Incorporating Cultural Dimensions in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Culture is a critical factor for human development, welfare, democracy, peace and security. However, the integration of culture in the development processes is still debatable. Theoretically, culture has been widely recognized as integral part of socio-economic development, but practically, it is not sufficiently and consistently incorporated in development processes and, in turn, it is still an immeasurable development variable. The main purpose of this research is to address culture in its relationship with development. This relationship is addressed from two perspectives, an observational and analytical perspective and a computational perspective.
Analytically, the researchers try to answer key question which is why culture integration in development processes is problematic? In this regard the researchers conduct a brief review of the path towards integrating culture in development and the position of culture on the agenda of the international community from the 1960s to the present. Computationally, the researchers try to answer another key question which is how culture could be integrated in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The researchers propose the Social Network Analysis (SNA) as practical tool to monitor the linkages between cultural indicators and the SDGs indicators and to highlight the SDGs that are most influenced by culture.