World day for cultural diversity for dialogue and development
The World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development celebrates not only the richness of the world’s cultures but also the essential role of intercultural dialogue to achieve peace and sustainable development. In 2001, UNESCO adopted the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity. In 2002, the UN General Assembly, declared May 21 to be the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development. In 2015, the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted the Resolution on Culture and Sustainable Development, recognizing that cultures and civilizations are crucial enablers of sustainable development.
Cultural diversity is a driving force of development, not only concerning economic growth but also as a means of leading a more fulfilling life. 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.
This day is an opportunity to deepen the 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 Expressions:
- Support sustainable systems of governance for culture.
- Achieve a balanced flow of cultural goods and services and increase the mobility of artists and cultural professionals.
- Integrate culture in sustainable development frameworks.
- Promote human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Furthermore, 2022 marks the end of the International Decade for the Rapprochement of Cultures, which seeks to promote mutual understanding and reciprocal knowledge of cultural, ethnic, and linguistic diversity.
The “rapprochement of cultures” implies that international security and social inclusion cannot be attained sustainably without a commitment to such principles as human dignity, conviviality, and solidarity which are the cornerstones of human coexistence, in all faiths and secular ideologies.
In 2021, the Dublin City Hub, in collaboration with University College Dublin created the Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity toolkit, that aims at strengthening social inclusion both in activities and communication to eradicate prejudice and discrimination based on an individual or group of individuals.
