Jeffrey D. Sachs has a view of the future that is sometimes contradictory (“Prosperity in sustainability,’’ Opinion, Nov. 7). He calls for a more level playing field and then urges government to call on those in powerful positions to solve the problems. He never once calls for establishing a structure where citizens offer their opinions and voice their priorities. So the Sustainable Development Goals — goals that were voted on by ambassadors at the United Nations, representing the voices of dictators, potentates, kings, and a handful of democratically elected presidents and prime ministers, who rarely if ever carry out UN mandates that they have voted for — do not represent the will of the people.

Sachs talks about sustainability without mentioning the one thing that can be sustainable: the full integration of human rights into the SDGs and everyday life. Until citizens of the world are truly equal, are able to participate in the working of their governments, and are treated justly by society, government, and business, there will be no sustainability, for the cure will always be on the backs of the working women and men in our nations.

To change the course of history, we must dramatically change the decision-making process here at home and around the world. The UN makes the claim that it is built on three pillars: development, security, and human rights. Imagine a world where the pillars of security and development were built, from inception, on a foundation of human rights. That would be the first step in building a sustainable world.

Human beings solve problems of relative scale everyday, as we live in complex times. Imagine a world where every citizen knew that their voice mattered and that their elected officials were on their side. It would demand personal and shared responsibility from all of us.

Robert Kesten, executive director

The People’s Movement for Human Rights Learning

New York