World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development is annually held on this day to help people learn about the importance of cultural diversity and harmony
The World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development is an occasion to promote culture and highlight the significance of its diversity as an agent of inclusion and positive change.
It represents an opportunity to celebrate culture’s manifold forms, from the tangible and intangible, to creative industries, to the diversity of cultural expressions, and to reflect on how these contribute to dialogue, mutual understanding, and the social, environmental and economic vectors of sustainable development.
Various events are organized to increase the understanding of issues around cultural diversity and development among governments, non-governmental organizations and the public. Many of these include presentations on the progress of implementing the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity.
To mark this day, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted, “Today is World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development. Unity in diversity is at the core of the idea of India. While some sections try to impose uniformity in the name of unity, let us all celebrate this diversity of our great nation.”
According to United Nations (UN), cultural diversity is a driving force of development, not only with respect to economic growth, but also as a means of leading a more fulfilling intellectual, emotional, moral and spiritual life. This is captured in the seven culture conventions, which provide a solid basis for the promotion of cultural diversity. Cultural diversity is thus an asset that is indispensable for poverty reduction and the achievement of sustainable development.
At the same time, acceptance and recognition of cultural diversity – in particular through innovative use of media and Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) – are conducive to dialogue among civilizations and cultures, respect and mutual understanding.
In 2001, UNESCO adopted theUniversal Declaration on Cultural Diversity and in December 2002, the UN General Assembly, in its resolution57/249, declared May 21 to be the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development.
The day provides us with an opportunity to deepen our understanding of the values of cultural diversity and to advance the four goals of the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressionsadopted on 20 October 2005: Support sustainable systems of governance for culture. Achieve a balanced flow of cultural goods and services and increase mobility of artists and cultural professionals. Integrate culture in sustainable development frameworks and Promote human rights and fundamental freedoms.
