Global Education and Social Dimension of Sustainable Development

Darni plėtra, nuolat esanti ir akcentuojama politinėje dienotvarkėje, vis dar stokoja Lietuvos mokslininkų dėmesio. Straipsnio tikslas – išryškinti socialinio kapitalo dimensiją darnios plėtros kontekste, pristatant globalų švietimą kaip socialinio kapitalo didinimo, o tai reiškia, ir darnios plėtros įgyvendinimo, priemonę. Remiantis teorinių šaltinių analize aptariamos tokios temos kaip darnios plėtros samprata, darnios plėtros dimensijos, darnios plėtros strategijų ir globalaus švietimo sąsajos.Sustainable development is an integral concept and a complex process, which aim is to ensure well-being and prosperity for nowadays and future generations. According to WCED, sustainable development is development that meets the needs of present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainable development is permanently on political agenda, however, lacks attention of Lithuanian scientist. Moreover, if the concept is discussed, the emphasis is put on ecological or economic perspective, ignoring the social one. Therefore, the aim of the article is to highlight social capital in the context of sustainable development and to discuss the role of global education in the strengthening of social capital, e.g. ensuring implementation of sustainable development. Based on review of scientific resources, the article discusses ecological, economic and social capital, their complementarity and interdependence. These strategies for sustainable development: the efficiency, the sufficiency and the redistribution, are presented in the connection with global education issues

Impact of Abandoned Land on Environmental Protection, Landscape and Economic Benefit in Lithuania

Abstract. Human economic activity is defined as an anthropogenic process that has a negative impact on natural envi-ronment. The urbanisation and agricultural development influence the environment mostly. In order to receive economic benefit to the above-mentioned activities, the landscape is changed, the soil is affected and pollutants are released into the environment. In the light of the fact that the identified processes and problems caused by them are global, the variety of international directives are designed to minimise the impact of anthropogenic activities on the environment. The territory of the Republic of Lithuania has a considerable amount of areas, where the economic activity is sus-pended, i.e. the land is abandoned. This is due to a variety of social, natural and economic reasons. This process can be perceived as opposite to the anthropogenic activity, however it is important to examine how it affects the environment, landscape or economic needs. These processes are relevant on the local and international level, therefore, the scientific results of this article may be useful for the professionals in various areas and further research. The research investigates the territory of abandoned agricultural land, which is to be urbanised in the future. Land cadastre data, spatial planning documents are analysed, a questionnaire-based survey is conducted, and the actual inspec-tion in the area is carried out. The research results identify the causes for non-use of the land, and the impact of no eco-nomic activity on the environment, the landscape and the economic performance. To reach the set objectives, the data analysis, synthesis, induction methods have been used