World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development

Description :

World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development is celebrated on 21st May every year around the world. This international day was proclaimed by the United Nations to promote diversity and dialogue issues. Also, this day invites everyone to do their part to bridge the gap between cultures. UNESCO leads the celebration of World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development. Further, this day plays important role in intercultural dialogue for achieving peace and sustainable development. This day is also called Diversity Day.

UNESCO adopted the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity in the year 2001, identifying the need to enhance the potential of culture as a means of achieving prosperity, sustainable development, and global peaceful coexistence. Based on that, in December 2002, the United Nations General Assembly first declared 21st May as World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development in its resolution 57/249.

Later, in the year 2015, the second committee of the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted the resolution on Culture and Sustainable Development (A/C.2/70/L.59) to acknowledge the natural and cultural diversity of the world and affirm culture’s contribution to the sustainable development. This resolution is very important to World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development. Also, it helps to draw upon the creative potential of the world’s diverse cultures, and engage in continuous dialogue to ensure that all members of the society.

This day provides an opportunity to go forward with the four goals of the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. As per this UNESCO Convention, goals are,

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.

World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development was created due to the destruction of the Buddha statues of Bamiyan in Afghanistan in the year 2001. Also, this day provides an opportunity to learn how to live together in harmony and help communities understand the value of cultural diversity.

Category : Cultural