THE ROLE OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGs) IN

SOCIAL INCLUSION
By
Farouk Aisha Dawaki 1, Eko Priyo Purnomo2

ABSTRACT: With the adoption of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Agenda
2030, the paper examines the concepts of social inclusion, social exclusion, sustainable
development goals, and the role of sustainable development goals in achieving social inclusion.
The paper has used different approaches of research and evaluation. The research sought
literature in different databases, library catalogs and online books. Also, the review did not cover
all the potential relevant literature, it narrowed its research to literature on social inclusion, social
exclusion, SDGs and sustainable development. The paper concludes with how SDGs can
improve social inclusion.

Keywords: social inclusion, social exclusion, sustainable development goals (SDGs).

INTRODUCTION:
The importance attached to social inclusion in the sustainable development goals (SDGs) make it
necessary for us to explain what is the concept of social inclusion, social exclusion, SDGs, and
the role of SDGs in social inclusion. The Open Working Group ably co-chaired by Hungary and
Kenya under the umbrella of Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) proposed ten
SDGs. According to Sachs (2015), each of the ten goals has three associated specific targets, and
even more usually around ten specific numerical indicators to track progress on the goals and
targets.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals consist of 17 goals to foster sustainable
development across many areas as reported by Filho, et. al., (2017). The Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) contain 17 goals and 169 targets which become global action plans
for the next 15 years effective from 2016 to 2030 (Eko et.al., 2020).
Among the 17 SDGs, Sustainable Development Goals 3, 4, 8, 10, 11 and 16 all refer to social
inclusion. SDG 3 states that every country will promote the wellbeing and capabilities of all their
citizens, enabling all citizens to reach their potential, irrespective of class, gender, ethnic origin,
religion or race (Sachs, 2012).
SDG 4 states: governments at all levels will cooperate to promote sustainable development
worldwide. These targets include a commitment to the rule of law, human rights, transparency,
participation, inclusion and economic institutions (Sachs 2012). While SDG 8 is to promote
sustained, inclusive and sustainable growth with employment creation, SDG 10 is to empower
1
Student Master of Law, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, Indonesia.Email:
faroukaisha00058@gmail.com
2
Correspondence Author: Eko Priyo Purnomo, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Email:eko@umy.ac.id

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and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex,
disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or other status (Silver, 2015).
SDG 11 is to “make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”; and
SDG 16 aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies as well as inclusive institutions (Silver
2015).
The aim of the review is to understand the concept of social inclusion, social exclusion, the
SDGs and the role of SDGs in social inclusion.
Throughout this review, We realized that the concepts of social inclusion and social exclusion are
interrelated and one cannot discuss one without the other. Most of the articles focuses on both,
only few discuss one without the other. The research was limited or narrowed in order for the
paper to focus on the concept of social inclusion, social exclusion, SDGs and the role of SDGs in
social inclusion.

METHOD:
The paper utilises primary and secondary data which include information from books, journals,
institutional publications, online articles and materials. Data from these sources were
descriptively analyzed and this formed the literature review.

THE CONCEPT OF SOCIAL INCLUSION AND SOCIAL EXCLUSION:

The concept of social inclusion and social exclusion is a broader one and there have been a lot of
writings about social inclusion and exclusion. It is important to emphasize from the beginning
that the concepts relate to broad matters such as the ethics of wealth, poverty, inequality, divided
societies, gender inequality, the ethics of equality and rights etc (Sachs 2015).
To determine what is meant by social inclusion, it is necessary to understand what is meant by
social exclusion as the two concepts are closely related and considered to be part of the same
dimension (Lloyd, Lipu and Kennan, 2010). There have been several efforts to conceptualize
social inclusion and exclusion, all of which recognize that they have many dimensions.
Lloyd et al., 2010 says that a difficulty with the concept of social exclusion is that no single
definition is universally accepted.
The term “social exclusion” has different meanings and it is increasingly being used to describe
the experience of limited opportunities to participate fully in society. Social exclusion has
become central to policy and academic discourse in western europe and increasingly in other
parts of the world. The term “social exclusion” has been used to describe; group to risk of
exclusion; what people are excluded from; the states associated with exclusion; the processes
involved and levels at which they operate; and the actors involved.
Dugarova (2012) says, social exclusion is multifaceted; it has multiple causes and takes diverse
forms related to age, disability and location, among others. Therefore it cannot be addressed
predominantly through economic means. The origin of the concept of social exclusion can be
traced back to Aristotle, the contemporary notion of exclusion emerged in France in the 1970s,

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linked to a perceived breakdown in social cohesion following civil unrest in the late 1960s in the
context of growing unemployment and socio-economic inequalities.
From France, its use spread through the European Union’s institutions, decentring the poverty
discourse. It was adopted particularly enthusiastically by the UK’s New Labour Organization
also took a lead in driving the concept out to lose economically developed countries. Part of the
rise in popularity of the social exclusion concept has been attributed to its political appeal. It has
been argued that it is perceived as less threatening than poverty and its semantic flexibility
allows it to be acceptable to a range of political positions. Also, its emergence has been linked to
the rise of neo-liberal ideology and individualism from the 1970s. In addition, its popularity may
in part be attributable to a belief that the concept of social exclusion offers an original
perspective on the social world. When understood as multi-dimensional, it has the potential to
provide new insights into the nature, causes and consequences of poverty, deprivation,
inequalities and discrimination, and give new direction to remedial policies. Wright & Stickley
(2013) argue that this conceptualization of social exclusion did not become universal because in
the USA, a narrow definition of exclusion prevails and is often associated with either poverty or
race. They refer to the term to individuals, groups or entire communities, but are invariably
associated with poverty, unemployment, inequality and disadvantage.
In the same vein, Silver (2015) argues that the concept of exclusion should be disaggregated into
economic, social, and political dimensions because dimensions of exclusion are not necessarily
related; their association also varies in national contexts. However, Wolff (2017) departed from
others, he argued that the term “social exclusion” does not seem quite right, as it connotes a
binary opposition of inclusion and exclusion. There are four reasons why a binary division is
unhelpful. First, a given individual will generally fall into many groups and can be included in
one respect and excluded in another. Secondly, exclusion implies the existence of a privileged
mainstream, but there can be several potentially competing mainstreams, and a group or
individual can be included in one but not another. Thirdly, groups that are themselves excluded
can in turn exclude others. Finally, exclusion is a matter of degree, from the subtle ways in which
conversational groups form at social gatherings to sustained and organized violence. He
concluded by saying that we live in a world in which groups can be both included and excluded
at the same time, and in different ways, and any individual can be a member of many such
groups.
With time, policy discourse shifted from “exclusion” to “inclusion”, a seemingly more positive
or affirmative term that is now ubiquitous, according to Silver (2015). The European Union
Project especially between the 1970s and 1990s promoted the inclusion/exclusion idea. Notions
of social inclusion, therefore, became enshrined in European policies.

THE CONCEPT OF SOCIAL INCLUSION:

Social Inclusion is a fluid term with a variety of meanings. The term social inclusion now
appears everywhere in civic, economic, political, social policy and even sustainable development
goals. According to the World Bank; social inclusion is the process of improving the terms on

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which individuals and groups take part in society-improving the ability, opportunity and dignity
of those disadvantaged on the basis of their identity.
Silver (2015) refers to social inclusion as a process of encouraging social interaction between
people with different socially relevant attributes or an impersonal institutional mechanism of
opening up access to participation in all spheres of social life. She asserted that her own
definition of social inclusion is one of a multi-dimensional, relational process of increasing
opportunities for social participation, enhancing capabilities to fulfill normatively prescribed
social roles, broadening socialities of respect and recognition, and at the collective level,
enhancing social bonds, cohesion, integration or solidarity.
The concept of social inclusion, also referred to as social integration or social cohesion,
represents a vision for “a society for all”, in which every individual, each with rights and
responsibilities, has an active role to play (Dugatova, 2015). Dugarova(2015) said the concept of
social inclusion gained prominence following the world summit of social development (WSSD)
help in copenhagen in 1995, there has been a tendency to (i) treat it as an expanded version of
“economic” inclusion; (ii) identify exclusion with the marginalization of certain individual or
groups based on their race, ethnicity or gender; (iii) focus on individual well-being in analyzing
and measuring social inclusion.
According to Wright and Stickly (2013), although the concept of social inclusion did not
originate within a UK context, they were widely adopted as part of the New Labour
Government’s raft of policy measures that were introduced towards working with those groups
deemed to be socially excluded. They concluded that social inclusion and exclusion are easily
confused and boundaries between both concepts may become blurred.
Dugarova (2015) describes social inclusion as a goal, process and outcome. As a universal goal,
it aims to achieve an inclusive society that entails respect for human rights, cultural diversity and
democratic governance, and upholds principles of equality and equity. As a process it enables
citizen’s participation in decision making activities that affect their lives, allowing all groups to
take part in this process, especially marginalized groups. As an outcome, it ensures the reduction
of inequalities, elimination of any form of exclusion, and achievement of social justice and
cohesion.
He further said that one should be aware of the multispectral nature of “inclusion”: inclusion of
whom (social groups or communities), inclusion of what (goods, services, resources), inclusion
into what (labour market, welfare system or space, whether physical, political, social or cultural),
how (equally, fairly, voluntarily or involuntarily), for what purpose and on what terms, and the
caution is needed regarding the terms on which social inclusion is carried out. And that the
challenge for policy is to ensure that patterns of human relation in a society promotes fair
opportunities and guarantee equitable outcomes for all.
Dagarova stated that the WSSD has warned that failure to achieve social inclusion would lead to
social fragmentation and polarization, widen disparities and inequalities and put strain in
individuals, families, communities and institutions due to the rapid pace of social change,
economic activity, and major population dislocations, particularly in areas of conflicts.

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To this end, the concept of exclusion and inclusion according to Silver (2015) are context
dependent and phenomena, it not only asserts that context matters, but also shows how it does.
So identifying some of the mechanisms by which nations, states and localities influence
processes of economic, social and political exclusion and inclusion. She concluded by stating
that to say that exclusion and inclusion vary in meaning and manifestations across context is not
to gainsay the impact of globalization trends in generating exclusion, but rather to insist that the
national and local solidarities and institutions mediate those trends and lead to distinctive
patterns in different places. Because ideas and institutions persist in place, inclusion is spatially
uneven.(Silver, 2015)
In sum, as the SDGs are set to promote “inclusive development” it is worth noting that economic
inclusion of the poor may take place without poverty reduction; it all depends on the context as
stated by Silver (2015).

THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGs):

The sustainable development goals are a collection of global goals set by the United Nations in
2015 which are otherwise known as the global goals for sustainable development or agenda
2030. Because the goals are expected to be achieved in the 15 years period between 2015 and
2030.
According to Eko et al., 2020, Sustainable Development Goals is a development that will never
stop; the life of future generations must be better and not less from the current level of
experience; and the impact of SDGs is both local and global; much of the world feels the effects
of progress in development.
Arajarvi (2018) in his work describes the SDGs as a collective effort of the international
community setting out universal commitments and providing normative guidance for the creation
of a better, more just world. Winkler & Satterthwaite(2017) assert that the SDGs provide a boost
for equality and promote development that leaves no one behind.
In a follow up RIO +20 summit and the call of the world leaders to put sustainable development
at the very core of the international development agenda. The UN Secretary-General, Ban
Ki-Moon appointed in the lead up to the RIO +20 Summit, issued a report recommending that
the world adopt a set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Sachs, 2012. In the RIO + 20
outcome document “The Future We Want”, spelled out the mandate for negotiating a new
sustainable development agenda:
“We resolve to establish an inclusive and transparent intergovernmental process on
sustainable development goals that is open to all stakeholders, with a view to developing
global sustainable development goals to be agreed by the General Assembly”.(Sachs,
2012)
An Open Working Group on Sustainable Development consisting of 77 member states divided
into 30 groups was chaired by the Permanent Representatives of Kenya and Hungary. The Open
Working Group delivered a final set of 17 proposed SDGs including 169 targets and it was
adopted at the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit in September 2015. (Arajarvi,

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2018) Adopted by 193 countries, the SDGs came into effect in January 2016, and aim to foster
economic growth, ensure social inclusion and protect the environment, according to Mensah
(2019).
Arajarvi (2018) opines that while the preamble of the 2030 Agenda follows the footsteps of the
MDGs by emphasising eradication of poverty, it introduces a more holistic approach under three
dimensions-the economic, social and environmental.
Dugarova (2015) described the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development has explicitly called
for the promotion of inclusive societies, institutions and decision making (SDG 16) and
encouraged social, economic and political inclusion of all as a target to reduce inequalities within
and among countries (SDG 10). Furthermore, the new agenda has acknowledged the need for
inclusive economic growth (SDG 8) and industrialization (SDG 9), while emphasizing an
inclusive approach to quality education (SDG 4) and safe human settlements (SDG 11).
Arajarvi (2018) asserts that the SDGs are based on the principle of universality, conversely to the
MDGs, which addressed issues largely pertaining to developing countries. Another author in
Arajarvi’s research or paper compared MDGs and SDGs, concluding that the SDGs, infact,
represent a form of institutional cosmopolitanism. In addition Dugarova added that it is clear that
the SDGs present a significant step forward compared to the MDGs, both in terms of the
consultative process and the outcome document. In contrast to the MDGs, the SDGs has been
developed through open and participatory global consultations involving a wide range of
stakeholders, and the outcome document on the SDGs has recognized the need to build an
inclusive society.

THE ROLE OF SDGs IN SOCIAL INCLUSION:

As the concepts of social inclusion and exclusion become better understood, it becomes
increasingly clear that the sustainable development goals (SDGs) can provide for people to move
from socially excluded to socially included. From the literature reviewed, a lot of key areas to
social inclusion development were discussed but for the purpose of this research, it was limited
to sustainable development.
Dugarova and Laves (2015) in their papers identified key issues that are central to debates
around social inclusion and sustainable development. The key issues which are gaining
increasing recognition are ;
(1) Move beyond a narrow focus on safety nets toward social policies concerned with
universal social protection and redistribution.
(2) Focus not only on equality of opportunity but also equality of outcome.
(3) Place employment rather than growth at the center of development policy.
(4) Address one of the major gaps in development policy; paid and unpaid care
work;and
(5) Support nations of participation and empowerment that go beyond dialogue and
entrepreneurship to embrace deeper changes in power relations.

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Dugarova (2012) argues that there are 3 key interrelated areas to social inclusion; (1) Universal
social protection (2) Meaningful participation and (3) Social and solidarity economy.
(1)Universal Social Protection: Social protection is concerned with preventing, managing and
overcoming situations that adversely affect people’s well-being (UNRISD 2010). It consists of
policies and programs that provide access to essential social services such as health and
education, and ensure an adequate level of security under multiple contingencies of life related to
unemployment, sickness, disability or old age. Social protection mechanisms can be a powerful
tool to foster social inclusion, as they not only help prevent individuals and families from falling
and remaining in poverty but also enable them to realize and then ensure their active
involvement in societal processes.
(2) Meaning Participation: Dugarova said prerequisite for inclusive development. Pearse and
Strefel in their papers defined participation as the organized efforts to increase control over
resources and regulative institutions, in given social situations, on the part of groups and
movements of those either to exclude from such control. It encompasses involvement in various
aspects of life, whether social, cultural, economic or political, by all members of society based
on equality of rights and opportunities.
Therefore, meaningful participation is about strengthening the captivity of individuals or groups
to influence decision making processes and exercise their claims on external factors and
institutions that affect their lives.
Dugarova says there 3 forms participation that are relevant for inclusive development; (i)
resources mobilization at the local or community level; (ii) Access and influence in decision
making and governance processes; and (iii) Advocacy by civil society networks to reframe
policy debates on development priorities and pathways.
(3) Social and Solidarity Economy: The SSE refers to the production of goods and services by
organizations and enterprises that put social and often environmental objectives before profits:
involve cooperative and associative relations and forms democratic management; and espouse
values of solidarity, sharing and caring. Social and solidarity economy is seen as a poverty
reduction tool rather than an approach to development that can promote social inclusion.
Dugarova concluded that it is unlikely that development will be sustainable unless it is inclusive
and that the 2030 Agenda for the sustainable development needs to be inclusive plan of action,
pursuing the goal of leaving no one behind in a way that meets the needs of present generations
without compromising the ability of future generations to participate in the processes that impact
their lives.
In similar fashion, Sachs (2012) also mentioned four domains in which the SDGs will follow to
improve its performance as follows;
1. The SDGs should include intermediate objectives and milestones with clear data.
2. The private sector should be crucially engaged from the very start because neither
the MDGs nor the SDGs will be achieved without the leadership of private
companies; large and small.

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 3. The lifeblood of the MDGs and the SDGs should be data that is accurate, timely
and available to managers, policy markers, and the public.
4. The success of the SDGs will need societies worldwide to invest adequately in
their success. Sustainable development is the only viable path for humanity, but it
will not be achieved unless a small part of consumption spending is turned into
investments for long-term survival.
To support social inclusion in the goals of sustainable development, the government must make
an effort to achieve sustainable development by improving and implementing ways to bridge the
gap and eliminate social exclusion in societies in order for the people to be socially included;
must provide benefits for all not only certain groups that get benefits, especially which is
vulnerable and must involve all stakeholders (Fadhlurrohman et at., 2020)

CONCLUSION:
From the literature reviewed, the paper has clarified the concepts of social inclusion, social
exclusion, the origin of the two concepts and the link between the two concepts. The paper also
examines the SDGs and how SDGs can improve social inclusion.

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