43. At the opening of th.e Ministerial Session, the Rapporteur General highlighted the following points: 44. The Joint Agenda for Action produced by the government officials and representatives of the NGO groups constituted a first effort at collectively agreeing on sustainable development concepts and principles warranting study, elaboration or further action, and reviewing some of their applications. It was as comprehensive as a document negotiated between various interests could be. It offered an integrative approach to environmental and developmental issues which went beyond the traditional conservationist approach by stating that all environmental and developmental issues should be integrated in governmental policies. 45. Under the heading "Awareness Raising and Public Participati on", it asserted very clearly that the participation of all sectors of society, Youth, Voluntary Organizations, Women, Industry, Science, Trade Unions, aboriginal groups and others, in implementing sustainable development was vitally important and proposed: To increase the availability of knowledge through the improvemen t of environmental data bases, the integration of sustainable development in school curricula, the provision of support to interdisciplinary scientific training programmes, the advancement of public awareness through inter alia standardization of labelling and logos of environmentally friendly products. To build on the conclusions of the 1989 Sofia Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE) which includes the free expressions of views, the right of association and peaceful assembly, access to information, and to have these rights elaborated in a document for the 1992 World Conference on Environment and Developmen t. To support institutio~al changes at all levels that will facilitate exchange of experiences, learning and decisions with the broad participation of groups and persons as well as the extension of environmental assessment mechanisms and the formation of round tables. I ••• A/CONF.151/PC/10 English Page 11 46. The Joint Agenda for Action stated that future economic development should not 
**Analysis**
The text discusses sustainable development, environmental issues, and the importance of public participation in implementing sustainable development. It also mentions the need for institutional changes, exchange of experiences, and learning. The document highlights the importance of education, awareness raising, and public involvement in sustainable development.

**Category**
Natural resources and environment, Education