The Tribune

By Rev Angela C Bosfield Palacious

THE definition of sustainable development offered by the Bruntland Commission is: "Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

This requires a delicate balance between conservation and expansion.

When it comes to sustainable economic development, each island has to determine the unique niche with which it is blessed. An island such as Inagua may consider wind and solar energy production, the growth of drought-tolerant cash crops such as dates, coconuts, cacti, fish farming, maritime related activities, more trade with neighbouring countries, and the exploration of minerals from the sea apart from salt which is the main source of employment at the moment.

What are some goals to consider when it comes to sustainable personal development?

1. Education

Our students need to focus on their academic, athletic, musical and other abilities in order to learn as much as possible at the age when the brain is like a sponge. Adults also can concentrate on learning something new every day. Ask yourself: What is my educational goal?

2. Employment

Now is the time to advise students on job possibilities to ensure that they are taking the required subjects in school. Those who need to be retrained would do well to consider options available in areas where persons have to be hired from outside the country, or where predictions indicate current trends. Ask yourself: What is my current or future employment goal?

3. Health

Considering nutrition, exercise, water consumption, rest and relaxation as essential ingredients to have as a recipe for physical well-being means an intentional effort has to be from the earliest age to have the proper balance. Ask yourself: What is my health goal?

4. Relationships

Let us consider several types of relationships and some of the qualities that need to be brought to bear on them.

• A good friendship needs to be based on honesty, kindness, trustworthiness and good listening skills. How good a friend are you? Who do you consider to be good friends and how do you treat each other? What changes need to be made if bringing out the best in each other is the primary goal?

• A romantic friendship moves to another level with the addition of qualities such as commitment, affection, forgiveness and love in even greater quantities.

• A sustainable marriage ought to possess all of the above with emphasis also placed on: time and money management, good communication, mutual respect, harmonious relations with extended family and in-laws, clear expectations, compatible goals and dreams, good parenting skills, supportive friends, a knowledge of love languages and clear ideas about matters relating to spirituality, sexuality, and fidelity among others. This is truly a question of life-long learning, bearing in mind that we are changing all the time. What are our relational goals?

5. Faith

When it comes to our relationship with God this also involves paying attention to sustainable spiritual development in order to be a person of prayer, study, witness, service, praise, and one who tithes. It is a matter of making time and space for God. Study men in the Bible like Elijah, Jacob, Moses, the 12 disciples and Paul, Timothy and Silas, along with women such as the Virgin Mary, Mary Magdalene, the woman at the well, Deborah, Lydia and Dorcas.

There is so much more that can be said, but let it be concluded that sustainable development is vital for our world, our country, our families and ourselves.