Sustainable development in Libya and the extent of benefiting from the experiences of other countries

Abstract

There is no doubt that the concept of sustainable development has recently received considerable attention, not only from researchers and development experts, but also from governments and relevant international organizations. Taking into account that the concern with development issues continued after the Second World War, development thought has witnessed significant enrichment. The term sustainable development has now become familiar in our linguistic vocabulary. However, the meanings it conveys differ from one person to another. Many believe that sustainable development is the expansion of people’s choices and capabilities through the formation of social capital to meet the needs of the present generations in feasible ways, without compromising the needs of future generations. It also refers to redirecting economic activity to address the urgent developmental needs of states, individuals, and future generations; meeting the needs of the present without undermining the ability of future generations to meet theirs; and testing economic and social development models compatible with appropriate environmental concerns, while preventing negative impacts that may affect the global environment. The term sustainable development is also used to express the pursuit of justice and equity between present and future generations. This means that the processes through which people’s needs are met and satisfied should not jeopardize the ability of upcoming generations to meet and satisfy their own needs.