Perceptions and Understanding Towards Sustainable Development

This article drew managers' understanding on concept, dimensions, mechanisms and stakeholders of sustainable development (SD). The respondents were 338 managers of seven randomly selected ministries including the Ministries of: Education; the Interior; Housing and Urban Development; Health and Medical Education; Science, Research and Technology; Energy; and Jihad-e-Agriculture. The main research tool was a questionnaire. The findings revealed that responsible well-being and improvement is central to sustainable development from the managers' prospective, while the linkage between sustainability and development issues has less importance. Respondents also pointed out that combating deforestation, protecting the atmosphere, managing fragile ecosystems and protecting the quality and supply of freshwater resources were the most important dimensions for achieving the goals of SD in practice. Results of the study on the mechanisms of SD also showed that respondents believed, “financial resources,” and, “clean technology transfer,” have greater priority over other mechanisms for implementing SD programs. Overall, they pointed out that major groups, namely NGOs, trade unions, farmers, scientific and technological community and indigenous people play key roles in practicing SD programs