shelter and housing, consumer science, household

management, design and technology, food science and

hospitality, human development and family studies, education
and community services. Home Economists address the
interrelationship of sustainability and human/civil rights and
share a concern for vulnerable audiences.
ACHIEVING SUSTAINABLE LIVING FOR ALL:
A HOME ECONOMICS PERSPECTIVE Home Economists worldwide work as scientists and
practitioners. They foster new knowledge through research and
empower families and their communities to develop the
THE 2030 AGENDA for Sustainable Development provides
capacity for agency. Home Economists promote positive
a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the
systemic actions that improve the quality of life and represent
planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17
the integrated, multi-level approach that is core to achieving the
Sustainable Development Goals, which are an urgent call for
Sustainable Development Goals.
action by all countries in a global partnership. They recognise
that ending poverty and other deprivations is inextricably linked
with strategies that improve health and education, reduce CONTRIBUTION TO A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
inequality, and spur economic growth while tackling climate Home Economics is considered as the original field of research
change and working to preserve our nature. focusing on economic, social and ecological aspects of
everyday living, which includes responsible use of resources.
Home Economics also addresses the impact of food, health,
economic, environmental, and human/political systems on the
HOME ECONOMICS brings the focus of households as
status of individuals, families, and communities. Its capacity to
building blocks of sustainable societies. Addressing complex
draw from a disciplinary diversity allows for the development of
interrelated human and environmental problems, it aims at
specific interpretations of important UN Sustainable
achieving optimal and sustainable living conditions for
Development Goals:
individuals, families and their communities while acknowledging
their global interdependence.

Home Economics is a field of study and a profession, situated

in the human sciences. It is also known as Family & Consumer
Sciences or Human Ecology. It follows an integrated approach
and draws from a disciplinary diversity which might include,
among others: food, nutrition, health, textiles and clothing,
No Poverty: End Poverty in all its Forms to sustainably manage their financial resources and thus
everywhere address the important aspect of social exclusion.
This includes low-priced, healthy nutrition; sustainable, cost-
reducing consumption of water and energy or new ways of
Poverty is more than the lack of income and
sustainable consumption (“sharing economy”). Improving the
resources. A household’s economic and social
access of families and households to sustainable livelihoods,
status is also determined by the relation
entrepreneurial opportunities and production resources,
between its members and free access to all
especially for women, will help to eradicate poverty.
social-economic opportunities.

Home Economists act as advisors to governments and

communities because they are experts in what is needed to Zero Hunger
improve the quality of life for households and families. On a
practical level, Home Economics aims to best satisfy the needs The aim of ending hunger and all forms of
of household members with the available resources. Education malnutrition is closely related to a micro-level
in Home Economics competencies offers an important household perspective. Food production and
contribution to reducing poverty and alleviating poverty related food consumption are closely interlinked and
circumstances of life. This especially refers to women who are households are basic entities of societies and
usually heads of households and other vulnerable groups. economies, where members take decisions
regarding their consumption choices and behaviour and
Home Economics Education often focuses on sustainable food livelihood strategies.
production. Heads of households are trained in healthy
nutrition and efficient cooking to improve their situation but Women are still mainly responsible for the household tasks of
also learn about hygienic behaviour, maternal and family procuring and preparing food, and for the related tasks of
health. Education in everyday life management also includes fetching water and wood or other fuels for preparing food. Their
aspects that help to overcome poverty such as the importance limited decision-making power and the unequal allocation of
of education for girls and boys and alternative ways of income resources and division of workloads negatively impact on the
generation. food and nutrition situation of all household members in many
parts of the world. Addressing structural conditions of hunger
Home Economics education often aims at financial literacy. and food and nutrition insecurity such as unequal access to
As debt counsellors and family advisers, Home Economics land and other resources directly benefits the food and nutrition
professionals show ways out of indebtedness, support families situation of households, as women produce more food than
men for household consumption.
Home Economics Education addresses the interlinkages Home Economics as a profession aims at overcoming gender
between food production and food consumption by promoting stereotypes with regard to household-related tasks,
sustainable production and consumption patterns for more encouraging all members to equally engage in food
sustainable diets – the key content of Sustainable Development procurement and food preparation – promoting these as
Goal 12. This includes addressing the double burden of modern, positive, productive tasks that enhance everyone’s
malnutrition, as evident in the alarming prevalence of well-being.
overweight and obesity in children and adults; resulting in huge
public health costs. Furthermore, there is an urgent need to
teach pre-school and school children and adolescents, as well Global Health and Well-being: Ensure healthy Lives and
as their parents and other care givers, about food preparation promote Well-being for All at all Ages
and healthy eating patterns, recognising that lifestyles are
changing and that this information and advice need to be based Health problems pose a huge challenge for
on the everyday realities of people. households whose members are affected,
deprive households of economic and social
Home Economists are conducting research and projects around resources and impede development. Significant
the world to reduce and prevent hunger and malnutrition. Home strides have been made in increasing life
Economics professionals are educating especially women in expectancy, reducing some of the common
sustainable food production and alternative ways of income killers associated with child and maternal mortality and
generation which benefits household food and nutrition security. eradicating diseases. But especially vulnerable groups such as
Training is provided on healthy nutrition, efficient cooking and rural women face multi-faceted health issues. They often lack
the need to send children to school. Home Economist health education, sanitation and hygiene facilities and are
professionals are further working on research and education exposed to ambient pollution (air pollutants in households and
programmes for financial literacy to avoid that families become farming).
indebted. They also provide counselling for families to find ways
out of poverty and actively support those families that face Home Economics aims to improve well-being and increase the
social exclusion. quality of life for members of private and institutional
households. Health related Home Economics research
At a policy level, Home Economics recommends to integrate contributes to achieving good health from many angles. Health
the subject in curricula and making this education available to related research on Food Security and Nutrition sets the
both sexes, to recognise and value unpaid work; to procure focus on the relation between health and malnutrition, food
locally sourced and sustainably produced food, both in the allergies, the influence of healthy nutrition to longevity or
private and institutional household. healthy diets.
Household Technology research contributes to the Achieve Gender Equality and Empower all Women
development of secure household devices and clean cook and Girls
stoves; helping to reduce sickness and death through toxic
smoke. Research in Hygiene supports private and institutional Gender equality is not only a fundamental
households (e.g. hospitals, care homes) to avoid infections and human right, but a necessary foundation for a
improve cleaning processes and food processing with specific peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world.
attention to vulnerable groups like children, elder people or Gender equality and empowerment of women
hospitalised persons. Research in Textiles and household and girls start at home. Gender equality in
technology includes textiles used in kitchens, bathrooms, toilets education or employment can only be achieved,
and for medical treatments and develops special textiles and if behaviour and values are nurtured and shared among
washing processes, aiming to reduce infections through household members and then confidently pursued beyond.
contaminated textiles. Finally, research in Home Economics
Education helps to improve methods for capacity building and From a Home Economics perspective, the relationship between
to better educate household members and impart knowledge household members, the division of work, allocation of
on hygiene behaviour. resources, decision-making and roles attributed to women are
essential factors to reach gender equality. This also means
Practical Home Economics Education plays an important role including men and their changing identities into research and
in improving health and avoiding infectious diseases. Trained in action. The vast majority of our field’s addressees are women,
basic Home Economics, heads of household can avoid health Home Economists therefore advocate for gender equality in
risks by respecting basic hygienic behaviour (hand washing, different areas:
food processing, cleaning) and by learning about safe
alternatives to hazardous pesticides or unhealthy cooking Unpaid and Domestic Work – Relieve Workload of Women.
stoves. Home Economics research on household management shows
that globally, the major part of unpaid work at home is done by
In institutional households, Home Economics professionals women and includes care for other household members. If
ensure health and well-being of people, who are not able to women participate in paid work, they are overrepresented in
take care for themselves. Home Economists follow a balanced low paid work and receive less than men. To relieve women
approach to increase well-being for all household members, not from household and care work, Home Economists demand a
only taking into account health related aspects but also the rethink of gender roles including more active involvement of
psychological and social aspects. men and other household members, and government support
structures to enable this.
Equal Rights for Men and Women – Access to Resources, Clean Water and Sanitation: Ensure Availability
Land and Leadership. Women who bear the main household and sustainable Management of Water and
workload, care for other household members or generate
Sanitation for All
household income need equal rights. They need full access to
and control over land, economic and natural resources,
Water, food and energy topics are inextricably
financial services or inheritance. Home Economics extension
linked. Water scarcity, poor water quality and
programs include education on land or water management.
inadequate sanitation negatively impact food
security, livelihood choices and educational
No Violence against Women and Girls at Home. Violence
opportunities for poor families across the world.
often starts at home, in families and communities and is
affected by culture and traditions. Home Economists
Home Economics is a multi-disciplinary field and follows an
understand the household as a place where its members basic
integrated approach: Water may be perceived as a local good,
needs are met and therefore advocate for protection and
but our field also considers the global implications local
security for women and girls and the establishment of
household activities and consumption have. Water related
protection services for women in rural areas.
behaviour and hygiene standards are core element of Home
Economics knowledge for private and institutional households.
Home Economics Education to advance Gender Education.
Women must have access to high-quality education at all
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene. A central Home Economics
levels. At household level, Home Economics knowledge
subject is the impact of hygienic behaviour on health, thus
enables both men and women to improve the situation for
ensuring access to safe drinking water and breaking the vicious
themselves and their family members. This includes the need
circle of disease and malnutrition. We also advocate for
for food security and health but also spans the important
adequate sanitation including handwashing facilities and toilets
aspects as financial literacy and the use of information and
that guarantee privacy especially for women and girls.
communication technology to ensure participation in the
information society.
Water Quality. Home Economics research provides new
knowledge in sustainable waste management at community
level or in extension services. Adequate education how to
handle human waste avoids water pollution. On the consumer
side, Home Economics can influence individual consumption
behaviour, offering alternatives to the harmful use of plastic
bags, dumping of medicine or use of personal care products
with micro particles.
Water Use Efficiency. Household Technology experts advise Responsible Production and Consumption:
on the production or use of water efficient appliances and Ensure sustainable Consumption and Production
Home Economics Education fosters locally appropriate
Patterns
sustainable water consumption (e.g. rain water harvesting).
With food waste being one reason for water waste, Home
Individual consumption affects the economy of a
Economists advocate for regulations allowing to sell
household and its members and has direct
“misshaped” fruits and vegetables, advise cities and local
impact on the wider social, economic and
governments to recycle food waste and inform consumers how
ecological living environment. Home Economics
to prevent food waste.
is concerned with how individual behaviour,
priorities and choices shapes future living at
Integrated Water Resource Management. Home Economics
household level, in local communities and on a globally
Education uses the concept of virtual water (water embedded in
interdependent planet. It considers consumers as decision
consumer products and production processes) to foster
makers whose interactions have an impact and who hold their
reflection on the individual water footprint and change
share of responsibility for a sustainable lifestyle.
consumption behaviour. It also fosters local community
participation, including private households as water consumers
Home Economists endorse the concept that people should not
into the municipal planning processes of water and wastewater
only change their personal lifestyles, but also come to practice
management
activities in their communities, and thus promote and support
transformation towards sustainability at a global scale.
Water-related Ecosystems. Household Technology research
and Home Economics Education and training contribute to
Home Economics research aims to create new knowledge and
decreasing the use of wood and to establishing renewable
innovative approaches to improve sustainable consumption.
energy sources for household cooking. Training in sustainable
Prominent areas of scientific interest are e.g. food waste, the
farming methods helps protecting rivers and groundwater from
sustainable production of textiles or energy efficient cooking.
pollution.
To improve framework conditions for sustainable consumption,
Home Economists advocate for the inclusion of household
needs in all planning processes. They also promote the
integration of Home Economics Education on all education
levels to increase knowledge about the global impact of
individual consumer behaviour.
Institutional households such as universities or hospitals are THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION FOR HOME
encouraged to implement sustainable consumption and ECONOMICS (IFHE) is an International NGO that unites
production ethics within their area of responsibility and among Home Economists worldwide who share a global, professional
their staff. commitment to achieve a sustainable living for individuals,
households and communities.
Home Economics practice focuses on consumer education.
To perceive everyone as a consumer does not mean people The federation was founded in 1908 and attracts individuals
know how to consume in a sustainable way. Therefore, Home and organisations from 60 countries, each working at their local
Economics consumer education includes practical advice and and national level. Since over 110 years, it thrives on the
exercises how to behave and act in a sustainable way. This commitment of its predominantly female members and is led by
could refer to reduction of household waste or the sustainable an internationally balanced leadership team. The IFHE provides
management of household resources (e.g. water, energy, networking opportunities, publishes a refereed E-journal and
cooking fuel). Changing consumer behaviour also includes organises World Congresses with over 1,000 participants,
conscious decisions on the buying of textiles (thus influencing among others.
sustainable production and working conditions in the sector) or
information on new models of consumption such as car sharing, In 1981, the federation was given consultative status with the
urban gardening or eco-sensitive housing. UN and later with FAO and UNESCO. It actively supports the
UN initiatives Zero Hunger Challenge and Clean Cooking
Alliance and is member of an NGO network advising WHO. On
its own and with partners, the International Federation for Home
Economics advocates for Home Economics to contribute to a
sustainable future for all.

© Copyright 2019:
International Federation for Home Economics IFHE
Kaiser-Friedrich-Straße 13 Ι 53113 Bonn Ι Germany
[email protected] / www.ifhe.org

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