Lesson 5: Intercultural Dialogue for a more Sustainable future: can ICD be a basis for the accomplishment of SDGs?

Key ESD Learning Themes

As it is shown, ESD is based on major learning topics, such as peace and human security, human rights, participatory decision-making, gender equality and cultural diversity that address economic, sociocultural, and environmental concerns related to sustainability. Some of these major learning themes are evident socio-cultural problems that are important to the sustainable development agenda, but also to culture strategies and programs.

Other major sustainable development issues are regarded to be part of the economic and environmental elements of sustainability, but their connections to culture are unavoidable, as well. Thus, it becomes all the more essential to explore possibilities and suggestions for mainstreaming cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue concepts, problems, and difficulties in ESD policies and strategy documents.

UNESCO, in close collaboration with the DESD Reference Group, the Monitoring and Evaluation Expert Group (MEEG), the International Advisory Group for the ESD World Conference and the United Nations Inter-Agency Committee for the DESD, has already started to design a multi-stakeholder consultative process to develop a strategic roadmap for the second half of the Decade (UNESCO, 2009c). This is a good opportunity to set in place targets to embed culture in ESD policies. The Bonn Roadmap will also involve the updating of some aspects of the DESD International Implementation Scheme, in which the relationships between ESD and culture could be strengthened and clearly addressed (UNESCO, 2009c).

At New Belgium Brewing, Katie Wallace focuses on building a joyful culture of sustainability. In the video “The Power of Culture in Driving Sustainability” from her participation as a TEDx speaker, you can see how her team works on engaging and empowering their more than 700 coworkers to accelerate their sustainability goals and leverage business as a force for good.

Intercultural dialogue is important for sustainable development because it improves mutual understanding among diverse stakeholders dealing with issues like gender, human rights, and climate change, as well as gaining a better understanding of public concerns and informing policy. Sustainable Development contributes to the economic and social growth of all people, as well as the conservation of natural resources. It is a complicated process since it involves cultural and societal shifts in people's views and lifestyles. New regulations and laws are required while it should not be neglected that target groups are different from decision-makers.

It is of paramount importance to establish ‘dialogue' for various levels of collaboration between states and civil society in order to accomplish the SDGs. Culture influences values, worldviews, and knowledge. They are essential to Sustainable Development because they foster mutual understanding and human experience, particularly in multi-ethnic society. As a result, encouraging conversation leads to more sustainable futures. Dialogue between various cultural communities should be encouraged in the development sector because it challenges people's differing beliefs and worldviews and helps to foster new ways of life and a sustainable future.