Social Sustainability : A Multilevel Approach to Social Inclusion

While it is often said that sustainability comprises three elements—environmental, economic and social—little consensus exists even among experts on what social sustainability means. This volume expands our understanding of the social aspect of sustainability through an exploration of its conceptual relevance and application as social inclusion which is fully achieved when all have the opportunity and resources necessary to participate in economic, social, and cultural life as societies respond to environmental change, exploring the manner in which governments, organizations, and citizens address and discharge duties of accountability to a range of stakeholders.

How can we raise the standard of living of the world’s poor and maintain high levels of social health and well-being in the developed world, while simultaneously reducing the environmental damage wrought by human activity? The social dimension of sustainability is becoming recognized as a necessary if not sufficient condition for attaining economic and environmental sustainability. The requisite dialogue requires inclusion at multi-levels. This collection of works is an ambitious and multi-disciplinary effort to indemnify and articulate the design, implementation and implications of inclusion. Included are theoretical and empirical pieces that examine the related issues at the local, national and international levels. Contributors are grounded in Sociology, Economics, Business Administration, Public Administration, Public Health, Psychology, Anthropology, Social Work, Education, and Natural Resource Management.