The concept of sustainable development in the context of the European Year for Development 2015

The term of sustainable development enjoys at global level of the support of international institutions, governments, businesses, and civil society. The nearly universal approval of sustainable development as a guiding principle is, in part, due to its importance. Sustainable development is also a prominent component of the MDGs, which have been widely endorsed by national governments and the world’s foremost development organizations since they were adopted at the Millennium Summit in 2000. Recent, the United Nations adopted a new global development agenda as a follow-up to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The new 17 Sustainable Development Goals integrate the three dimensions of sustainable development, covering areas such as poverty, inequality, food security, health, sustainable consumption and production, growth, employment, infrastructure, sustainable management of natural resources, oceans, climate change, but also gender equality, peaceful and inclusive societies, access to justice and accountable institutions. These Goals describe a global agenda, including some global public goods that cannot be implemented by any country on its own. In 2015, the European Union has decided to focus on "Development". This is the first ever European Year to deal with the European Union's external action and Europe’s role in the world. The purpose of the European Year of Development 2015 is to show the EU's commitment to eradicating poverty and of sustainable development in worldwide. Through this motto "Our world, our future, our dignity", the European Union aims at raising awareness among its citizens and stakeholders and fostering more involvement in development cooperation.