On Sustainability

Overview: On Sustainability

In this segment of the training program, participants will examine sustainability practices.

Sustainable Initiatives: This session will explore definitions of sustainability, strategies for creating programs with long-term sustainability in mind and will examine factors contributing to program sustainability, such as resource mobilization, community ownership, partnership building, and adaptive management. The concept of indicators will also be discussed and measurement types will be suggested for each indicator. Participants will gain insights into designing programs that can thrive beyond initial funding cycles, ensuring lasting benefits for communities.

Conclusion: By incorporating design thinking methodologies, sustainability principles, and salutogenic approaches into program development and implementation, participants in this module will be equipped to create innovative, sustainable, and inclusive programs that address the diverse needs of prenates, expectant parents and communities. Through collaborative efforts and creative problem-solving, participants will be empowered to design programs that drive positive change and promote holistic well-being.

On Sustainability

Bιωσιμότητα

Defining Sustainability
Etymology of “Sustainability”The word “sustainability” derives from the root word “sustain”, which comes from the Latin word sustinere. Let’s break down its components:

“Sustinere”: This Latin verb means “to hold up,” “to maintain,” or “to support.” It is formed from:
- “sub-“: meaning “up from below” or “under.”
- “tenere”: meaning “to hold” or “to keep.”
Over time, “sustain” evolved in English to mean to “maintain or support” something over time, particularly in terms of keeping something alive, stable, or ongoing.
“Sustainability”: The modern term “sustainability” emerged in the late 20th century, especially after the 1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment (also known as the Stockholm Conference), where concerns about environmental degradation and the need for long-term ecological balance led to the popularization of the term.

Definitions of “Sustainability”

General Definition:
- Sustainability refers to the ability to maintain or continue a process, system, or state over a long period of time without depleting resources or causing irreversible harm. It involves balancing human needs with the capacity of the Earth to provide for those needs.
Environmental Sustainability:
- This definition focuses on maintaining the health of the environment and natural resources. It aims to avoid ecological degradation, ensuring that resources like water, air, and soil remain abundant and functional for future generations. The goal is to meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own.
Economic Sustainability:
- In economics, sustainability refers to the capacity of an economy to support long-term economic growth without negatively impacting social and environmental systems. This includes responsible resource management, equitable wealth distribution, and fostering industries that do not deplete or harm ecosystems.
Social Sustainability:
- Social sustainability focuses on social equity, justice, and well-being. It emphasizes creating societies where all individuals have access to essential resources (like education, healthcare, and housing), have opportunities for personal development, and live in a harmonious and inclusive community. Social sustainability also addresses human rights and participation in decision-making processes.
Cultural Sustainability:
- This aspect of sustainability refers to the preservation and promotion of cultural diversity and heritage. It involves safeguarding cultural traditions, languages, and practices while allowing for evolution and adaptation. Cultural sustainability ensures that future generations can maintain their connection to their cultural identity and heritage.
Sustainable Development (SD):
- As defined by the Brundtland Commission in its 1987 report, sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This concept expands on sustainability by focusing on the interdependence of economic, social, and environmental goals.
Sustainability in Business:
- In the context of business or corporate sustainability, the term refers to the integration of environmental, social, and economic factors into business practices. This includes using sustainable production methods, reducing carbon footprints, adopting ethical labor practices, and ensuring products or services do not harm society or the environment. Often referred to as the triple bottom line (people, planet, profit).

ALSO

Project sustainability is defined by many economists and international development agencies as the capacity of a project to continue to deliver its intended benefits over a long period of time. The degree of sustainability of a project has been defined by Honadle and VanSant (1985) as the percentage of project-initiated goods and services that is still delivered and maintained five years past the termination of donor resources, the continuation of local action stimulated by the project, and the generation of successor services and initiatives as a result of project built local capacity. (Honadle, George, VanSant, Jerry. Implementation for sustainability : lessons from integrated rural development. West Hartford, Connecticut: Kumarin Press, 1985.)

OED has defined it similarly: The term “Sustainability” describes the ability of a project to maintain an acceptable level of benefit flows through its economic life. While this may often be expressed in quantitative terms involving the internal economic or financial rates of return, benefits may also be qualitatively assessed. For projects in the productive sectors such as industry, the principal measure of performance is output, generally expressed in terms of capacity utilization, but Bank supported projects normally have other objectives such as subsectoral policies, technology transfer and institution building, which must be assessed qualitatively.

Historical Overview of Sustainability

Key Points:

Indigenous Knowledge & Sustainability: Many indigenous communities have practiced sustainable living for centuries, recognizing the interconnectedness of human life, the environment, and future generations. Their holistic approaches to pregnancy, childbirth, and child-rearing integrate environmental stewardship, respect for natural cycles, and community well-being.
Industrial Revolution and Its Impact: The rapid industrialization of the 18th and 19th centuries brought significant environmental and health challenges. Increased pollution, urbanization, and industrial labor conditions affected maternal and child health, leading to concerns about sustainability and well-being.
Modern Environmental Movements: The 20th century saw the rise of ecological awareness, with the publication of influential works such as Silent Spring by Rachel Carson. The development of sustainable policies, environmental health standards, and global frameworks like the SDGs has shaped contemporary discussions on sustainability and prenatal health.
Current Challenges: Issues such as climate change, air and water pollution, social inequality, and unsustainable consumption patterns continue to impact prenatal well-being, necessitating integrated solutions.

Timeline of Key Sustainability Milestones:

- Pre-Industrial Societies: Sustainable birth and child-rearing practices in indigenous cultures.
- Industrial Revolution (18th-19th Century): The rise of environmental degradation, changes in maternal and child health due to urbanization.
- 20th Century Movements: Environmental justice, public health policies, and sustainability advocacy.
- 21st Century and Beyond: Integration of prenatal health into sustainability discussions through SDGs, resilience strategies, and policy development.

Reading List: Essential texts on historical sustainability and health (e.g., The Limits to Growth by Club of Rome, Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer). see below in extra study material.

UN Sustainable Development Goals

Theoretical Models of Sustainability
1. Doughnut Economics

A framework developed by Kate Raworth. It balances human wellbeing with ecological limits. The inner ring represents the basic needs of society and the outer ring sets ecological ceilings. In prenatal sciences, this means providing optimal conditions for prenatal health without exceeding planetary boundaries.

2. The Three Pillars Model:

The foundational sustainability model consisting of three interconnected domains:

Economic Sustainability: Ensuring long-term economic growth without negatively impacting social, environmental, or cultural factors. In prenatal sciences, this relates to accessible healthcare, affordable maternal nutrition, and sustainable healthcare funding.
Social Sustainability: Fostering healthy societies through well-being, equity, and education. In prenatal care, this emphasizes maternal support programs, equitable access to prenatal education, and strong family/community structures.
Environmental Sustainability: Protecting natural resources and ecosystems for future generations. Prenatal applications include reducing exposure to environmental toxins, promoting sustainable birth practices, and ensuring clean air and water for prenatal development.

Regenerative Development: A model that focuses on designing systems that restore and enhance natural and social environments rather than merely sustaining them. In prenatal care, regenerative approaches include midwifery-led models of care, community-based prenatal services, and natural birth practices that prioritize both human and environmental health.
Salutogenesis & Complexity: Salutogenesis, developed by Aaron Antonovsky, shifts the focus from disease to factors that support health and resilience. Complexity science examines how interconnected systems (biological, social, environmental) shape health outcomes. Prenatal science applications include holistic pregnancy care models, mind-body approaches to maternal well-being, and fostering adaptability in birth environments.

Indicators

An indicator is a measurable variable or metric used to assess progress, effectiveness, or impact within a specific area. In the context of sustainability for prenatal sciences and human-rights-based community projects, indicators serve as tools to evaluate whether the project is meeting its goals in environmental, social, economic, and institutional sustainability.

Key Characteristics of Indicators:

Measurable – Can be quantified or assessed qualitatively.
Relevant – Directly linked to the goals and objectives of the project.
Comparable – Can be tracked over time or compared across different contexts.
Actionable – Provides insights that guide decision-making and improvements.

For example:

A healthcare access indicator could be “% of pregnant women receiving prenatal checkups,” which provides concrete data on service availability.
A social sustainability indicator could be “number of parental support programs,” measuring the inclusivity of the system.

On Sustainability (Slides)

List of sustainability indicators for prenatal sciences and human-rights-based community projects, along with suggested measurement methods for each.

1. Environmental Sustainability (Ensuring a safe and nurturing environment for prenatal development)

Indicator	Measurement Method
Air and Water Quality	Regular testing for pollutants, tracking maternal exposure to toxins (PM2.5, lead, mercury, etc.).
Access to Clean Nutrition	% of pregnant women with access to fresh, unprocessed food; prevalence of prenatal malnutrition.
Sustainable Healthcare Facilities	Energy efficiency rating, waste management audits in maternity hospitals.
Toxin-Free Living Conditions	Policies restricting harmful chemicals (e.g., BPA bans), % of low-toxin products in maternal care.
Climate-Responsive Prenatal Care	Presence of heatwave/flood protocols for pregnant women; healthcare access in climate-vulnerable areas.

2. Social Sustainability (Fostering equity, dignity, and prenatal well-being)

Indicator	Measurement Method
Maternal and Prenatal Health Access	% of women receiving prenatal checkups; doctor/midwife availability per capita.
Culturally Competent Care	Client satisfaction surveys; % of providers trained in culturally responsive care.
Equitable Birth Rights	Legal frameworks recognizing the unborn child’s rights; existence of policies preventing prenatal discrimination, advancing equity and QoL right from the beginning.
Education on Prenatal Sciences	Number of prenatal education programs; literacy levels on unborn child development topics.
Parental Support Systems	Availability of parental leave policies, number of father-inclusive support programs.
Prevention of Prenatal Discrimination	Cases of gender-based or disability-related pregnancy discrimination.
Intergenerational Well-being	Longitudinal studies tracking child health outcomes based on prenatal support initiatives.

3. Economic Sustainability (Ensuring financial viability and accessibility)

Indicator	Measurement Method
Affordable Prenatal Care	% of pregnant women who can afford full prenatal care; out-of-pocket costs as % of income.
Employment Protection for Expecting Parents	% of companies offering paid maternity/paternity leave; reported cases of pregnancy-related job loss.
Funding for Prenatal Rights Advocacy	Total investment in prenatal programs; % of GDP allocated to maternal and child health.
Economic Inclusion of Mothers	% of women returning to work post-birth; number of maternal entrepreneurship programs.
Social Return on Investment (SROI)	Cost-benefit analysis showing long-term economic gains from prenatal health investments.

4. Institutional & Governance Sustainability (Policy frameworks for prenatal rights)

Indicator	Measurement Method
Legislation Protecting Prenates	Number of prenatal rights policies enacted and enforced.
Human-Rights-Based Healthcare Models	% of maternity hospitals following human-rights-based guidelines (e.g., respectful birthing practices).
Community-Led Decision-Making	% of prenatal programs designed with community input; stakeholder engagement reports.
Ethical Research & Practices	Compliance with ethical review boards; transparency in prenatal research funding.
Accountability & Monitoring	Regular public reports on maternal and (un)born child health outcomes.
Integration with Global Human Rights Goals	Alignment of policies with UN SDGs, WHO maternal health indicators.

Talbot’s Criteria
Talbot’s Criteria are a set of principles used to assess the sustainability and effectiveness of community health and development projects. These criteria were developed by Chris Talbot and focus on ensuring that projects are viable, impactful, and long-lasting. They are often applied to health, education, and social initiatives, including those related to prenatal sciences and human rights-based projects.

Talbot’s Criteria for Sustainable Community Projects

Effectiveness – Does the project achieve its intended goals? Are the outcomes beneficial and measurable?
Efficiency – Are resources (time, funding, personnel) used optimally to achieve the best results?
Relevance – Does the project address real and pressing community needs?
Equity – Are benefits distributed fairly among different groups, including marginalized or vulnerable populations?
Community Participation – Are local communities actively involved in decision-making, implementation, and leadership?
Integration – Is the project well-aligned with existing policies, services, and infrastructures?
Flexibility – Can the project adapt to changing conditions, needs, and contexts over time?
Institutionalization – Can the project be embedded into permanent structures, ensuring long-term impact?
Replication and Scalability – Can the project be expanded or adapted to other communities or regions?
Sustainability – Can the project continue beyond initial funding and leadership transitions, either through community ownership, policy support, or financial self-sufficiency?

Application to Prenatal Sciences & Human-Rights-Based Projects

For projects focused on prenatal sciences and human rights, Talbot’s Criteria can help ensure that:

Prenatal care initiatives reach all families equitably (Equity).
Community members actively engage in shaping prenatal programs (Community Participation).
Policies and healthcare systems integrate prenatal rights and education (Institutionalization).
The project can sustain itself financially and structurally beyond external support (Sustainability).

Brainding Sweetgrass

The Limits to Growth

Bamberger, Michael, and Shabbir Cheema. “Case studies of project sustainability.” The World Bank. Washington, D. C (1990).

Aarseth, Wenche, et al. “Project sustainability strategies: A systematic literature review.” International journal of project management 35.6 (2017): 1071-1083.

Batista, Alamo Alexandre da Silva, and Antonio Carlos de Francisco. “Organizational sustainability practices: A study of the firms listed by the corporate sustainability index.” Sustainability 10.1 (2018): 226.

“The fourth of John Talbott’s criteria is the need for cultural sustainability: Satisfying our need as human beings to be creative and expressive; to learn, grow, teach and be; to have a diverse, interesting, stimulating and exciting social environment and range of experiences available.” ― Christine Connelly, Sustainable Communities: Lessons from Aspiring Eco-Villages

“What we are doing to the forests of the world is but a mirror reflection of what we are doing to ourselves and to one another.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Courses

Course Categories

Courses

Course Categories

UN Sustainable Development Goals

Key Characteristics of Indicators:

1. Environmental Sustainability (Ensuring a safe and nurturing environment for prenatal development)

2. Social Sustainability (Fostering equity, dignity, and prenatal well-being)

3. Economic Sustainability (Ensuring financial viability and accessibility)

4. Institutional & Governance Sustainability (Policy frameworks for prenatal rights)

Talbot’s Criteria for Sustainable Community Projects

Application to Prenatal Sciences & Human-Rights-Based Projects

Company

Links

Support

Recommend

Accredited by

BECOME AN EDUCATOR?

Courses

Course Categories

Courses

Course Categories

On Sustainability

UN Sustainable Development Goals

Key Characteristics of Indicators:

1. Environmental Sustainability (Ensuring a safe and nurturing environment for prenatal development)

2. Social Sustainability (Fostering equity, dignity, and prenatal well-being)

3. Economic Sustainability (Ensuring financial viability and accessibility)

4. Institutional & Governance Sustainability (Policy frameworks for prenatal rights)

Talbot’s Criteria for Sustainable Community Projects

Application to Prenatal Sciences & Human-Rights-Based Projects

Leave A Reply Cancel reply

Company

Links

Support

Recommend

Accredited by

BECOME AN EDUCATOR?

Login with your site account

Register a new account

Modal title