Cultural Brokers as Embedded Agents for Accelerating Environment Conflict Resolution to Advance The SDGs

Objective: This study examines how cultural brokers, when positioned as embedded agents, can accelerate the resolution of complex environmental conflicts while simultaneously advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Theoretical Framework: The analysis integrates cultural brokerage theory (Wolf, 1956; Baron, 2021) with strategic agency theory (Emirbayer & Mische, 1998; Ortner, 2006), advancing a dual-agency model that conceptualizes brokers as active and embedded actors rather than passive intermediaries. Method: Employing a critical autoethnographic approach, the research draws on longitudinal cases of agrarian–environmental conflicts in Riau, Indonesia, between 2007 and 2023. Comparative analysis of two distinct periods (2011–2018 vs. 2018–2023) highlights the transformation of brokers’ roles and their measurable impact on the duration of conflict resolution. Results and Discussion: The findings demonstrate that advocacy-based approaches often prolonged conflicts for several years, whereas agency-based cultural brokerage reduced resolution time to weeks or months. Key mechanisms of acceleration include strategic knowledge production (e.g., participatory spatial mapping), vertical diplomacy, and proactive institutional navigation. These practices not only resolved disputes more effectively but also reinforced institutional trust and contributed directly to SDG 15 (Life on Land), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Research Implications: The study underscores the necessity of formally recognizing cultural brokers as institutional actors in policy design and conflict management frameworks. Originality/Value: This research introduces the concept of cultural brokers as embedded dual-agency actors, offering an innovative and empirically grounded model for transforming protracted environmental conflicts into pathways for sustainable development.