Education to Enable Sustainable Economic Development

Sustainable development has been widely discussed in the economic and political debate for the past 20 years, but practical, sustainable measures are still lacking. This fact poses a serious challenge to governments as they strive to balance the demand for natural and social resources while ensuring economic progress and risking severe environmental degradation. The urgent need for an economically sustainable development model raises essential questions, such as integrating education into business models and government policies. Education plays a vital role in sustainable development, as recognised by the United Nations. Technological solutions alone are insufficient; our society requires a shift in thinking and behaviour towards sustainable lifestyles and consumption patterns, which can only be achieved through education. However, we face a significant dilemma as current educational models seem to prioritise the interests of the political and business elite over socio-economic and environmental needs. In this paper, we critically assess the role of education in fostering economic sustainability and inclusive development. We conclude that education can play a critical role in achieving the United Nations 2030 Agenda and he Sustainable Development Goals. We argue that our education system should prioritise the well-being of humanity, challenging the prevailing focus on profit maximisation and economic growth as currently understood. Therefore, we need to reevaluate the meaning of growth and reconsider how economic elements should be approached.