The SDG18 and the two cultural purposes at large: towards a new pillar of sustainability?

Seixas, Paulo Castro; Dias, Ricardo Cunha; Lobner, Nadine; Vidal, Diogo Guedes

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.2/20665

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In the past 6 years that have followed the initial launch of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a discussion on its extension (SDG + 1/SDG18) emerged. The SDG18 quest is interpreted as a collective pursuit for meaning on SDGs and the future of our planet, based on 23 different proposals. This article aims at a detailed analysis of these 23 proposals and their meanings within the SDGs framework which directly connects with urban trends and transitions. Methodologically, this paper is supported by online research on SDG18 proposals and a content analysis. This leads to three main categories based on the criteria of aims/claims for the SDG18: (1) country ownership as national interest; (2) societal cooperation as both a fear and an emphasis of the SDG framework and (3) cultural purposes. Throughout our analysis, the latter category resonates with the core dyads of humanity: nomadic–sedentary and rural–urban. The category was divided in two subcategories: an Anthropic Techno-explosion Purpose (a nomadic-urban-progress trend) and an Ecologic Consciousness Purpose (a sedentary-rurban-degrowth trend). These are what we describe as the two Purposes at Large, framing the dialogue about our future as human beings. Finally, assuming the relevance of this dialogue, we urge the General Secretary of the UN to create an annually SDG18 Forum.