18th Goal Sustainable Development
Heartfulness eMagazine|October 2019
ALAIN DESVIGNE asks why we have been so unsuccessful in implementing the 17 Sustainable Development Goals that officially came into force in 2016, and proposes an 18 th SDG that will allow us to fulfill all the others. This paper was first presented at the conference for “The Elevation of Consciousness Through Meditation for Global Harmony” in August 2019, at the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, India.
By Alain Desvigne
18th Goal Sustainable Development

The concept of sustainability was popularized in the Brundtland Report, published in 1987. This document, which was also referred to as Our Common Future, was elaborated for the United Nations in order to warn the world about the negative environmental consequences of economic development and globalization, with the aim of offering solutions to the problems arising from industrialization and population growth.

The concept of sustainability aims at achieving global wellbeing for present and future generations. In the report, the means to achieve that goal were provided and detailed around three essential pillars:

1. Environmental protection

2. Social development

3. Economic growth

It was on 1 January 2016, that the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development – adopted by world leaders in September 2015 at an historic UN Summit – officially came into force: a call to action to protect the planet and guarantee the global well-being of people.

Although the concept of sustainability was acknowledged by the world community back in the 1980s, and despite the fact that global awareness of sustainable development has been growing over the years, actual tangible results still fall short of any of the set goals.

Why is it so? One possible explanation is our lack of a sense of urgency.

As a species, do we realize that the crisis we face is unprecedented and represents potentially the greatest challenge humanity has ever faced? Do we realize that the impact on each one of us, i.e. individuals, families, communities and ultimately nations, is absolutely key to shaping our collective destiny?

This story is from the October 2019 edition of Heartfulness eMagazine.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the October 2019 edition of Heartfulness eMagazine.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM HEARTFULNESS EMAGAZINEView All
WHO SHOULD I BE?
Heartfulness eMagazine

WHO SHOULD I BE?

SARA BUBBER brings us a story based on the famous Japanese tale \"The Stonecutter,\" followed by a fun coloring activity from the story.

time-read
2 mins  |
March 2024
Being Funny
Heartfulness eMagazine

Being Funny

BO JOHNSON is interviewed by SURAJ SEHGAL about being a stand-up comedian, the humanity behind humor, and the nerves around how it will be received. He also reminds us why we need humor more than ever before.

time-read
7 mins  |
March 2024
Salt: A Culinary Staple with a Rich History in India
Heartfulness eMagazine

Salt: A Culinary Staple with a Rich History in India

SRAVAN BANDA is a Ph.D. scholar in Biophilia and Wetlands, and Commodore KAMLESH KUMAR is CMD of Hindustan Salts Ltd. Here, they share the history of one of the most important condiments we use in our food-salt!

time-read
3 mins  |
March 2024
Connecting with Life
Heartfulness eMagazine

Connecting with Life

VASCO GASPAR asks us to explore how we can become truly alive. Like Einstein, he invites us to remove the delusion of separateness and connect with the whole. He challenges us to move from \"ego to eco,\" and gives us the tools to manifest the world of the Heart.

time-read
3 mins  |
March 2024
A Note on Love
Heartfulness eMagazine

A Note on Love

TEJESHWAR SINGH shares his perspective on the nature and nuances of love.

time-read
3 mins  |
March 2024
LIVING VOICE
Heartfulness eMagazine

LIVING VOICE

MERETE NØRGAARD is in dialogue with EMILIE MOGENSEN. Through her company, Living Voice (www.livingvoice.dk), Merete works with leaders and communicators, helping them become better speakers, strengthen their voices, and achieve authentic leadership. Her book, The Magic of the Voice, is a guide to understanding the voice as an instrument and a muscle to be trained.

time-read
9 mins  |
March 2024
Faster and Shallower
Heartfulness eMagazine

Faster and Shallower

DR. ICHAK ADIZES explores how the speed and depth of our activities impact the quality of the work we do and the lives we lead. What message do you take from his thoughts, and what do you feel?

time-read
2 mins  |
March 2024
HOW YOGA REGENERATES US
Heartfulness eMagazine

HOW YOGA REGENERATES US

SAT BIR SINGH KHALSA is interviewed by VICTOR KANNAN about research and the applications of yoga in modern life. Dr. Khalsa has been an instructor of Kundalini Yoga since 1973, and conducted research on yoga since 2001 on insomnia, chronic stress, anxiety-related disorders, and in workplace and public school settings. He is medical editor of the Harvard Medical School Special Report, Introduction to Yoga, and chief editor of the medical textbook, The Principles and Practice of Yoga in Health Care.

time-read
7 mins  |
March 2024
The Secret to Change: TAKE IT MINUTE BY MINUTE
Heartfulness eMagazine

The Secret to Change: TAKE IT MINUTE BY MINUTE

MAMATA SUBRAMANYAM reflects on her own processes of change, and realizes that there is an easier way to move forward-one that doesn't involve self-recrimination and instant gratification. She explores incremental change, minute by minute, embracing the messy process that goes with it, and sets herself a brighter vision for how to live her life.

time-read
4 mins  |
March 2024
A DIY Guide to Well-Being
Heartfulness eMagazine

A DIY Guide to Well-Being

ICHHA BHAN is a counselor and life coach with an interest in positive change, resilience, and transformation. By helping people connect with their authentic selves and unlock their potential, she is on a mission to empower and inspire others on their wellness journey.

time-read
3 mins  |
March 2024