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Article published In: Language Problems and Language Planning
Vol. 41:3 (2017) ► pp.217–244

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“Leave no one behind”

Linguistic and digital barriers to the dissemination and implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

 | University of London
Published online: 19 February 2018
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https://doi.org/10.1075/lplp.00001.mce
Abstract
In September 2015 the United Nations (UN) adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) offering an internationally agreed blueprint for economic, environmental and social development. However those most in need and specifically targeted by the SDGs face significant barriers in accessing information and knowledge about the goals and sustainability in a language or medium that can be understood. Drawing on previous research on the UN’s language policy and practice (McEntee-Atalianis, L. J. (2006). ‘Geostrategies of interlingualism’: Language policy and practice in the International Maritime Organisation, London. p Current Issues in Language Planning, 7(2&3), 341–358. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar, (2015). Language policy and planning in international organisations. In U. Jessner-Schmid and C. Kramsch (Eds.), The multilingual challenge: Cross-disciplinary perspectives (pp. 295–322). Berlin: De Gruyter Mouton, Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar, (2016). A network model of language policy and planning: The United Nations as a case study. Language Problems and Language Planning, 40(2), 187–217. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar) and analyses of recent UN reports and resolutions on multilingualism, information policy and practice and the SDGs, this article examines the current status of multilingualism and information transfer within the Organisation. Significant linguistic and digital barriers are identified. It is argued that the UN must plan in more linguistically plural and inclusive ways by developing a tri-sectoral communication network strategy involving civil society, public and private sectors in order to facilitate knowledge transfer and participation, thereby ensuring that no one is left behind.
Résumé
“N'abandonner personne”: Les barrières linguistiques et digitales à la dissémination et l'implémentation des Objectifs de Développement Durable des Nations Unies
En septembre 2015 les Nations Unies (ONU) ont adopté 17 objectifs de développement durables pour le développement économique, environnemental et social. Cependant, ceux dont le besoin est le plus grand et qui sont directement visés par le programme font face à des barrières considérables pour avoir accès à l’information et au savoir concernant les objectifs et la durabilité dans un médium et un langage compréhensible. La présente contribution est basée sur de recherches antérieures sur la politique et les pratiques linguistiques de l’ONU (McEntee-Atalianis, L. J. (2006). ‘Geostrategies of interlingualism’: Language policy and practice in the International Maritime Organisation, London. p Current Issues in Language Planning, 7(2&3), 341–358. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar, (2015). Language policy and planning in international organisations. In U. Jessner-Schmid and C. Kramsch (Eds.), The multilingual challenge: Cross-disciplinary perspectives (pp. 295–322). Berlin: De Gruyter Mouton, Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar, (2016). A network model of language policy and planning: The United Nations as a case study. Language Problems and Language Planning, 40(2), 187–217. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar) ainsi que sur des analyses de rapports et de résolutions récentes sur le multilinguisme, la politique d’information et les pratiques pour les objectifs de développement durables. Elle se penche plus spécifiquement sur le statut actuel du multilinguisme et du transfert d’information au sein de l’ONU. Des barrières linguistiques et digitales significatives sont identifiées. Il ressort de l’étude que l’ONU doit développer une stratégie de réseau de communication tri-sectorielle qui est linguistiquement plurielle et inclusive. En réunissant la société civile, publique et les secteurs privés afin de faciliter la transmission de savoir et la participation, il est possible de s’assurer que nul n’est abandonné.
Resumo
“Postlasi neniun”: Lingvaj kaj digitaj bariloj al la disvastigo kaj realigo de la Celoj de UN por Daŭripova Evoluigo
En septembro 2015, Unuiĝintaj Nacioj (UN) akceptis 17 Celojn por Daŭripova Evoluigo (CDE) kiuj proponis internacie interkonsentitan planon por ekonomia, naturmedia kaj socia evoluigo. Tamen, la homoj kun plej grandaj bezonoj – kiujn la CDE specife celas – frontas signifajn barilojn al aliro al informoj kaj scioj pri la celoj kaj pri daŭripovo en lingvo aŭ medio kiun ili povu kompreni. Utiligante jam publikigitajn esplorojn pri la lingvopolitiko kaj lingvopraktiko de UN (McEntee-Atalianis, L. J. (2006). ‘Geostrategies of interlingualism’: Language policy and practice in the International Maritime Organisation, London. p Current Issues in Language Planning, 7(2&3), 341–358. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar, (2015). Language policy and planning in international organisations. In U. Jessner-Schmid and C. Kramsch (Eds.), The multilingual challenge: Cross-disciplinary perspectives (pp. 295–322). Berlin: De Gruyter Mouton, Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar, (2016). A network model of language policy and planning: The United Nations as a case study. Language Problems and Language Planning, 40(2), 187–217. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar) kaj analizojn de lastatempaj raportoj kaj rezolucioj de UN pri multlingvismo, informpolitiko kaj -praktiko rilate la CDE, la nuna artikolo ekzamenas la aktualan staton de multlingvismo kaj la transdonon de informoj ene de la Organizaĵo. Ĝi identigas signifajn lingvajn kaj digitajn barilojn. La artikolo argumentas, ke UN devas planadi laŭ lingve pli pluralismaj kaj inkluzivaj manieroj, evoluigante tri-sektoran komunikretan strategion kiu enprenu la civilan socion kaj publikan kaj privatan sektorojn cele al faciligo de sciotransdono kaj partoprenado. Tiumaniere, ĝi certigu, ke neniu postrestos.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
    • 1.1Aims
    • 1.2The global public sphere, civil society and the private sector
  • 2.Linguistic and media challenges facing the United Nations in its public information and outreach work
    • 2.1Critical review
  • 3.A tri-sectoral communication network strategy for information transfer
  • 4.Conclusion
  • Notes
  • References
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