Our lives are supported by the culture and traditions developed throughout our long history. In the society of the future, sustainability will be an important theme.
Basic Knowledge
Culture includes science・art・religion and enriches human spiritual activities. Japan has intangible cultural heritage such as washoku, kabuki, Noh, and washi. Seasonal annual events and dialects in each region are also important cultural resources.
At the same time, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been established worldwide, aiming to achieve 17 goals concerning poverty・climate change・education・gender and other issues by 2030. We are also expected to act as participants in a sustainable society.
Culture (the spiritual and material achievements that human beings have built over a long history)
Intangible cultural heritage (intangible cultural assets such as traditional performing arts and craft techniques. Designated by UNESCO)
Annual events (traditional events repeated according to the seasons. New Year's・Setsubun・Shichi-Go-San and others)
SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals＝17 sustainable development goals)
Sustainable society (a society that develops without harming the well-being of future generations)
Conflict and consensus (in society, it is important to overcome conflicts of opinion and build consensus)
Further Study (Background・Significance)
While cultural standardization is progressing through globalization, efforts to protect the unique cultures of each region are also active. Washoku was registered as UNESCO intangible cultural heritage in 2013 and is highly regarded worldwide.
The SDGs were adopted at a United Nations summit in 2015 and are based on the principle of leaving no one behind. Sustainability, which balances economic growth and environmental protection, is increasingly reflected in corporate activities and our consumption habits (eco-bags, recycling, fair-trade products, and others).
- Culture＝science・art・religion and others
- Intangible cultural heritage＝traditional performing arts・crafts and others(washoku・kabuki)
- SDGs adopted in 2015・17 goals・target year 2030
- Principle of the SDGs＝leaving no one behind
- Sustainable society＝development that considers future generations
- Changing conflict into consensus＝fairness and efficiency
- Familiar practices such as fair trade・recycling
Points to Note (Easily Confused)
① Do not confuse tangible cultural properties (buildings・paintings) with intangible cultural properties (techniques・performing arts). ② The SDGs were adopted in 2015 and are to be achieved by 2030. They succeeded the MDGs (Millennium Development Goals, 2000-2015). ③ Fairness means equality of procedures and opportunities, while efficiency means eliminating waste. Balancing both is important. ④ Sustainability includes not only the environment but also the economy・society.
Practice
- In what year were the SDGs adopted, and by what year are they to be achieved?
- Give one example of intangible cultural heritage.
- Complete the phrase expressing the principle of the SDGs: “Leaving no one ○○○○○○.”