8. On Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals through Coproduction of Knowledge

Abstract

While the inner city of Johannesburg in South Africa exhibits a considerable decline and disarray, it is simultaneously a site attracting investment, infrastructural change, and growth. An enabling and democratic space for multistakeholder partnerships is therefore vital, particularly one that is inclusive, mutually benefitting, and reflecting local validity. Drawing on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as an analytical framework, the chapter explores the actions of a particular civil society organisation, the Makers Valley Partnership (MVP), that has established relations with several universities and entities to further sustainable development within Johannesburg’s inner city. In these endeavours, a systematic, participatory approach to enhance the coproduction of knowledge is advocated. The latter could address uneven power dynamics as evident in previous ways of working and thus help to attain the SDGs. With respect to collaborations between civil society and public libraries, the key concern here is whether such alliances can be meaningfully built to achieve a common goal. It is argued that libraries can potentially play critical societal roles in the way they partner with civil society organisations, groupings, and movements. The chapter concludes with emerging lessons, recommendations, and policy implications.

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