: State University of New York Press.

United Nations Conference on Environment and Development. (1992). Nations of the Earth report: United Nations Conference on Environment and Development: national reports summaries. Geneva: United Nations.