Support of spirituality and traditional culture to achieve sustainable development goals

Abstract

‘Sustainable Development Goals’ is the Mission set by the United Nations to reduce poverty and provide basic needs to ensure food security and better quality of life. However with a wide variation in the socio-economic status among different sections of the societies, people with better knowledge, resources and social status are able to dominate others, constantly widening the economic disparity. The exploitation of the poor by rich has been going on ever since the origin of the human races. Knowing the attitude to crave for more, the spiritual scholars of different religions have developed their moral code of conduct, which is expected to be followed to maintain harmony and happiness within the community. If some of the basic principles such as selfless service, control on greed, non-violence, honesty and compassion, etc. are practiced in our daily life, the earth would have plenty of food and other resources to meet the needs of all, and the weaker sections of the society need not struggle to earn their livelihood. Similarly, if all the persons engaged in implementing the sustainable development programme take their jobs as their moral obligation, then the chances of success of the programme will be certain. Hence, spiritual orientation should be an integral part of the Sustainable Human Development.