Global expert : the religion of words

Abstract. In the Brundtland report, certain notions such as «sustainable development», «ecodevelopment», «integrated development» shine forth like beacons and have since been taken up by international organisations. Intended originally for politicians and administrators, these expressions have now become part of the vocabulary of experts and scientists. Starting form situations in which expertise in the integrated management of coastal zones has been provided in an international context, the process is described of expert evaluation, the semantics used, the know-how exploited to target practices towards «sustainable management» ofthe environment.