Enterprise, government and civil society: Key partners to reach objectives of sustainable development. The case for Mexico and The Netherlands-Edición Única

Abstract

Sustainable development is a raising issue in the debate in Mexico with weak empowerment. Some sectors do not even realize about the benefits and the sense of urgency to adopt a Sustainable development approach, which is integrative, coherent and collaborative providing a framework for trust building and participative decision-making. The Netherlands tradition of consensus building and participation provide with some useful elements to elaborate the case of the need of a collaborative approach in the design, planning and implementation of projects with Sustainable development goals and further grant some light to the Mexico’s search for consensus building not only to create an integrated approach towards sustainability but to unblock the current political gridlock which is a precondition to meet further sustainable development goals. Throughout this work, the evolution of the Sustainable development concept and debate are described as a precondition to understand the complex challenges and the underlying beliefs that form the base for the current trends of sustainability. The case for collaboration for sustainable development is drawn in order overcome and address global and local issues. The Trilemma Triangle methodology is used to map down the sustainable development trade-offs between the three elements –economic, environmental and social considerations- according to local needs, political, cultural and environmental characteristics. The three sectors –government, business and civil society – main characteristics and drivers are described in order to facilitate the mutual understanding, to visualize opportunities and threats and to identify the space for collaboration. Different models of partnerships are described and analyzed highlighting some main components of a more effective model of multisectorial partnerships for sustainable development which are further analyzed and contrasted with real cases of study identifying opportunities and strengths according to the local characteristics. Leadership, trust, and decision-making processes are identified as key elements to further plan, design and implement sustainable development projects in Mexico. The role of government is identified as key to provide with the needed policy framework. Strong leadership on behalf of the business and civil society sectors is important to finally meet with sustainability goals.