“SDGs are not a matter of social responsibility, but a sustainability obligation”
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are an initiative driven by United Nations to provide continuity to the development agenda, they have been adapted for every country, but also require the involvement of the private sector. Under this proposition, the Catalonian Family Business Association (ASCEF), organized a session conducted by Silvia Urarte, a Full Professor teaching Corporate Social Responsibility at Universitat Oberta de Catalunya.
The lecture, besides analyzing Agenda 2030’s 17 general goals, sought to demonstrate the practical link between these SDGs and businesses’ operations, as well as align their strategic goals with the different SDGs. “SDGs shall be part of the business culture and become a corporate asset of the business“, asserted Silvia Urarte.
“Governments are the main responsible entities for Agenda 2030, but the participation and involvement of the private sector is required to fulfill the different SDGs. It is not a matter of social responsibility, but rather an obligation for sustainability“, explained Urarte.
Among the SDGs stands out “universality” and transversality. “They are global as they are designed for every country and universal as they are designed for every person.” Their transversality is explained by the fact that working on the application of one of them involves the fulfillment of the other. For example, Objective 8 (to promote an inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent employment for everybody) is related to Objective 12 (to ensure sustainable consumption and production practices).
You may review all the information about the lecture through the link provided on the web site’s private section.