The aim of this course is to introduce the student to the multi-dimensional aspects of sustainable development, by looking at the historical roots and dual goals of sustainable development, and then focusing on current topics to understand how they link to development theory and the discussion how sustainable development can be affected on international, national, and local levels. Beyond  the  technical knowledge   and   skills   of   economic, social   and   environmental   sustainability,   there   remains   a debilitating  gap  in  understanding  how  technical  knowledge  gets,  or doesn’t get,  deployed  and scaled-up into national strategies, and implemented under concrete policies.

This course will develop the students’ ability to

Be exposed to the relevant history of sustainable development and international attempts to address its goals.

Understand and critically discuss important topics and concepts that are intricately linked to environment, human well-being, and sustainable development.

discuss and articulate how sustainable development can be affected on international, national, and local levels.

On successfully completion of this course, the student will be able to:

learn the concept, history and critique of sustainable development, including its significance and difficulties in policy-making contexts;

know how to successfully design and implement integrated SD policies, along with practical policy tools and methodologies, that overcome obstacles and accelerate transitions;

apply those skills to areas most directly relevant to their professional practice in sector focus, political level and scale of mandate.

Introduction and Overview: Effective aid, effective development. Alternative definitions and concepts of sustainability; views about the relationship between development activity and the environment; historical perspectives. Introduction to reflection in Statistics. The view from statistics and from other disciplines; the role of community in development; identifying the constraints to sustainable development; further views of effective development practice.

Global Vision of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): MDGs to SDGs. Introduction to Indicators for Sustainable Development Goals. Explores the development and implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals from a range of theoretical, policy and practical perspectives. Country adoption within an international, domestic and global context.

Analyze on Contemporary Issue: International aid and technological progress, including issues of poverty, food security, healthy lives, quality education, gender equity, water availability, sustainable energy, productive employment, resilient infrastructure, reduction of inequality within and between countries, better human settlements, sustainable production and consumption, climate change action, sustainable use of oceans and terrestrial ecosystems, peaceful and inclusive societies and partnerships for sustainable development.

Data Gap: Identify the data gap within goals, targets and indicators of SDGs. Monitoring and evaluation of SDGs and targets. Information and Knowledge for Sustainable Development. Challenges and actions to be taken at global, regional and national level in implementing SDGs and targets. Role of statistics for achieving SDGs.

1)

Jennifer A. Elliot, (2012). An Introduction to Sustainable Development, 4th Ed, Routledge, Taylor & Francis.

2)

Jonathan M. Harries, (2000). Basic Principles of Sustainable Development, Tuft University, USA. [Rogers]

3)

Willies, K., (2011). Theories and Practices of Development, 2nd ed., Routledge, Taylor & Francis.

4)

Hartmut Bossel, (1999). Indicators for sustainable development: Theory, Method and applications, IISD, Canada.

5)

Data Gap Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Bangladesh Perspective, (2017). General Economics Division (GED), Bangladesh Planning Commission, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. [Monitoring]

6)

Sustainable Development Goals-2030, The United Nations Development Program (UNDP), 2016. [Preparedness]

7)

Acemoglu, D. and Robinson, J.A. (2012). Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Poverty  and Prosperity, New  York. [Planning]

8)

Series Editors: Singh, R.B., Mal, Suraj, Meadows, Michael E., (2017). Sustainable Development Goals Series. [ Varma, Haris]

9)

M.Q. Patton, (2017). Managing for Sustainable Development Goals- An Integrated approach to planning, Monitoring and Evaluation. [Finan, Monkelbaan, Weishaus]