European inventory of
societal values of culture

De Beukelaer & Freitas - Culture and Sustainable Development

De Beukelaer, C., Freitas, R. (2015). Culture and Sustainable Development: Beyond the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. In: De Beukelaer, C., Pyykkönen, M., Singh, J.P. (eds) Globalization, Culture, and Development. Palgrave Macmillan, London. ISBN 978-1-137-39762-1

The 2005 UNESCO Convention provides an explicit link between the protection and promotion of the diversity of cultural expressions and sustainable development in Article 13 and development cooperation in Articles 14–18. However, the Convention leaves out broader notions of cultural diversity, which include culture as a way of life and cultural rights. Therefore, the authors argue, the reductionist understanding of culture does not necessarily or intrinsically have the potential for sustainable development that is claimed in the 2005 Convention. As a result, the link between the diversity of cultural expressions and sustainability has limited potential for transformative action towards sustainable development.

De Beukelaer & Freitas “Culture and Sustainable Development: Beyond the Diversity of Cultural Expressions”