The Future of Sustainable Development Goals and Culture: Addressing Missing Dimensions from Four Cosmovisions African Ubuntu, Latin-American Buen Vivir, Buddhist Happiness and Nordic Sami Arbediehtu

Dorine E. Norren () and Maren Seehawer
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Dorine E. Norren: Associate, University of Leiden, Van Vollenhoven Institute for Law, Governance and Society
Maren Seehawer: Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society

The European Journal of Development Research, 2025, vol. 37, issue 5, No 1, 884 pages

Abstract: Abstract The SDGs miss crucial dimensions when viewed from the cosmovisions of Ubuntu, Buen Vivir, Buddhist Happiness and Sami Arbediehtu. What principles can be derived from these cosmovisions to guide discussions after 2030? As methodology we use a dialogical intercultural philosophical reflection and a decolonial stance addressing planetary survival instead of sustainable development, to develop principles for after 2030, for example to be included in a Culture Goal using the transformative power of culture. After analysing and comparing the four cosmovisions, we suggest ‘Harmony with Nature’ as an umbrella planetary wellbeing concept. Other principles could be: (social SDGs:) harmony with oneself, others and nature; interculturality and epistemic diversity; community flourishing; balance of masculine and feminine values; intertwinement of spiritual, emotional, physical, communal health; serving others as educational goal; (green SDGs:) intrinsic value of nature as part of the community; recognizing ancestorial legacy and future generations’ needs; (economic SDGs:) economics of collective well-being, earth governance and society-oriented businesses; (SDG16:) participatory, ‘deep’ consensus oriented democracy; collective dignity, restorative justice; (SDG17 global partnership:) interdependence of all life.

Keywords: Sustainable development goals; Harmony with nature; African Ubuntu; Buddhist happiness; Indigenous Buen Vivir; Sami Arbediehtu worldview; De-coloniality; Interculturality (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1057/s41287-025-00708-6

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