The United Nations(UN)’s World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development is annually observed across the globe on 21st May to highlight the richness of the World’s culture and to create awareness about the essential role of intercultural dialogue in achieving peace and sustainable development.
- The celebration of the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development is annually led by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
- The first-ever World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development was observed on 21st May 2003.
Background;
- The United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/57/249 in December 2002 and proclaimed the 21st May of every year as the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development.
- The UNGA resolution follows the UNESCO’s adoption of the 2001 Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, which recognises the need to enhance the potential of culture as a means of achieving prosperity, sustainable development and global peaceful coexistence.”
- In 2015, the 2nd Committee of the UNGA adopted the resolution A/C.2/70/L.59 on Culture and Sustainable Development, affirming culture’s contribution to the 3 dimensions of sustainable development, acknowledging further the natural and cultural diversity of the world.
Key points
i.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 Expressions adopted 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
- Promote human rights and fundamental freedoms
ii.The cultural sector accounts for 3.1% of global Gross domestic product (GDP) and 6.2% of all employment.
UNESCO Report: Re|Shaping Policies for Creativity:
i.The UNESCO Global Report titled “Re|Shaping policies for creativity: addressing culture as a global public good” 2022, the 3rd edition of a series designed to monitor the implementation of the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions was released.
ii.The report provides a global overview of the state of the cultural and creative sectors, through insightful new data that highlights the emerging trends at a global level and puts forward policy recommendations to foster creative ecosystems which will contribute to a sustainable world by 2030 and beyond.
Decade for the Rapprochement of Cultures (2013-2022)
i.2022 marks the end of the International Decade for the Rapprochement of Cultures (2013-2022), which seeks to promote mutual understanding and reciprocal knowledge of cultural, ethnic, linguistic and religious diversity.
ii.The UNGA resolution A/RES/67/104 adopted on 17th December 2012 proclaimed the decade 2013-2022 as a Decade for the Rapprochement of Cultures.
About the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO):
Director-General– Audrey Azoulay
Headquarters– Paris, France
