SDG18 Communication for All, Volume 1: The Missing Link between SDGs and Global Agendas

The 2030 agenda for development, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), is the most ambitious agenda collectively agreed upon by 193 countries. However, the framers of the agenda forgot to dedicate one goal focused on the role of communication in achieving the SDGs. Volume 1 provides an overview of what the contributors have termed as the "missing link" between existing SDGs: Communication for All.

Format: Hardback
Length: 299 pages
Publication date: 26 March 2023
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

The 2030 agenda for development, commonly referred to as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), represents the most ambitious collective agreement reached by 193 countries in human history. In 2015, the United Nations Member States adopted the 17 SDGs as a framework to address the pressing challenges facing humanity. These goals encompass a wide range of issues, including eradicating poverty, ending hunger, ensuring universal access to healthcare and education, and combating climate change. Moreover, the 2030 agenda emphasizes the importance of collaboration between individuals, communities, and nation-states to achieve global objectives.

However, it is disheartening to note that the framers of the 2030 agenda overlooked the crucial role of communication in achieving these SDGs. Communication plays a vital role in every aspect of development, and its absence in the SDGs is a significant gap. Without effective communication, it is nearly impossible to achieve the ambitious targets set forth in the agenda.

Today, development has become a communication issue, and communication is a development issue. The absence of a dedicated goal focused on communication in the SDGs highlights the need for a more comprehensive and integrated approach to development. The contributors to this volume have identified communication for all as the missing link between existing SDGs, recognizing its essential role in promoting social inclusion, equity, and sustainable development.

In Chapter 1, "Communication for All: A Fundamental Right and a Development Imperative," the authors argue that communication is a fundamental human right that should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances. They highlight the importance of communication in promoting social inclusion, reducing inequality, and fostering sustainable development. The chapter also explores the challenges faced by marginalized communities in accessing communication technologies and services, and the need for policies and initiatives to address these barriers.

Chapter 2, "Communication for Sustainable Development: A Multi-Stakeholder Approach," examines the role of communication in promoting sustainable development at the global, national, and local levels. The authors argue that communication is not just a tool for advocacy and awareness-raising but also a means of engaging stakeholders in decision-making processes and promoting collaborative action. They provide examples of successful communication strategies used in various development contexts and suggest ways to strengthen communication capacity at all levels.

Chapter 3, "Communication for Climate Action: Bridging the Gap between Science and Policy," explores the role of communication in addressing climate change. The authors argue that effective communication is essential for raising awareness about the impacts of climate change, mobilizing public support for climate action, and influencing policy decisions. They provide examples of successful communication campaigns and initiatives that have contributed to climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Chapter 4, "Communication for Health and Well-being: Empowering Individuals and Communities," examines the role of communication in promoting health and well-being. The authors argue that communication is not just a means of delivering health information but also a tool for empowering individuals and communities to take control of their health and well-being. They provide examples of successful communication strategies used in health promotion and disease prevention programs and suggest ways to strengthen communication capacity in healthcare settings.

Chapter 5, "Communication for Education: Transforming Lives and Societies," explores the role of communication in promoting education and literacy. The authors argue that communication is not just a means of transmitting knowledge but also a tool for promoting critical thinking, creativity, and social change. They provide examples of successful communication strategies used in education programs and suggest ways to strengthen communication capacity in education institutions.

Chapter 6, "Communication for Sustainable Tourism: Building Resilience and Community Engagement," examines the role of communication in promoting sustainable tourism. The authors argue that communication is not just a means of promoting tourism but also a tool for promoting sustainable practices, preserving cultural heritage, and building resilience in communities. They provide examples of successful communication strategies used in tourism development and suggest ways to strengthen communication capacity in tourism sectors.

Chapter 7, "Communication for Peace and Security: Promoting Dialogue and Conflict Resolution," explores the role of communication in promoting peace and security. The authors argue that communication is not just a means of preventing conflict but also a tool for promoting dialogue, understanding, and conflict resolution. They provide examples of successful communication strategies used in peacebuilding and conflict resolution programs and suggest ways to strengthen communication capacity in peacekeeping operations.

Chapter 8, "Communication for Sustainable Development: The Role of Media and Technology," examines the role of communication in promoting sustainable development through the use of media and technology. The authors argue that communication is not just a means of delivering information but also a tool for promoting social change, mobilizing public support, and influencing policy decisions. They provide examples of successful communication strategies used in media and technology-driven development initiatives and suggest ways to strengthen communication capacity in media and technology sectors.

In conclusion, the 2030 agenda for development presents a remarkable opportunity to address the pressing challenges facing humanity. However, the absence of a dedicated goal focused on communication in the SDGs highlights the need for a more comprehensive and integrated approach to development. By recognizing the role of communication in every aspect of development, we can create a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable world. The contributions to this volume provide valuable insights and strategies for promoting communication for all, and we hope that they will inspire policymakers, practitioners, and individuals to take action to achieve the SDGs and create a better future for all.

The 2030 agenda for development, commonly referred to as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), represents the most ambitious collective agreement reached by 193 countries in human history. In 2015, the United Nations Member States adopted the 17 SDGs as a framework to address the pressing challenges facing humanity. These goals encompass a wide range of issues, including eradicating poverty, ending hunger, ensuring universal access to healthcare and education, and combating climate change. Moreover, the 2030 agenda emphasizes the importance of collaboration between individuals, communities, and nation-states to achieve global objectives.

However, it is disheartening to note that the framers of the 2030 agenda overlooked the crucial role of communication in achieving these SDGs. Communication plays a vital role in every aspect of development, and its absence in the SDGs is a significant gap. Without effective communication, it is nearly impossible to achieve the ambitious targets set forth in the agenda.

Today, development has become a communication issue, and communication is a development issue. The absence of a dedicated goal focused on communication in the SDGs highlights the need for a more comprehensive and integrated approach to development. The contributors to this volume have identified communication for all as the missing link between existing SDGs, recognizing its essential role in promoting social inclusion, equity, and sustainable development.

In Chapter 1, "Communication for All: A Fundamental Right and a Development Imperative," the authors argue that communication is a fundamental human right that should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances. They highlight the importance of communication in promoting social inclusion, reducing inequality, and fostering sustainable development. The chapter also explores the challenges faced by marginalized communities in accessing communication technologies and services, and the need for policies and initiatives to address these barriers.

Chapter 2, "Communication for Sustainable Development: A Multi-Stakeholder Approach," examines the role of communication in promoting sustainable development at the global, national, and local levels. The authors argue that communication is not just a tool for advocacy and awareness-raising but also a means of engaging stakeholders in decision-making processes and promoting collaborative action. They provide examples of successful communication strategies used in various development contexts and suggest ways to strengthen communication capacity at all levels.

Chapter 3, "Communication for Climate Action: Bridging the Gap between Science and Policy," explores the role of communication in addressing climate change. The authors argue that effective communication is essential for raising awareness about the impacts of climate change, mobilizing public support for climate action, and influencing policy decisions. They provide examples of successful communication campaigns and initiatives that have contributed to climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Chapter 4, "Communication for Health and Well-being: Empowering Individuals and Communities," examines the role of communication in promoting health and well-being. The authors argue that communication is not just a means of delivering health information but also a tool for empowering individuals and communities to take control of their health and well-being. They provide examples of successful communication strategies used in health promotion and disease prevention programs and suggest ways to strengthen communication capacity in healthcare settings.

Chapter 5, "Communication for Education: Transforming Lives and Societies," explores the role of communication in promoting education and literacy. The authors argue that communication is not just a means of transmitting knowledge but also a tool for promoting critical thinking, creativity, and social change. They provide examples of successful communication strategies used in education programs and suggest ways to strengthen communication capacity in education institutions.

Chapter 6, "Communication for Sustainable Tourism: Building Resilience and Community Engagement," examines the role of communication in promoting sustainable tourism. The authors argue that communication is not just a means of promoting tourism but also a tool for promoting sustainable practices, preserving cultural heritage, and building resilience in communities. They provide examples of successful communication strategies used in tourism development and suggest ways to strengthen communication capacity in tourism sectors.

Chapter 7, "Communication for Peace and Security: Promoting Dialogue and Conflict Resolution," explores the role of communication in promoting peace and security. The authors argue that communication is not just a means of preventing conflict but also a tool for promoting dialogue, understanding, and conflict resolution. They provide examples of successful communication strategies used in peacebuilding and conflict resolution programs and suggest ways to strengthen communication capacity in peacekeeping operations.

Chapter 8, "Communication for Sustainable Development: The Role of Media and Technology," examines the role of communication in promoting sustainable development through the use of media and technology. The authors argue that communication is not just a means of delivering information but also a tool for promoting social change, mobilizing public support, and influencing policy decisions. They provide examples of successful communication strategies used in media and technology-driven development initiatives and suggest ways to strengthen communication capacity in media and technology sectors.

In conclusion, the 2030 agenda for development presents a remarkable opportunity to address the pressing challenges facing humanity. However, the absence of a dedicated goal focused on communication in the SDGs highlights the need for a more comprehensive and integrated approach to development. By recognizing the role of communication in every aspect of development, we can create a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable world. The contributions to this volume provide valuable insights and strategies for promoting communication for all, and we hope that they will inspire policymakers, practitioners, and individuals to take action to achieve the SDGs and create a better future for all.

Weight: 565g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031191411
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023