The Route to Sustainable Economies: Turn right at culture

1. The Route to Sustainable Economies: Turn right at culture Wynne Wright, Ph.D. Michigan State University Center for Community Economic Development Conference 26 March 2013

3. Finding Balance Food, Culture and Sustainability “Sustainability is a vision and a process, not an end product.” How do we meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs? How do we improve the quality of life while living within the carrying capacity of the planet? Newman & Kenworthy,1999:5

4. Finding Balance What is Culture? “As ‘a whole way of life’, ‘a signifying system’ through which a social order is communicated, reproduced, experienced and explored.” • “The means of these processes – as in culture as ‘the arts’ and ‘humane intellectual works’.” Source: Williams, 1983:11-13

5. Finding Balance Cultural Sustainability As Artifact • Little ‘c’ culture (Artifacts of Culture) • Rests on Definition 1: Culture is the means of development processes – as in culture as ‘the arts’ and ‘humane intellectual works.’ • This approach applies the ideas of sustainability to cultural concerns • Focus is on cultural ‘products’…tangible artifacts…things… • Art, literature, music, fashions, food and tastes

6. The Fourth Pillar of Sustainability: Cultures Essential Role in Public Planning, by Jon Hawkes

7. Finding Balance Cultural Sustainability As Blueprint • Big ‘C’ Culture (Blueprint for Sustainability) • Rests on Definition 3: Culture is ‘a whole way of life’, ‘a signifying system’ through which a social order is communicated, reproduced, experienced, explored. • Recognizes that our thoughts, actions, beliefs, values, likes and dislikes are social creations, strongly influenced by the time and place we live. • Focuses on the role of culture as pivotal for imagining and planning for sustainable development • Asks, “Who are we? “What do we share? “Do we get along? “How do we work together?”

9. Finding Balance How do we bring ‘c’/’C’ulture in? Culture as Artifact/what Culture as Blueprint/how Create public spaces that draw people together Unite racial and ethnic diversity Multi-generational Enhance ability to work cooperatively & communicate with others Build community identity and pride Support positive community norms, such as cultural understanding and free expression Foster trust between individuals • Focus on arts-based initiatives/solutions • Forming and maintaining new social networks with organizations, groups, artists, and government • Integrate local customs, crafts, and practices into education • Increasing opportunities for individuals to become more involved in the arts • Invest in cultural industries to diversify economies

10. Finding Balance Co-construction • Both approaches are rooted in time and place • Big ‘C’ = defines how people relate to each other - Reflection of values, beliefs, norms • Little ‘c’ = sees uniqueness in our natural resources and material artifacts - Outgrowth of environmental resources • Economic and cultural diversities are closely interdependent • Interact and affect one another • Considerations of culture enables development when it takes in account the local context, particularities of place (assets).

11. Finding Balance Food As a Cultural Artifact • Place-based foods are foods that are tied to the climate and soil of a region as well as to the culture and traditions of its inhabitants. • What’s unique to your place? • Heritage & Ethnic traditions • Production practices • Biological distinctions • What’s their story? “… ultimately, the pursuit of sustainability is a local undertaking not only because each community is ecologically and culturally unique but also because its citizens have specific place-based needs and requirements.” • - R. E. Rhoades, 2006

12. Culture of Place and Food France…Leading the Way

13. Culture, Place and Food in the U.S. Organizations and Individuals Leading the Way

14. The Real Thing… “I am looking for the real thing; I care where it comes from and how it is made”

15. The Cultural Revolution in Food The Cultural Revolution in Food

16. Michigan… Hops Heaven Michigan Organizations and Individuals Leading the Way

17. Westwind Mill, Argentine, MI Michigan Organizations and Individuals Leading the Way

18. Light of Day Organic Teas Michigan Organizations and Individuals Leading the Way

19. Michigan Organizations and Individuals Leading the Way Michigan Cheesemakers Four Corners Creamery Dancing Goat Creamery

20. Cultural Sustainability as Blueprint • Focus is on how – the process - to create a cultural economy. • How do we talk about our sustainable future – positively? • Who participates in planning – all or a few? • Do cultural products represent ‘us’ or ‘them’? • Who decides how we market our place? • Are decision making practices democratic and open or closed? • Will there be negative consequences for some as a result of a cultural economy?

21. Finding Balance is about … • Bringing culture as artifact into sustainability focus, visioning and planning. • What we are … --- AND --- • Bringing culture as blueprint – the larger questions of values, identity, and process - into sustainability focus, visioning and planning. - How we function … • Cultural Sustainability … “the ability to retain cultural identity, and to allow change to be guided in ways that are consistent with the cultural values of a people.” • Sustainable Development Research Institute, 1998:1

22. Contact Information Wynne Wright, Ph.D. Michigan State University Department of Community, Agriculture, Recreation, & Resource Studies and Department of Sociology East Lansing, MI 48824 wrightwy@anr.msu.edu