Integrating music and sound into efforts to advance the sustainable development goals in the Asia-Pacific: case studies from Indonesia, Vanuatu and Australia

ABSTRACT

Although UNESCO has a stated aim to incorporate culture into all development policies, culturally integrated approaches to realising the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are arguably yet to gain widespread traction. Focusing on cultural practices relating to music and sound, this article explores the role of culture and cultural policy in advancing the SDGs in the Asia-Pacific, through three case studies. In Indonesia, a local project to document and sustain the music of the Indigenous Marapu people is generating positive health and wellbeing (SDG3), equality (SDG10) and community sustainability (SDG11) outcomes. In Australia, River Listening shows how artistic uses of underwater soundscapes can encourage local communities to learn about, and take action to support, life below water (SDG 14), while also increasing climate awareness and action (SDG13) and advancing sustainable cities and communities (SDG11). In Vanuatu, the Leweton Cultural Village is a community-led cultural enterprise advancing climate justice (SDG13), gender equality (SDG5), culturally appropriate education (SDG4), and economic prospects (SDG8) for the community, as well as increasing its resilience (SDG3). The authors consider how these and other examples might inspire deeper integration of culture, particularly cultural practices featuring music and sound, into policy efforts to achieve the SDGs in the Asia-Pacific.

KEYWORDS:

• Asia-Pacific
• culture
• intangible cultural heritage
• music
• sound
• Sustainable Development Goals

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the creative and knowledge contribution made to this study by members of the case study communities.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1. The SDGs are: (1) No Poverty, (2) Zero Hunger, (3) Good Health and Well-being, (4) Quality Education, (5) Gender Equality, (6) Clean Water and Sanitation, (7) Affordable and Clean Energy, (8) Decent Work and Economic Growth, (9) Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, (10) Reducing Inequality, (11) Sustainable Cities and Communities, (12) Responsible Consumption and Production, (13) Climate Action, (14) Life Below Water, (15) Life On Land, (16) Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, and (17) Partnerships for the Goals (UN n.d.).

2. As a marker of respect, we capitalise the word Indigenous in reference to original inhabitants of places we refer to in this article. (We use a different terminology in relation to Australia; see later this article.)

3. The first case of the novel coronavirus in Indonesia was recorded on 1 March 2020, and the first case in East Sumba on 13 May 2020. At the time of writing (29 January 2021), East Sumba has recorded 242 cases of the virus, and Indonesia 1.04 million (COVID-19 Data Repository by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University and The Department of Health East Sumba regency 2021).

4. See project website www.riverlistening.com.

5. The terms First Nations and First Nations’ Peoples are used here to describe the collective of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and their relationship to the multiple nations from which this collective naming is drawn. The possessive in relation to that belonging is used. These terms are capitalised both as a marker of respect recognising a diverse set of cultures, and as a short form for a proper noun, that is, First Nations’ Peoples of the meta-country known as Australia (O’Sullivan 2016).

6. In early 2020, international travel restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic put a near-total stop to tourism to the village. The ensuing hardship was compounded by the destruction of village infrastructure by Cyclone Harold in April 2020. At the time of writing (February 2021), tourism seems unlikely to recommence any time soon. The villagers are maintaining their cultural practices during this time, including the practice of Ëtëtung.

Additional information

Funding

This work has not received funding.

Notes on contributors

Catherine Grant

Catherine Grant is a music researcher, lecturer, and author on cultural endangerment and sustainability at Queensland Conservatorium Research Centre, Creative Arts Research Institute, Griffith University.

Brydie-Leigh Bartleet

Brydie-Leigh Bartleet is a community music specialist and Professor and Australian Research Council Future Fellow at the Queensland Conservatorium Research Centre, Creative Arts Research Institute, Griffith University.

Leah Barclay

Leah Barclay (University of the Sunshine Coast) is an Australian sound artist, designer and researcher who works on socially oriented projects at the intersection of art, science and technology.

Joseph Lamont

Joseph Lamont is an Australian producer, composer and film documenter working on cultural maintenance and revitalisation initiatives in Sumba (Indonesia).

Sandy Sur

Sandy Sur is founder of Leweton Cultural Experience in Luganville (Vanuatu) and leads community-based creative projects with cultural and environmental outcomes.