Cross-Cultural Communication and SDG 17: Strengthening Global Partnerships for Development Communication competencies in multi-stakeholder collaborations

Abstract

Cross-cultural communication plays a key role in the realization of the Sustainable Development Goal 17 (SDG 17) on the need to enhance global partnerships to ensure sustainable development is realized. In a world where the interactions between governments, civil societies, business, and international agencies are becoming more interdependent, competencies dealing with the management of cultural diversity based on trust, inclusivity and decision making is important to have. The paper addresses how communication competencies can help actors transcend cultural barriers, reduce misunderstanding and build fair grounds of collaboration. The paper uses previous research to appreciate the significance of cultural sensitivity, flexibility, and participatory processes in collaborative systems in intercultural dialogue, organizational behavior, and development communication. The research methodology is based on qualitative synthesis of peer-reviewed literature sources, policy frameworks, and case studies to determine the best practices and predictable issues. Results indicate that cross-cultural partnerships require a cultural competency, the open line of communication and shared values, whereas miscommunication expectations and ethnocentric attitudes are likely to result in failure. The paper ends on the note that in spite of the strength of cross-cultural communication in implementing SDG 17, there exist limitations in scaling capacity-building programs and a power imbalance between the stakeholders. Future research needs to aim at developing models of communication that fit in particular settings, models of digital mediation, training based on strengthening the relationships between global partnerships within a culturally diverse context.