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

Description

The 2030 agenda for development, or what is known as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), is the most ambitious agenda collectively agreed upon by 193 countries in human history. In 2015, the UN Member States adopted the 17 SDGs as a framework that would help address the challenges being faced by humanity. From eradicating poverty, ending hunger, providing universal access to healthcare and education, and addressing climate change; to the partnering of individuals, communities, and nation-states to achieve global goals. Yet, the framers of the 2030 agenda forgot to dedicate one goal focused on the role of communication in achieving the SDGs. It is nearly impossible to achieve the SDGs without the articulation and embrace of the role of communication in development. Today, development has become a communication issue, and communication is a development issue. How could such a vital pillar of life be missing in the UN's Sustainable Development Goals? Volume 1 provides an overview of what the contributors have termed as the 'missing link' between existing SDGs: Communication for All. SDG18 Communication for All, Volume 1 The Missing Link between SDGs and Global Agendas Copyright Preface and Overview of the Books Overview of Volume 1: The Missing Link Between SDGs and Global Agendas Overview of Volume 2: Regional Perspectives and Special Cases Acknowledgments Contents Notes on Contributors Abbreviations List of Figures List of Tables Chapter 1: Introduction: The Need for an 18th Sustainable Development Goal—Communication for All From MDGs to SDGs The Pre-history Communication and Culture Still Missing Other Gaps and Omissions Sustainable Development Communication and Culture Digital Inclusion Human and Indigenous Rights The SDGs Beyond the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Ukraine “War of Attrition”, and Increasing Inequality SDG18-Communication for All Crucial Factors Finance Political Will Communication for Development Another Timeframe and Main Objective Needed Conclusion References Chapter 2: Communication and Information Poverty in the Context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): A Case for SDG 18—Communication for All Introduction Communication and Development A Rights-Based View of Communication How Communication and Information Poverty Undermines the Vision of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) SDG 5: Gender Equality Recommendations to Address Communication and Information Poverty from a Gender Perspective in the Context of Agenda 2030 SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals Recommendations to Leverage Increased Access to ICTs and to the Internet in Order to Address Communication and Information Poverty SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions Recommendations to Address Communication and Information Poverty in the Context of SDG 16 SDG 18: Communication for All Democratizing Communication and Information Ecosystems Recommendations to Promote Civil Society Participation in Policymaking About Communication and Information Investing in Media Literacy for the Digital Age Marginalized and Historically Excluded Communities Conclusion Annex: List of Activists Who Participated in the Drafting of These Recommendations References Chapter 3: Significance of Communication Studies to SDGs: (Re)setting Global Agendas Introduction Setting Global Agenda for SDGs Intercultural Communication: Shared Values for SDGs Political Communication: Realpolitik for SDGs Conclusion References Chapter 4: Sustainable Development Goals and Communication as a Commons in the Context of Extractive Capitalism: Tensions and Possibilities Introduction Contextualising: The SDG 18 and Communication for Sustainable Growth in the Age of Extractive and Digital Capitalism Two Contradictory Inertias: The Good Intentions of the United Nations and the Predatory Logic of Capitalism Capitalism and the Struggle Against the Commons Communication for Sustainable Development in a New Context Lessons Learned from the Stage of Dependency Communication Understood as a Commons Proposals for the SDG 18 Understood as a Commons References Chapter 5: Six Information and Communication Dynamics That Call for the Adoption of an 18th Sustainable Development Goal Introduction The Six Forces Information Overload Defective Information Directionality Scarce Attention Competition Propaganda Oblivion A Coalition to Antagonise Development Communication The Stacked Impact of the Forces on Intelligence and on Growth Sovereign Interest and Intelligence Failures Western Model of Development and Growth Wicked Problems as the Six Forces ‘Perfect Storms’ Approaches to Tackle the Six Forces Conclusions References Chapter 6: The Role of Strategic Communication in Gender Equality Activism and Collective Action: Illustrating the Need for SDG18 Introduction Reframing Public Relations Perspectives on Activism and Activists SDG18—Communication for All: Enhancing Civil Society Advocacy Methodology: Public Relations Ethnographic Approach Research Design Case Study: Ethnographic Immersion UMAR and Expert Consultation Data Sampling and Sources Data Analysis and Reduction Findings: Ethnographic Immersion UMAR Type of Activism Main Communication and Organizational Challenges Expert Consultation Discussion and Conclusion References Other Sources Chapter 7: Media Literacy and Conflict: Understanding Mediated Communication for the Achievement of Peace and Development Introduction Media Literacy and the Role of Communication in the SDGs Media in Conflict: Opportunity or Threat? Media Literacy Through C4D for Young People in Conflict Understanding Harmful Media Messages Developing Peace-Oriented Participatory Content Upholding and Promoting Peace What SDG18 Means for Media Literacy Conclusions References Chapter 8: Creating Safe Communication Spaces Amidst the Disinformation Quandary Introduction Communication as a Human Right Understanding Disinformation Conceptual Framework Disinformation Threatens SDGs SDG3 Good Health and Well-being SDG 4 Quality Education SDG 5 Gender Equality SDG 10 Reduce Inequalities SDG13 Climate Action SDG 16.10 Ensure Public Access to Information Creating Safe Spaces: The Role of an SDG Addressing the Source Balancing the Message Clearing Up the Channels of Distribution Decreasing the Impact of Disinformation Conclusion References Chapter 9: Communicating the SDGs: Formulating Performance Metrics for Higher Education Institutions Introduction Guiding Universities and Measuring Progress Toward the SDGS Developing the THE Impact Rankings Communicating the SDGs A Closer Look at the Top Ranked Universities Communicating the SDGs: Teaching and Research Communicating the SDGs: Stewardship Communicating the SDGs: Community Outreach Recommending Performance Metrics for SDG 18 Appendix: Communication and SDG-related Books, Book Chapters and Research Papers (2011 to 2021) Featured in RMIT Website References Chapter 10: SDG-18 Communication for All: The Tool We Need for Real Development and Social Change Introduction What Is Sustainable Development and Why Do the SDGs Matter? What We Already Have But Are Not Using to Its Full Potential Why Is the Post COVID-19 Context a Perfect Playground To Change Communication for Development and Promote SDG-18: Communication for All? Conclusions and Recommendations References Chapter 11: Conclusion: SDG18—The Soul of An Ambitious Agenda—Communication and the Match Towards Sustainability in the COVID-19 Century Introduction Communication and Sustainability The Rat Problem: Bureaucrats, Technocrats, and ‘Politicocrats’ Information As Means of Communication Between People Information As an Instrument of Understanding and Knowledge Between People Technological Inventions and Breakthroughs Instantaneous Transmission of Information Between Regions of the Globe Way Forward References Index