按香港教統局的建議，二零零九年開始實行的新高中學制，將包括通識教育（通識科）為一個學生必須修讀的科目。本文將以「可持續發展」概念（「可持續」）為例子，指出作為必修的核心科目，通識科可以與其他選修的專科相輔相成，協助學生理解一些重要的現世議題。文章首先會檢視新高中通識科的課程宗旨和目標，與及有關「可持續」的單元內容。接著會探索一些選修專科課程怎樣處理「可持續」的教學，並和通識科作出比較。地理、生物和經濟是三個最為相關的科目，亦是此部份的焦點。最後，建基於上面的探討，文章會指出課程規劃當局應小心選取新高中通識科課程內容，以便能以最有效率的方法，向學生傳授最有價值的知識、技能和價值觀。
In Hong Kong, the EMB has suggested adding Liberal Studies (LS) as a core subject for the new senior secondary (NSS) curriculum which will begin in 2009. This paper uses the concept of sustainable development (SD) as an example to illustrate how LS can complement other elective subjects in the teaching of important contemporary issues. The focus will be on how the NSS-LS and others (in particular Geography, Biology and Economics) treat the concept of SD in their curricula. Based on the discussion, this paper will highlight the importance of selecting appropriate content for the LS curriculum.