Sustainable development is a matter all countries in the world are currently, pursuing, but with different degrees of emphasis and by investing different amounts of resources. But no matter if we speak about industrialised or developing countries, the quest for an environmentally sound, socially just, economically viable and ethically acceptable development needs to be regarded as a priority by all nations in the world.

But despite the various actions taken at international level, much has still to be made at the regional and local levels. Indeed, 26 years after the “Our Common Future” was published, 21 years after “Agenda 21” was produced and 8 years after the world's commitment towards sustainability was reiterated in the “Johannesburg Declaration”, the need for disseminating approaches, methods, projects and initiatives aimed at fostering the cause of sustainable development is as pressing as ever before.

The 2nd “World Sustainable Development Teach-In Day” consists of:

1. a set of lectures in English prepared by some of the leading experts on sustainable development,
2. a set of videos on the scientific, economic and social aspects of sustainable development, which can be downloaded and a
3. discussion forum

The lectures are divided into two main categories:

1. Implementing Sustainable Development in the Curriculum 
2. Implementing Sustainable Development in University Activities, Research and Outreach programmes
   
   

Moreover, the 2nd "World Sustainable Development Teach-In Day" will pay a special emphasis to research linking sustainability with one or more of the Millennium Development Goals´ categories: poverty and hunger; universal primary education; gender equality and women's empowerment; malaria, and other diseases; as well as environmental sustainability per se.

In addition to lectures, participant universities will be provided with a set of guiding questions which can then be discussed as well as with a film which can be shown whenever possible.

In order to keep the requirements as simple as possible, the lectures will be made available as power point presentations which may be downloaded by users. A selection of videos will also be available for download.

The discussions forum over the course of the 2nd “World Sustainable Development Teach-In Day” will offer participants the chance to interact with the lecturers and have first hand insights into the latest discussions on matters related to sustainability at universities around the world. Whilst individuals, universities will use the 2nd “World Sustainable Development Teach-In Day” for information, direct scientific and cooperation contacts between the participants will also be encouraged.