The Role of Economics in Education for Sustainable Development; The Baltic States' Experience

There are often no easy answers to economics, environmental and sustainable challenges on the way to sustainable development. The relationship between education and sustainable development is complex. Education, raising awareness and modifying behaviour is one of the key elements to reduce the environmental impact of an ever-increasing population. Universities all over the world play a major role in the development and dissemination of ideas of sustainable development. This article identifies general trends in the implementation of education for economics and sustainable development into higher education in Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia (hereafter the Baltic States). The purpose of this study is to explore to what extent and by which approach institutions of higher education in the Baltic States have been attempting to incorporate sustainability into the curricula, and what have been the results. The article consists of a research in which the first section is dedicated to scientific publications on sustainable development in Baltic States and Europe, the second section analyses the cooperation between the participants of the Baltic University programme, and the third section describes the results of a survey. The authors of the article have questioned the objective of the course as well as discussing its economic aspects, and consider whether an education on sustainable development includes a balance between nature, the economy, and society. Also, the current initiatives and practices of higher education institutions were as¬sessed. From this analysis it is possible to determine the elements of academic development that would most likely result in a change in educational development and delivery.