Sustainable Development Forum

I was invited to share with audience on the challenges facing the sustainable development programmes implementation in a forum organised by Justlife at Ikano Power Centre yesterday. Other speakers include YB Elizabeth Wong, Selangor Exco for Environment, Mr Jeffrey Phang, co-chairman of Friends of Kota Damansara and Ms Lucy Liu, Project Director of Sustainable City in Janda Baik. General consensus amongst the speakers are changes have to come from within every individual if sustainable development is to achieve the desire result. We also agreed that plenty of existing programmes but more need to be done and refine especially to enhance coordination amongst the NGO so that greater impact can be achieved. While economic and legislative instruments such as imposing polluter pay or user pay policies are importnat, capacity building especially on awareness raising, acquisition of knowledge and skills are equally crucial. I made a point that software development is important to educate people to change towards sustainability rather than implementing something that is hard but unacceptable by all stakeholders. I also cautioused the audience on the adverse effects on promoting "deep green" by sacrifying the interest of social and economic development by elaborating some examples. I also challenged the audience that while having passion in protecting the environment and pursuing a specific cause, we have also need to involve ourselves along the long process of developmental planning. More than often we see people drop out half way after learning that the only cause they are finding no more valid and prefer to stay sideline regarding other matter. As a whole, it is feel good sentiment that Selangor State Government is working proactively on the issues of sustainability. These include preservation of forest, ensuring effective public participation in development planning, in collaborating NGO and professional bodies representatives in the local council. Listening the pledge and feedback from the audience, i am now optimistic about Local Agenda 21 movement in Malaysia.