Triglav Circle 354 N. Prospect St. Oberlin, Ohio 44074
Triglav Europe Chateau de Cuy, Chougny, France 58110
31 January 2016
Commission for Social Development
Fifty-fourth session, New York, 3-12 February 2016
Item 3(a) Priority theme: rethinking and strengthening social development in the contemporary world
Statement by the Triglav Circle*
Thank you Chairperson,
The Triglav Circle was founded by participants in a seminar convened by the United Nations during the preparation of the 1995 World Summit for Social Development. The subject of this seminar was Ethical and Spiritual Dimensions of Social Progress.
During these past decades, social progress has been uneven and, in many domains, accompanied by social regression. This is amply documented in the excellent report of the Secretary-General on this priority theme.
In his most inspiring Encyclical Letter Laudato Si, Pope Francis noted that “decisions which may seem purely instrumental are in reality decisions about the kind of society we want to build,” and he emphasized that “the present ecological crisis is one small sign of the ethical, cultural and spiritual crisis of modernity.”
From this perspective, we wish to make a few comments on the Sustainable Development Goals and their implementation.
The Agenda for 2030 represents a vast improvement over the Millennium Development Goals. The new goals have a larger scope, a greater depth , and the instruments for monitoring and follow-up are much more elaborated.
Yet, two omissions are particularly glaring.
The first is the absence of a goal that specifically addresses the dysfunctions of the world economic and financial system.
This system has a clear responsibility for many problems of our time, including the aggravation of inequalities, the emergence of new forms of poverty and anomie and the continuing deterioration of our planet.
The assumption that seem to underlie the seventeen interconnected goals is that scientific and technological innovations and their proper financing and dissemination will be sufficient to render the world economy both beneficial to all and respectful of Nature. There would be no need for purposeful changes in the current process of globalization and the distribution and use of economic and financial power. This is a dubious assumption.
The second significant omission is the absence of reference to the development of international law and international norms.
No mention of international regulations is made, for instance with regard to the working conditions of people, or the suppression of tax havens. Absent also are commitments to strengthen the existing instruments for the respect of international human rights law and the development of humanitarian law.
Here, the assumptions appear to be that calls for good governance and for furthering multiple partnerships between all actors on the world scene, are adequate for the building of a peaceful and harmonious world. This is again a dubious assumption.
We wish to stress that this product of international cooperation, however imperfect it is, deserves the full support of all. During the implementation of the SDGs, it should be possible to enrich them, including by a continuing reflection on the meaning of familiar terms, such as progress, freedom, or partnerships.
We believe that positive results will be achieved if all actors continue to seek the common good, and if all are inspired by a common philosophy, namely the search for wisdom and truth.
This shared philosophy of life would be our best hope for our common humanity and our common home. And certainly, the Paris Accord is a good beginning.
Thank you for your kind attention.
*Statement written by Jacques Baudot and delivered by Charles Courtney.