Rilie Smith
March 1, 2023
The significance of belonging is rooted in the combination of collective social activities that affirm identity for communities, individuals and families. The concept of belonging is based on being a member and therefore could not be manifested without social connectedness as defined by the United Nations (UNESCO) of intangible cultural heritage (ICH). The safeguarding of ICH has allowed the sense of belonging to pervade urbanization and globalization, and with the help of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) a sense of universal belonging can continue to manifest itself sustainably through collective innovations.
As social animals, humanity has formed many essential methods for connecting with each other and the planet on which we live. These interactions are outlined by five domains of living heritage; language, performing arts, social practices, nature and universe, and traditional craftmanship (UNESCO). The ‘living’ aspect of heritage refers to the constant creative process of transferring and reconceiving cultural practices in accordance with changing social and environmental conditions. The significance of these cultural processes is that they provide a universal sense of belonging through the mutual participation of communities, families and individuals to formally recreate the transmission of cultural practices when up against changing conditions.
It is vital to acknowledge that not only indigenous groups are responsible for cultural processes/practice, but individual people, businesses, and universities also contribute to shared world views and enable inclusivity so that all members of society are able to feel belonging; the importance lies within the intergenerational process of passing knowledge, ethics and skills that link us to our history, environment and values. Cultural diversity is important not solely in a global ethnic manner but includes sub-cultures and individuals as they also perform living culture, i.e., skateboarding, gamers, etc. The inclusion of all sub-cultures and individuals is the basis of what it means to belong in society of which diversity is necessary to, “reduce inequalities and vulnerabilities that leave people behind and undermine the potential of individuals and of humanity as a whole.” (UNSDG)
The Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (UNESCO) relies on innovation, an effect of social connectedness, for the reproduction of the transmittance of knowledge for it to permeate situational change. To safeguard ICH is to promote the vitality and growth of cultural processes that “meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.” (UNESCO) These notions are displayed by SDG 10 – reduce inequality and SDG 16 – peace, justice and institution and are a factor in creating sustainable universal equity and belonging. The issue here concerns the difference between equality, equity and justice; equity is inclusive in that everyone gets what they need (past, present, future) as opposed to equality where not everyone can benefit from the same support (diversity). The description of justice, in terms of SDG 16, refers to addressing the underlying issue and creating innovative solutions using social networking, which is a more sustainable strategy because it requires local, national and international collectivity.
As a Canadian First Nations, the sense of belonging is held deeply within our history and culture. Forming an identity in a colonized environment is difficult with the loss of our living heritage, but now is the time of innovation and recreation for our people. The innovation needed to keep our culture alive is encouraged by the SDG and safeguarding of ICH because the work needed first is in the most vulnerable of social sectors, of which North American culture is apart. The livelihood of our cultural practices takes creative innovation and strategic intergenerational planning, much like the SDGs provide for international sustainability. In-order-to adapt to the current situations of colonization and urbanization we draw from our social connected network to bring innovative ways to transmit the important ethics and values of our culture.
The sustainable continuation of belonging for individuals, groups and communities cannot exist without the dynamic nature and innovative abilities of social connectedness. It is impossible to imagine human innovation without social connectedness where there is an obvious social/economic value for the collective transmission of knowledge and ideas. When it comes to assuring the sense of belonging within society as well as ensuring its continuity, the relationships between urban and rural areas are mutually influenced by each other. SDG 17 – partnerships, shows that with a strong social connection between public/private and rural/urban sectors the lines become blurred due to common interests and goals. The SDGs ensure mutual participation from each sector of society and demonstrates the importance of how ICH connects environmental and historical ideals to be integrated into an inclusive support system.
In conclusion, the safeguarding of living heritage allows individuals, groups and communities to engage in the cycle of recreating cultural processes to maintain ideals that shape our identities and sense of belonging. Sustainable development limits the deterioration of intangible cultural heritage and allows for its vitality via social connectedness. To have international social, economic and environmental sustainability is to have sustainability for ICH and its inherent sense of belonging.
Citations
“Universal Values, Principal two: Leave No One Behind.”, UNSDG.org March 1, 2023. https://unsdg.un.org/2030-agenda/universal-values/leave-no-one-behind
“What is Intangible Cultural Heritage?”, UNESCO ICH. March 1, 2023. https://ich.unesco.org/en/what-is-intangible-heritage-00003