. Heritage, Development, and the MDGs

Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are eight international objectives for the year 2015, which had been set in 2000 by the United Nations to combat poverty, hunger, disease, illiteracy, environmental degradation, and discrimination against women. The goals you mentioned are: Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger Goal 3: Promote gender equality and empower women Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability Goal 8: Develop a global partnership for development Heritage, either tangible or intangible, can play a significant role in achieving these goals. 1. Heritage and Goal 1: Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger: Heritage tourism, as an example, can significantly contribute to poverty reduction. Historic sites, artifacts, and cultures become sources of national income, providing jobs related to tourism and preserving industries. Economist Tyler Cowen argues in his book “Creative Destruction: How Globalization is Changing the World's Cultures” that the cultural exchange facilitated through globalization can promote economic growth and reduce poverty. 2. Heritage and Goal 3: Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women: Heritage can be used as a tool to promote gender equality by showcasing histories, stories, and achievements of women. The example of the Women's Rights National Historical Park in Seneca Falls, which commemorates the women's rights movement, can be used to illustrate this. Scholars like Nancy Fraser have argued that representations of women's contributions can serve to empower women and promote equality. 3. Heritage and Goal 7: Ensure Environmental Sustainability: Heritage often encompasses traditional knowledge about environmental sustainability and management. The Australian Aboriginals’ fire management techniques, for example, have been recognized for their ecological benefits. Scholar Dermot Smyth emphasizes the importance of indigenous knowledge in environmental management and conservation in his works. 4. Heritage and Goal 8: Develop a Global Partnership for Development: Heritage can serve as a medium for cultural exchange and understanding, promoting international cooperation. For instance, the World Heritage List under UNESCO works towards preserving significant sites, which fosters international collaboration. Scholars like Christina Cameron have highlighted the political dimensions of world heritage and the ways it can foster global partnerships. In conclusion, heritage can contribute to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals in a variety of ways - economic, social, environmental, and international solidarity.