The Development and Sustainability Program examines the problems in, processes involved with, and the prospects for the transformation of human, natural, and material resources in various contexts and at various levels of social interaction, from the local, national, and regional to the international/global level. The Development and Sustainability Graduate Certificate connects faculty who teach and undertake research across nine units in the university, and enables students to coordinate their graduate studies to concentrate on development issues, using a multidisciplinary approach. A minor degree in Development and Sustainability will be available starting Fall 2011.

The Development and Sustainability Group is a voluntary network established in 2000, connecting faculty, staff and students who have an interest in international, Canadian, and/or local development and sustainability issues and problems. This interest includes teaching, research, training and practical projects. ‘Development’ for this Group is widely interpreted, and includes social, environmental, economic, political, cultural, scientific, technological, and historical dimensions of the quality of life, and the institutions/forces/groups/individuals responsible for it. The Group includes those who are uncomfortable with the term ‘development’.

The Development and Sustainability Program, formerly known as the Development Studies Program, was established in 2005.