The United Nations launched its "Decade of Education for Sustainable Development," in January. The purpose of the "Decade" is to promote viable and just societies for all people. All over the world, educational institutions are being encouraged to move beyond teaching about the environment and implement educational policies and practices that include economic aspects of development, such as alleviating poverty and understanding different cultures in order to celebrate diversity, promote gender equality and indigenous knowledge. The recently announced budget of President George W. Bush is a strong predictor of how the United States will enter into the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development. The proposed cuts indicate that the United States will be unable and unwilling to take a leading role in educating students to work for viable and sustainable communities at home, much less abroad. This will be another missed opportunity for the United States to take a leading international role in education. The budget cuts, if enacted, will consign more students to low employment opportunities and poverty.