Cadmus (Mar 2023)
Human Security, Culture and Protection of Humanity’s Heritage
Abstract
WAAS should be credited for its contribution to promoting integrated, multidisciplinary approaches to tackling global problems, emphasizing the importance of science, education and culture in their entirety, in recognising their close interdependence and interconnection. In the Millennium Development Goals and in the Human Development concept before, there was one missing link—the recognition of culture and heritage protection as critical for human development. This recognition was finally made in 2015 with the adoption of the UN Agenda 2030, which emphasized that while safeguarding and promotion of heritage and culture is an end in itself, at the same time it contributes directly to many of the SDGs—safe and sustainable cities, decent work and economic growth, reducing inequalities, protecting the environment, promoting gender equality, peaceful and inclusive societies. It represents thus a true shift in the understanding of how much the issues of identity and belonging, diversity, culture and heritage are critical for sustainable development. The launch of the campaign on Human Security with the support of the United Nations goes into the heart of such an understanding and approach. Placing culture at the heart of development policies does not mean to confine and fix it in a conservative way, but on the contrary—to invest in the potential of local resources, knowledge, skills and materials to foster creativity and sustainable progress. Recognition and respect for the diversity of cultures also creates the conditions for mutual understanding, dialogue and peace.
