Using critical systems thinking to foster an integrated approach to sustainability: a proposal for development practitioners

Abstract

Throughout the development sector, there is increasing recognition of links between the environment and aspects of development such as poverty alleviation, health, income generation, and agriculture. While furnished with a diverse range of perspectives and approaches, development practice is in need of ways to better conceptualize the interactions between the social, environmental, and economic dimensions of sustainability so that opportunities for simultaneous improvement in human and ecological well-being can be identified more readily. Critical systems thinking is proposed as a way for development practitioners to conceptualize and act toward the integration of these economic, social, and environmental dimensions and, in so doing, support communities to nurture both human and ecosystem well-being. Four desirable attributes of a critical systems thinking approach to development are identified based on development literature, critical systems literature, and the author's research into sustainability in semi-rural communities in Vietnam. The four attributes are 'a systems thinking approach;' 'an ethical base to action and choices;' 'critical reflection permeates processes;' and 'appreciation of diverse views and application of diverse approaches.' These attributes are described and then offered as the basis for further discussion of the ways in which simultaneous improvement of human well-being and ecosystem health can become an integral part of development practice.

Establishing an Evolutionary Learning Laboratory for Improving the Quality of Life of Vietnamese Women in Small‐scale Agriculture: Part I—The Current Situation

“…An integrated and systemic approach is required to deal with the complex issues by identifying the root causes and addressing these with effective and efficient systemic interventions. A case study in semi-rural communities in Hai Duong, a neighbouring province of Haiphong, also concluded that sustainable outcomes can only be achieved when all the economic, social and environmental objectives are met (Smith, 2011). The following perceived solutions at a surface-deep level that were obtained during the surveys and literature studies were valuable inputs for the next steps of the ELLab, in which the focus is on systems thinking (Part II), rather than linear thinking.…”

Agroindustry Development Policy: A Strategy towards Poverty Alleviation

“…In 2010, poverty rate was expected to fall below 10 %. RPJMN (National Mid-Term Development Plan) 2010-2014 has sat up poverty rate reduction with 5 percent at the end of 2025, which is the end of Long Term Development period 2005-2025. Previous studies on poverty reduction indicatedthat factors related to poverty eradication were (1) inflation; (2) price of food especially rice; (3) working condition of the poor in agricultural sector in rural areas; and (4) job opportunities in the informal sector, Smith(2011), Bass & Dalal-Clayton(2012), Barrientos-Fuentes & Berg (2013); Hajra & Hajra (2015), and Rusdiansyah, (2013). Yunus in (Esty, 2011), Hulme, et al, (2012), Kwapong & Hanisch, (2013), Collins, (2014 argued that an effort to reduce poverty is providing easy access to financial markat for the poor in order to gat working capital.…”

The Art of Interconnected Thinking: Starting with the Young

“…Yet, it is only by appreciating the dynamic interplay of all of the elements in a system that today's complex social, economic or environmental problems can be solved [4][5][6][7][8].…”