Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Development
6기 이수현
It has been quite some time since Kimchi has assumed the role as one of the most representative cuisines of Korea. However, recently Kimchi has been tangled into a contention in which China and Korea are on opposing sides regarding Kimchi’s origin. The dispute became a bigger issue when a famous Chinese Youtube contents creator Liziqi uploaded a video of making Kimchi and added “Chinese Cuisine” as a hashtag.[1] It has also been exposed that Google referred to Kimchi’s origin as China in several cases[2], intensifying the conflict. It is observable that nowadays even intangible properties such as cultural heritage are subject to controversy, or even worse, loss.
One could ask, “So what? This is none of my issue. Why is cultural heritage important anyway, and what does it have to do with sustainable development?” Nonetheless, losses of culture could be any culture’s and any one’s problem; one must acknowledge the severity of this matter. The significance of cultural heritage can be related to sustainable development, individual’s daily lives, and our future.
1) Cultural heritage
contributes to accepting our differences and finding new ways to tackle problems.
When languages or cultures are gone, humanity
not only loses its history but also the unique logic and viewpoints of each
culture. The various approaches of each culture toward new problems are vital
to empathy and understanding abilities. The more we are indifferent to cultural
preservation, the more homologous our minds become.[4] The inability to accept divergences can begin
countless conflicts. One must never dismiss from mind that the last but not
least goal of the SDGs is “Partnerships for the Goals”. Goal 17 cannot be
reached unless we all learn, understand, and respect each other’s cultures or perspectives
of the world. Furthermore, diverse views hold the possibility for providing
innovative ways of tackling new problems – an essential characteristic in the
fast-changing 21st century in which new complications arise
frequently.
2) SDGs Goal 8:
Decent Work and Economic Growth
Cultural heritage holds economic utility in that its preservation can attract tourists and encourage employment in related fields. According to a 2019 research, Korea’s tourism industry’s contributiveness to total GDP occupies only 3 percent. Out of 51 OECD countries, Korea was the last place.[5] Although Korea has a long way to go in the development of tourism, once our cultural heritage is more well-known, it could contribute to economic growth. This is not only confined to Korea but can be applied to every other community around the world.
3) Eco-friendly
Future Technology
Future technology can stretch out based on our traditional heritage. For instance, the corporation “Global Village Farm” produces a shower towel made of natural fiber using Korean paper. The towel’s processing procedure is ecological and even healthy for human skin.[7]
Ditches, narrow channels in the ground through which water flows, used to exist in traditional villages. Nowadays they are included in modern city plans. Ditches can function as cities’ visual attractions and lower the area’s temperature during hot summers. Similar technology has been applied in an eco-friendly city in Germany, Freiburg. Likewise, one can expect the advancement of tradition-based technology in future environmental projects.
Cultural heritage is our past, present, and
future. It is neither confined to our ancestors nor disconnected from our
today. It can serve as the milestone for intellectual competence, empathy,
economic growth, and future green technology.
[1] https://www.chosun.com/international/china/2021/02/03/6WGDT6GNEBD25N5TAWG43QI2JI/?utm_source=naver&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=naver-news
[2] http://news.kmib.co.kr/article/view.asp?arcid=0015506273&code=61172111&cp=nv
[3] https://chiefexecutive.net/a-diversity-lesson-from-hp-ceo-enrique-lores/
[4] https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/special-topics-art-history/arches-at-risk-cultural-heritage-education-series/arches-beginners-guide/a/what-is-cultural-heritage
[5] https://news.kbs.co.kr/news/view.do?ncd=5021911
[6] https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20210204170000003?input=1195m
[7] https://magazine.hankyung.com/business/article/201809187289b
Comments
Post a Comment