Ethical Imperialism Versus Ethical Relativism: The Case for Pluralism When Teaching SDGs to International Students

Lynn Gribble and Chris Campbell ()
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Lynn Gribble: UNSW Sydney Business School, School of Management & Governance, UNSW Business School, UNSW Sydney, Level 5, UNSW Business School Building, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
Chris Campbell: Canberra School of Professional Studies, UNSW Canberra, 37 Constitution Ave, Reid ACT, Canberra, NSW 2601, Australia

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 18, 1-14

Abstract: Universities continue to offer international students opportunities to study abroad and gain an education in a highly ranked, world-recognised system, providing exposure to a broad cultural experience. While students cite that gaining exposure to a culturally different experience enhances study opportunities, there are also deeper considerations in globalised education. It is important to recognise that diverse classrooms may experience philosophical dichotomies. As business education across the world is increasingly using the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to underpin programmes that also address sustainability, these dichotomies cannot be ignored. This paper explores how educators must be aware of how complex culturally referenced norms are questioned when SDGs are incorporated into programmes. Using an action learning cycle of observation, action, and results, and drawing upon the example of teaching ethics and SDGs to large cohorts of international university students, we explain how transformative learning can occur without students feeling judged for past practices and experiences that are situated in culturally accepted norms that breach the SDGs. This paper thus provides practical ideas for teaching SDGs and includes the importance of understanding culturally referenced norms in light of the SDGs when teaching international students.

Keywords: international student cohorts; cultural humility; ethical imperialism; ethical relativism; ethical pluralism; sustainable development goals; SDGs; business education (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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