ABSTRACT
The vision of sustainable development must, by definition, include both long-term considerations and the global dimension (Grunwald & Kopfmüller, 2006; WCED, 1987). Pursuing this vision implies that societal processes and structures should be re-orientated so as to ensure that the needs of future generations are taken into account and to enable current generations in the Southern and Northern Hemispheres to develop in a manner that observes the issues of equity and participation. Since a feature inherent in the Leitbild of sustainable development is consideration of strategies for shaping current and future society according to its normative content, guidance is necessary and the ultimate aim of sustainability analyses, reflections, deliberations and assessments. The latter should result, in the last consequence, in knowledge for action, and this knowledge should motivate, empower and support ‘real’ action (von Schomberg, 2002).
