Social Dynamics and Sustainability

Suzanne Hanchett, Ph.D.Planning Alternatives for Change LLC

Presentation to International Congress of Anthropological and Ethnological Sciences, Manchester University, August 2013

MILLENIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS (MDG)

• Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger

• Achieve universal primary education

• Promote gender equality and empower women

• Reduce child mortality • Improve maternal health • Combat HIV/AIDS,

malaria, and other diseases

• Ensure environmental sustainability

• Develop a global partnership for development

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDG): 2013 SDSN draft proposal

• End extreme poverty including hunger• Achieve development within planetary

boundaries• Ensure effective learning for all children and

youth for life and livelihood• Achieve gender equality, social inclusion, and

human rights• Achieve health and wellbeing at all ages• Improve agriculture systems and raise rural

prosperity• Empower inclusive, productive and resilient

cities• Curb human-induced climate change and

ensure clean energy for all• Secure ecosystem services, biodiversity and

good management of natural resources• Transform governance for sustainable

development

The Dominant View: Society-Economy-Environment as

Three Aspects of the “Sustainability “ Project(from Eichler 1999)

Alternative View: Biosphere + Human System (Eichler 1999)

“Social sustainability” occurs when formal and informal social processes, systems, structures, and relationships “actively support the capacity of current and future generations to create healthy and livable communities.”1 (Emma Partridge 2005, citing WACOSS 2002)

1Partridge identifies six criteria defining social sustainability: quality of life, equity, inclusion, access, a futures focus, and participatory processes.

Some of Social Anthropology’s Potential Contributions to Sustainability Research & Thinking

• Holistic perspective

• Analysis of social dynamics

• Empathy with and explanation of indigenous world views

• Flexibility in social problem solving

• Practical fieldwork skills that can support• New modes of involvement of socially excluded

groups• Evaluation studies

A Page on the 2013 Website of Bangladesh Water Development Board

Arsenic-contaminated Hand –pumped Tubewell, Bangladesh

The Pond Sand Filter

Social Sciences

Physical Sci., Biology, Engineering

SocialAnthro.

Sociology

Cultural Geography

Political Sci.

Public Health

Economics

New Types of Interdisciplinary Collaboration Are Needed:

Thank you for your participation

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