Literature: The Path to Social Sustainability

Can humanity overcome its ignorance of one another? This question warrants as much attention as our concerns about the climate. War, corruption, and love have propelled people across borders, and in Denmark, growing diversity is testing the cohesion of our society. The ongoing shifts in global power are further destabilizing an already fragile world order. The escalating war in Ukraine, alongside the looming potential for large-scale conflicts in East Asia and the Middle East, serve as stark reminders of the urgent need for social sustainability, especially within the framework of public libraries and their alignment with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In Denmark, public libraries have been at the forefront of advancing the UN’s SDGs. The creativity, determination, and capacity to engage volunteers, businesses, and local stakeholders in climate initiatives have been nothing short of remarkable. The heightened awareness of the SDGs, alongside the knowledge and methods developed through collaboration with public libraries, represents a key contribution to positioning Denmark as a leading provider of global expertise. The ambition, focus, and drive that have characterized Denmark’s climate efforts will, in equal measure, help establish the country as a trailblazer in social sustainability. By focusing on SDG 11—aimed at creating sustainable communities and cities—Denmark can not only enhance its social cohesion but also offer a model for other nations to follow. Public libraries, with their unique resources, are positioned to mobilize the profound world of literature to foster a deeper sense of shared human awareness. One powerful method of achieving this is by engaging with literature from a historical perspective. Through this lens, we can learn to recognize ourselves in the so-called 'others' and, perhaps more importantly, recognize the 'others' within ourselves.

What makes this literary-historical approach so compelling is its dual capacity: on one hand, it reveals the shadow sides of our collective psyche, while on the other, it binds us to those from whom we often distance ourselves. This strategy has the potential to strengthen not only the dissemination of literature—one of the core tasks of public libraries—but also to expand our self-perception. A contemporary example of the magic and transformative potential embedded in the literary approach is Ivan Z. Sørensen's 2022 work Albondocani, Blixen and Islam. Sørensen, a former curator at the Karen Blixen Museum and a respected authority on Blixen’s literary legacy, opens our eyes to an underexplored aspect of Karen Blixen’s life. This book provides profound insights into Blixen’s spiritual, literary, and artistic dimensions, deeply shaped by her encounters with Islam during her extended stay in Kenya. Her relationships with Muslim workers, theological students, and exposure to Arabic-Islamic literature were central to the themes and stylistic techniques she employed throughout her writing. Blixen’s unfinished novel, Albondocani, draws significant inspiration from One Thousand and One Nights. This is just one of many examples of how literature and literary history can foster greater understanding and recognition of the 'others.' I argue that literature, by tapping into these shared human experiences, can provide the foundation for the socially sustainable societies we so desperately need.

The beauty of literature lies in its autonomy. Neither ideologies, religions, nor national borders can suppress its freedom or dictate its course. Dostoevsky will endure the war in Ukraine, and Blixen’s works will continue to resonate with readers worldwide, even as we attempt to claim her as ‘our own.’ The Lebanese Khalil Gibran, a Christian author, remains one of the most widely read writers in the Muslim Middle East. Literature triumphs where human divisions fail.

Beyond events that illuminate the enigmatic paths of literature, there are other vital areas where public libraries can contribute under the social sustainability agenda. Many libraries feature 'world corners' filled with books in the various minority languages spoken in Denmark. However, these 'world corners' often become neglected spaces—metaphorically 'dead corners'—collecting dust and neglected by library staff. The task of curating these sections is often relegated to newcomers or interns unless there is a dedicated librarian with a passion for promoting these collections. This challenge does not stem from a lack of interest or will to share books in minority languages, but rather from a lack of expertise in the field. This absence of expertise reflects the broader issue of ethnic minorities being underrepresented within the library system itself—whether in staffing, programming, or library materials. The representation of Denmark’s cultural diversity is crucial for fostering a socially sustainable society, and this requires a concerted, targeted effort within the library profession and policy sphere.

Steen Hildebrandt, an author, speaker, and Ph.D. in organizational theory and leadership, is one of Denmark’s most prominent advocates for the UN’s SDGs. In his lectures and writings, Hildebrandt emphasizes a crucial message: while climate change remains an urgent focus, the SDGs as a whole must not fade into the background. These goals are global in scope, and they should not be seen as solely Denmark’s responsibility to fulfill. In other words, our work with the SDGs must be translated into national efforts, but we must never lose sight of the international perspective that defines these goals. Inspired by this mindset, Danish public libraries could cultivate meaningful partnerships with libraries in countries like Lebanon, Cambodia, Uganda, or Argentina, thereby fostering cross-cultural collaboration and shared goals. The heart of the matter is clear: the only way we can achieve the SDGs is by shifting our perspective. As Danish philosopher Peter Kemp argues in his book The World Citizen as a Pedagogical Ideal, the challenges of the 21st century can only be addressed when we free ourselves from the constraints of national borders and begin viewing the world through the eyes of a global citizen. In this context, world literature plays a crucial role, teaching us to see the world first as humans and only then as Danes, Arabs, or Japanese.