Conference I.C.L.E.I. - Napoli, Italy 26-27 Oct. 2011

Introduction to the concept of sustainable development

-Integrated Management System-

Sustainable development is the concept that the United Nations selected in response to the great challenges of the XXI-th century, for which concern was expressed about the increasing negative effects of us, humans, consciously or not, we have on the planet.

The concept of sustainable/durable development, was know very well in our country since 1992 when at the Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) took place under the auspices of United Nations, First World Congress dedicated this issue . Conclusions of these debates have been taken by the European Union, and in our country, by local government level and summarized in the concept of Local Agenda 21.This first management tool, was proposed to local communities, in order to connect at the ideas expressed in Rio de Janeiro.

Aware that the responsibility for the present generation is to create a sustainable society, our organizations, starting from the motto "Global thinking, local acting" has been involved since 2003 in various projects related to sustainable development of local communities. Thus were made scientific research that focused on:

- Sustainable Development Strategy of Targu Jiu and Gorj county , in 2003

- Guide to the development of Sibiu, in 2004

- Sustainable Development Strategies for the villages: Mandra, Comana, Sercaia, Sinca Noua, Parau , all forming the inter-association "Dumbrava Narciselor" - Brasov county, in 2009

- Sustainable Development Strategy of Fagaras city in 2008

- Sustainable Development Strategies for the villages: Recea, Lisa, Voila, and Hârseni in 2009

- Sustainable Development Strategy of Câmpulung city, in 2010

These strategies are based on the results of sociological investigations, on deep and constructive analysis made between participants at this complex process, and scientists of our institution and the National Institute of Economic Research "Costin C. Kiriţescu" of the Romanian Academy and the University "Lucian Blaga" of Sibiu, with the declared aim of creating "models" that may be followed by all local authorities in Romania.

The main objectives were reviewed and proposed:

- Rational use of natural resources at local level;

- Environmental protection;

- Protecting and developing cultural heritage;

- Sustainable development of economy and increase employment jobs;

- Development of tourism in those areas.

Ideas, "models" embodied in these works were disseminated by our organizations through seminars, projects and international conferences:

· Conference "Sustainable development of local communities" (Sibiu 2007);

· Conference "Development of administrative capacity of local authorities"

(Sibiu, 2008);

· Conference "Managing projects with international financing local government

· Conference "The local community and government" (Sibiu, 2010).

Thanks to ICLEI project, we managed to cover our strategies at international level:

- April 2010, Newcastle upon Tyne - The First Informed Cities Forum, was presented the Sustainable Strategy of Câmpulung;

- October 2010, Incheon - Korea - Future of Cities - ICLEI `s 20 th Anniversary Congress, was presented the Sustainable Development Strategy of Sibiu;

- November 2010, Sibiu – Romania, Workshop on tools for evaluating / monitor local sustainable development;

- January 2011, Milan - The Second European Cities Informed Roundtable, we presented the evaluation / monitor tools for local sustainable development.

- October 2011, Naples - Informed Cities Forum 2011, Rio +20, the role of local performance and research, we presented sustainable development in Romania for the Rio +20 World Conference.

- Conference VII, "The investment in the local government", Sibiu, where was presented the project CHAMP , which will be subject to the next International Conference, Sibiu, Romania, 2012.

In terms of national activity, it takes place in the HG no. 146 of 12.11.2008, regarding the approval of the National Strategy for Sustainable Development coordinated by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, who in the "Romanian National Report" present the main results and measures to accelerate the activity in this area.

For "Zero draft document" National Monitoring Committee is to submit a response. Also, following the Rio +20 conference to be held after the other one "Green Growth - a prerequisite for sustainable development" held on April 19, 2011.

In conclusion, the scientific team created locally, based on scientific activity and professional experience, believes that:

- Work towards sustainable development strategies at local level is the main method of implementing the c oncept of sustainable development, being a true "bible" for the development of local communities;

- The accountability and legitimacy on which the scientific instruments were made to manage local energy focus and synergy all directions to ensure long-term happiness of the inhabitants;

- As a marketing tool, the message conveyed in the external environment, the scientific reports proving the administrative capacity of local authorities, constituted by democratic vote of the people, the only possible partner in attracting new investment and sustainable development of local communities;

- by this instrument it is made a participation of all citizens to the idea of local community, to the principles of participatory democracy to cultivate a spirit of tolerance that ultimately lead to achieving a local welfare;

- Use of new scientific results, including the Integrated Management System based on the methods, techniques and tools that have a strong impact at local level.

As such, the instrument called the Integrated Management System, aims to offer 10 sections in the local and regional public administration, a possible way forward to ensure coordinated implementation measures of the various strategies for sustainable development in local communities.

By the extent and depth of scientific level, we believe that the Integrated Management System, recently validated at worldwide level(the 2 ICLEI Cities and Mayors Congress 3 to 5 June 2011, Bonn, Germany) is and will be the main method in the future especially, use by local scientific community so they can meet global challenges through local solutions. Also CHAMP team, by structured/integrated scientific support offer, accelerate the process of taking over and highlight the best practices in Romania, with disinterested purpose of increasing the prosperity for the citizens from our country.

Resercher I. Grade Dr. Dan Nanu

Dr. Mihai Baltador