As the new millennium approaches, the tropical regions of the world face tremendous challenges. The unrelenting pressures of globalization imply a new world order in which the only constant is change. At the same time, millions of people inhabiting the tropics have been relegated to lives of extreme poverty with little hope for improvement. While the rhetoric of governments, development agencies and NGOs increasingly focuses on sustainability and development in harmony with the natural environment, much of the population of the tropics lead lives far removed from any semblance of sustainability or development. Increasing disparity between the haves and have nots, environmental destruction, and growing problems of food security demonstrate that little has actually been accomplished in promoting sustainable development.
Education is the key to the resolution of humanity's great dilemmas.
Investment in human resources represents the best hope for achieving economic growth without forsaking the goals of poverty alleviation, social cohesion, and environmental sustainability. Achieving global sustainability will depend upon the contributions of young men and women with the knowledge, training, and social commitment needed to create real change. The remaining seminars will take place over the coming five years. Locations for the remaining seminars include Costa Rica, Norway, and countries as yet undetermined in Africa and Asia. Participants The identification and establishment of a network of committed individuals who will participate in some or all of the sessions will be critical to the success of the project.