The Cornerstone of Development: Integrating Environmental, Social, and Economic Policies

The integration of environmental, social, and economic policies is viewed as the cornerstone of sustainable and equitable development. More and more literature points to the close links between poverty — a socioeconomic concern — and environmental damage, two of today's most serious global problems. What is missing, however, are concrete examples of the relationships among these three imperatives as well as examples of cases where meaningful solutions have been developed. There is also a dearth of understanding and documented examples in the literature of the tools, methods, and institutional arrangements needed to formulate and implement solutions.

The Cornerstone of Development is the first book to provide concrete examples of meaningful policy integration for sustainable and equitable development, and it does so from both Northern and Southern perspectives. It is also unique in the way it links policy integration with theories on how people learn, or "learning theory." The book highlights insights into learning theory and identifies how we might be taught to understand and better manage trade-offs among environmental, social, and economic imperatives.

The Cornerstone of Development should be read by anyone concerned with the issues of global sustainable development and the conservation of our natural resources. It will particularly interest scholars and students of development studies, environmental sciences, and social and economic policy; policymakers, planners, and managers in both governmental and nongovernmental sectors; and professionals in development organizations and environmental bodies worldwide.

The editors

Jamie Schnurr is a Research Specialist at the International Development Research Centre in Ottawa, Canada.

Susan Holtz is Adjunct Professor in the Environmental Planning Department of the Nova Scotia College for Art and Design, Vice Chair of Canada's National Roundtable on the Environment and the Economy, and a member of the Auditor General of Canada's Panel of Senior Advisors.