Proudly supported by the Donaldson Conservation Trust
Graham BrewerThe University of Newcastle
Graham is the executive director of CIFAL Newcastle, an international training centre for authorities and leaders affiliated to the UN through its parent body the United Nations Institute for Training and Research. Its core specialism is in disaster risk reduction and the incorporation of the Sendai Framework into planning and action for both public and private sector organisations. In common with the other 15 CIFALs worldwide it has a mandate to promote awareness of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals and progress towards its targets through capacity building.
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Abstract
Using the UN SDGs to bring benefits to sustainable tourism projects.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) provide us with the design brief for the world we need by 2030. Every nation undertakes to report its progress towards their achievement, and they provide plenty of scope for innovation and creativity. Meaningful progress relies upon partnerships between public, private and civil society players.
Applying the UN SDGs to development involving cultural heritage and tourism reveals that whilst the benefits of such exploitation can be substantial -- employment and the preservation of heritage – it must be addressed with cultural sensitivity. Trade-off between absolute authenticity through preservation, and durability in the face of popularity may be required. Without considered intervention the cultural heritage of a region or nation can be obliterated in the name of progress; the richness of a society hinges upon celebration of all facets of its cultural development.
With the dawning of the age of renewable energy the re-purposing of an old railway line that was created to serve the coal industry might seem anachronistic. However this ribbon of economic infrastructure is part of our history, and can once again become a stream of economic, environmental and social benefit to the communities through which it passes and to the wider community. Application of the UN SDGs to such a project enables the identification and quantification of such benefits, and demonstrates that local action can have global impact.
Using the UN SDGs to bring benefits to sustainable tourism projects.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) provide us with the design brief for the world we need by 2030. Every nation undertakes to report its progress towards their achievement, and they provide plenty of scope for innovation and creativity. Meaningful progress relies upon partnerships between public, private and civil society players.
Applying the UN SDGs to development involving cultural heritage and tourism reveals that whilst the benefits of such exploitation can be substantial -- employment and the preservation of heritage – it must be addressed with cultural sensitivity. Trade-off between absolute authenticity through preservation, and durability in the face of popularity may be required. Without considered intervention the cultural heritage of a region or nation can be obliterated in the name of progress; the richness of a society hinges upon celebration of all facets of its cultural development.
With the dawning of the age of renewable energy the re-purposing of an old railway line that was created to serve the coal industry might seem anachronistic. However this ribbon of economic infrastructure is part of our history, and can once again become a stream of economic, environmental and social benefit to the communities through which it passes and to the wider community. Application of the UN SDGs to such a project enables the identification and quantification of such benefits, and demonstrates that local action can have global impact.
Presentation
Using the UN SDGs to bring benefits to sustainable tourism projects
Presented on 27th September 2017 at the Active Transport: The Richmond Vale Rail Trail Conference (2017)
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