Prof. Dr. Yolanda Masnita Siagian, MM, CIRR, CMA, CPM (Asia).

Ex Officio Head of Doctoral Concentration in Development Economics (Islamic Economics and Finance, Sustainable Development and Public Policy)

The UN World Body has launched the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a continuation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The goals in the SDGs are common targets for countries in the world without exception in order to realize the welfare of the global community. The paradigm of “sustainability” is deliberately used as a basis for achieving these targets because of the strong desire of these countries to achieve prosperity without sacrificing the fate of future generations.

This concept is in line with the United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED) in 1987 which defined Sustainable Development as “Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. It should be realized that the current economic development is very threatening to the environment. The environmental damage that occurs in turn has also affected economic growth. Therefore, repairing environmental damage without ignoring economic development and social justice is a prerequisite for sustainable development.

Thus, Sustainable Development covers three policy areas, namely Economic Development, Environmental Development, and Social Development. In its implementation, Sustainable Development must be placed in a community-based mechanism, and involve all parties. In the study of Sustainable Development, we are able to develop knowledge, values, and skills to participate in decision-making to improve the quality of life now without damaging the planet of the future, both individually and collectively, and locally and globally. In that context, Trisakti University and Colorado State University (USA) have collaborated to organize a Doctoral Program in Economics with a Concentration in “Sustainable Development Studies” which received “B” Great Accreditation from the National Accreditation Board for Higher Education.