Statement of the Holy See at the High-level Interactive Dialogue on Culture and Sustainable Development “Culture as a global public good: Filling SDG implementation gaps beyond 2030”
New York, 5 July 2023
Madam President,
The Holy See welcomes the opportunity to participate in this interactive dialogue on Culture and Sustainable Development.
Culture is that fundamental dimension of human life through which every woman and man comes to a true and full humanity,[1] and so contributes to the common good. Thus, the integral development of the person and the good of society as a whole, which are fundamentally interrelated, are the essential ends of culture.[2]
Yet, the integrity of the human person and the cohesion of society are undermined by ideologies characterised by widespread individualism, egocentrism and materialistic consumerism. These fuel a sterile, ‘throwaway’ culture, which discards and abandons the weakest and those considered ‘useless.’[3]
Promoting a culture of care, encounter and solidarity is the most effective antidote to the proliferation of this throwaway mentality. This means “meeting others, seeking points of contact, building bridges, planning a project that includes everyone,”[4] to combat indifference and selfishness, which are often the foundation of a false proximity without authentic community. It also means respecting and defending the inherent dignity of every person, and valuing the unique perspective and contribution that each person brings to society.
Such a culture of care, encounter and solidarity is indispensable for sustaining efforts and inspiring actions to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. For example, this culture can stimulate measures to ensure that every man, woman, and child have access to inclusive and equitable quality education to enable them to achieve their full potential, assimilate fundamental values and virtues, and pursue their ultimate end, as well as the good of the societies of which they are members.[5] Simultaneously, education can promote and reinforce such a culture by fostering dialogue, integration and social friendship, and by countering social exclusion.
The Holy See, through the tireless commitment of its network of educational institutions, will continue to uphold a culture of care, encounter and solidarity, to ensure “that everyone has access to a quality education consonant with the dignity of the human person and our common vocation to fraternity.”[6]
I thank you.
[1] Cf. Pope Paul VI, Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes, 53.
[2] Cf. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 556.
[3] Cf. Pope Francis, Message for the XLVII World Day of Peace, 1 January 2014.
[4] Pope Francis, Encyclical Letter Fratelli Tutti, 216.
[5] Cf. Pope Paul VI, Declaration on Christian Education Gravissimum Educationis.
[6] Pope Francis, Message for the Launch of the Global Compact on Education, 12 September 2019.