It’s Time for Peace Goals: A New Vision for 2030 and Beyond
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have become a cornerstone of global efforts (thus far not sufficiently successful) to create a better world. But what if we’ve been looking at them the wrong way? What if the very foundation of the SDGs – sustainability – is actually just one piece of a much larger puzzle? I argue that the SDGs are fundamentally a misnomer, contributing to conceptual confusion and ineffective action.
As a peace researcher and advocate, I propose a transformative shift in perspective: from Sustainability Goals to Peace Goals for 2030 and beyond. Here’s why this change is not only necessary but also urgent.
The Problem with "Sustainability" as the Core
Sustainability, as a motivator to take action for human survival, is undoubtedly critical. However, framing the SDGs around sustainability implies that it is the ultimate goal. Yet, this entails many problems, as I discuss in my dissertation (Business for Peace: A New Paradigm for Making a Collective Living). In reality, sustainability is just one aspect of a broader purpose: peace. The terms “positive impact”, “sustainability”, and “responsibility” are widely used as attempts to mitigate the negative impacts of business, but their adequacy in offering substantial solutions related to the complexities of the business-society relationship is questioned. While these terms acknowledge the need to contribute to societal wellbeing and environmental preservation, they ultimately fall short in capturing the broader scope and depth of the challenges we face.
Think about it: How can we ensure clean water, gender equality, economic growth, or climate action without first addressing the systemic conflicts and inequalities that undermine these efforts? Peace isn’t just one of the 17 SDGs; it’s the foundation that enables all the others to thrive.
Peace transcends sustainability because it encompasses every aspect of human and environmental wellbeing. It’s not simply the absence of war; it’s the presence of, and indeed the substance of, positive impact at every level—personal, societal, and global. Here’s why peace should guide our efforts:
Peace is Inclusive: It brings together economic, social, and environmental goals under one unifying framework.
Peace Enables Progress: Without peaceful societies, development efforts are stalled or reversed.
Peace Drives Innovation: A peaceful world fosters creativity, collaboration, and solutions to complex challenges.
By shifting our focus to Peace Goals, we can create a vision for a future where sustainability, justice, and prosperity are inherent outcomes, not just aspirations.
What Would Peace Goals Look Like?
Imagine a world where global priorities align with the principles of the expanded concept of peace. The Peace Goals would move beyond the limited lens of sustainability to focus on peace as a higher-order concept that underpins all positive impacts in society. Drawing on the findings from my dissertation, here’s how these goals could take shape:
Nonwar and Weak Peace:
Establish frameworks to address and eliminate systemic violence, including economic inequality and environmental harm.
Foster inclusivity and diversity through proactive policies that prevent cultural and structural violence.
Strong Peace:
Prioritize the presence of positive societal values such as justice, equity, and thriving communities.
Design and deliver ethical products and services that contribute directly to human and environmental wellbeing.
Holistic Peace:
Align with a transrational understanding of peace, where business, governance, and societal practices aim for moral and spiritual excellence.
Promote leadership models that transcend self-interest and nurture a collective consciousness of interdependence and collaboration.
Measurement and Accountability:
Introduce tools like the Business Peace Index (BPI) to evaluate and benchmark contributions to peace across various sectors.
Incorporate peace as a core metric in organizational assessments, much like sustainability indices are used today, though ineffectively.
Integration of Peace into Business Strategy:
Shift from merely "doing less harm" to "creating more good" through innovative, peace-centric business practices.
Encourage companies to see themselves not just as profit-generating entities but as custodians of societal and planetary wellbeing, that is, peace.
These goals would represent a paradigm shift, embedding peace at the heart of global and organizational strategies. To make this a reality, we need champions who believe in the transformative power of peace. If this vision resonates with you, let’s connect to discuss how you or your organization can contribute to this movement.
This approach would transform how we measure progress, ensuring that every action contributes to a peaceful and sustainable future.
Together, we can redefine the future of business and development, making peace the central pillar of progress. 🌍✨
Join the Movement for Peace Goals
Shifting from Sustainability Goals to Peace Goals isn’t just a theoretical idea—it’s a call to action for governments, businesses, and individuals. It’s a chance to redefine our collective purpose and work toward a vision that places peace at the heart of everything we do.
If this vision resonates with you, let’s talk. I’d love to explore how we can collaborate to advocate for Peace Goals and make this idea a reality. Whether you’re a policymaker, business leader, or changemaker, there’s a role for everyone in this movement.