Diaspora Heritage and Sustainable Development: A Literature Review on the Role of Cultural Identity, Language, and Integration Dynamics, Dr Ali Diab

Dr Ali Mohamad Diab
International Executive School
Strasbourg
France

Purpose: This literature review examines how diaspora communities facilitate sustainable development through cultural heritage preservation and transfer, focusing on identity, language, and integration dynamics as tools for enhancing sustainable development outcomes.

Design/Methodology: The research systematically analyzes peer-reviewed literature from 2000-2025, incorporating interdisciplinary perspectives from anthropology, linguistics, development studies, and diaspora policy. Analysis follows a thematic synthesis framework.

Results: Five central themes emerged: heritage as economic resource, language as identity transmission tool, negotiation of ethnic and national identities, cultural adaptation dynamics, and diaspora challenges and opportunities. Findings demonstrate diasporas' contributions to UN Sustainable Development Goals through formal and informal mechanisms.

Value: This paper provides policy-relevant insights for developing culturally responsive strategies that enhance diaspora integration within global sustainability frameworks, offering practical guidance for leveraging diaspora communities in sustainable development initiatives.

Keywords: Diaspora Communities, Cultural Heritage, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Language Preservation, Identity, Integration.