Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development

“Cultural differences should not separate us from each other, but rather cultural diversity brings a collective strength that can benefit all of humanity." Also: "Intercultural dialogue is the best guarantee of a more peaceful, just and sustainable world.”- Robert Alan Aurthur. Every year on May 21st, the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development urges everyone to do their part to bridge the gap between cultures. The day is often referred to as Diversity Day. The day is critical regarding the essential role that intercultural dialogue plays in achieving peace and sustainable development. The United Nations General Assembly first declared this World Day in 2002, following the United Nations Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)’s adoption of the 2001 Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity,that recognized the need to enhance the potential of culture as a means of achieving prosperity, sustainable development and global peaceful coexistence. According to the United Nations (UN), 89% of all current conflicts in the world occur in countries with low intercultural dialogue, therefore forging effective cooperation, sustaining peace and strengthening intercultural dialogue must be a priority. According to UNESCO data, the cultural and creative sector is one of the most powerful engines of development worldwide. It accounts for more than 48 million jobs globally almost half of which are held by women representing 6.2% of all existing employment and 3.1% of global Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It is also the sector that employs and provides opportunities for the largest number of young people under the age of 30. According to the United Nations (UN), bridging this gap is essential for peace, development, and stability. When we deepen our understanding of the values of cultural diversity we can achieve these four goals: Support sustainable systems for the governance of culture. Achieve a balanced flow of cultural goods and services. Integrate culture into the frameworks of sustainable development. Promote human rights and fundamental freedoms. These four goals were established during the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. Besides achieving these goals, embracing other cultures helps us to lead more fulfilling lives. This fulfillment happens intellectually, spiritually, and morally. How exactly do we embrace other cultures? It all begins by having a dialogue between those who are different than us. Other ways to embrace our differences is to develop respect and mutual understanding for different cultures and those of other faiths. Declaration for Culture. The UN unanimously adopted the historic Declaration for Culture affirming culture as a “global public good” and calling for it to be integrated “as a specific goal in its own right” in the development agenda beyond 2030. The UN text defines a set of cultural rights that need to be taken into account in public policies. These range from the social and economic rights of artists to artistic freedom, the right of indigenous communities to safeguard their ancestral knowledge, and the protection and promotion of cultural and natural heritage. It also calls for substantial regulation of the digital sector, notably of the major platforms, for the benefit of online cultural diversity, artists’ intellectual property rights and fair access to content for all. Why does Cultural Diversity Matter?. Three-quarters of the world’s major conflicts have a cultural dimension. Bridging the gap between cultures is urgent and necessary for peace, stability and development. 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 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. Sustainable Development Goals. The narrative concerning World Day for Cultural Diversity cannot be held in isolation from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. In 2015, the 193 countries that make up the United Nations (UN) agreed to adopt the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The historic agenda lays out 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and targets for dignity, peace, and prosperity for the planet and humankind, to be completed by the year 2030. The agenda targets multiple areas for action, such as poverty and sanitation, and plans to build up local economies while addressing people's social needs. There are two specific development goals SDG 8, aimed at fostering long-lasting, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, with full and productive employment and decent work for all, and SDG 16, which promotes peace and justice, the rule of law, and overcoming all forms of abuse and violence. These are goals that, according to the United Nations, can only be achieved by tapping into the creative potential of the world's diverse cultures and engaging in an ongoing dialogue to ensure that all members of society benefit from sustainable development. The narrative concerning World Day for Cultural Diversity cannot be held in isolation from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. In 2015, the 193 countries that make up the United Nations (UN) agreed to adopt the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The historic agenda lays out 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and targets for dignity, peace, and prosperity for the planet and humankind, to be completed by the year 2030. The agenda targets multiple areas for action, such as poverty and sanitation, and plans to build up local economies while addressing people's social needs. Peaceful Existence. The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, the pending war between China and Taiwan, the war in Sudan are all examples of the importance that dialogue plays in countering wars and conflicts while at the same time fostering peaceful coexistence and development. On this World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development the UN urges discussion and cooperation among the world’s people regardless of race, religion, language, disability, culture or tradition. Tolerance and respect for diversity as well as the empowerment of women also needs urgent attention. Additionally, prosperity, sustainable development and global peace will be achieved as a result of sustainable systems of governance for culture. The UN adds that achieving a balanced flow of cultural goods and services and increased mobility of artists and cultural professionals are also critical elements for cultural diversity. It is also important that governments foster an integrated approach to culture in order to achieve sustainable development frameworks through the promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms. It is also imperative that on this Diversity Day that we all of us see ourselves as ambassadors of diversity and inclusion. This can be done by spreading information at every level. Every individual has a part to play in order to create a world rooted in a culture of inclusivity that respects the diverse views of others. In the words of Audrey Azoulay Director-General of UNESCO, on this Day, UNESCO would like to call upon everyone to celebrate cultural diversity, through which we will be able to build the intellectual and moral solidarity of humankind. Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues. waykam@yahoo.com @WayneCamo © #DiversityDay