World Day for cultural diversity
Promotion of understanding and development World Day of cultural diversity for dialogue
On the twenty-first of May, UNESCO commemorates the World Day of cultural diversity for dialogue and development, with the prominent aim of highlighting the richness of the diversity of cultures in the world and highlighting the role of intercultural dialogue in promoting peace and sustainable development.
UNESCO studies indicate that 89% of the current conflicts in the world occur in countries where there is little cultural dialogue. Hence the importance of promoting intercultural dialogue as a basis for strengthening cooperation and maintaining peace.
Strengthening the cultural and creative sector is a pillar of sustainable development
The cultural and creative sector is one of the most powerful engines of development around the world, according to “UNESCO”data. Culture accommodates more than 48 million jobs globally, with women accounting for almost half of these jobs. Despite this, the cultural and creative sector continues to suffer from a lack of appreciation in public policies and international cooperation.
To protect the diversity of cultural expressions, delegations from 150 countries gathered in Mexico in September 2022, for the largest global conference dedicated to culture in the last forty years, the UNESCO World Conference on cultural policies and sustainable development 2022. The conference unanimously adopted the landmark declaration on culture, which emphasizes the ” universal public good of culture” and calls for its integration “as a specific goal in itself” into the post-2030 development agenda.
The text defines a set of cultural rights that must be taken into account in public policies, among which are artistic freedom and the right of Indigenous communities to protect their ancestral knowledge, the protection and promotion of cultural and natural heritage, as well as the regulation of the digital sector, intellectual property rights of artists and fair access to content for all.
The role of culture in achieving sustainable development vision and challenges
With the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by the United Nations in September 2015, and the resolution on culture and sustainable development adopted by the General Assembly in December 2015, the message of the World Cultural Diversity Day for dialogue and development has become more important than ever. The UNESCO Culture indicators 2030 are a framework of objective indicators aimed at measuring and monitoring progress in the capacity and contribution of culture to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
UNESCO adopted the “Universal Declaration on cultural diversity” in 2001, and the General Assembly declared May 21 as the International Day of cultural diversity for dialogue and development in December 2002. In 2015, the second committee of the General Assembly unanimously adopted the draft resolution on culture and sustainable development, which emphasized the contribution of culture to sustainable development and considered it a decisive factor in achieving it.
Objectives of the convention on the protection and promotion of the diversity of cultural expressions
1. Promoting sustainable cultural governance systems
The objective of this paragraph is to support the establishment and strengthening of systems and structures that ensure the continuity and effectiveness of the management and organization of the cultural sector.
2. Achieving a balanced exchange of cultural goods and services and the movement of artists and cultural specialists
This goal is aimed at promoting cultural exchange between countries and facilitating the movement of cultural goods and services, artists and cultural specialists.
3. Integrating culture into sustainable development programs and policies
This objective focuses on integrating the cultural dimension into sustainable development programs to ensure a balance between the economic, social and cultural dimensions.
4. Promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms
This objective aims to protect and promote human rights and fundamental freedoms in the context of cultural, artistic and creative expression.
Promoting cultural understanding the mission of the secretariat
The Secretariat-General emphasizes the importance of the universal celebration, which contributes to raising awareness of the importance of multiculturalism and acceptance of the other, in affirmation of the principles and values set forth in the UNESCO Universal Declaration on cultural diversity.
It also emphasizes the importance of cultural diversity in enriching the civilizations of nations and peoples, and building bridges of communication between followers of different cultures, in order to combat intolerance and racial discrimination in all its forms.
The Secretariat-General reaffirms that the dialogue of civilizations and cultures constitutes the cornerstone of building harmonious cultural diversity, and is the best means of understanding the other and knowing his culture, and spreading the values of tolerance, understanding and mutual respect among different nations and peoples, thereby enhancing global peace and security and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
AHAD is a partner in building sustainable communities in Africa
AHAD operates widely on the African continent, especially in the countries of Central and West Africa. Through a range of activities in the health, education, water and development sectors, AHAD aims to improve the quality of life of the poor and disadvantaged in the regions where it operates.
Ahad is aware of the cultural and social specificity of the communities it serves, and therefore adopts strategies that enable it to invest the capabilities and skills of members of these communities, in order to achieve a lasting positive impact on their lives and future, and enhance their ability to actively participate in the development of their communities towards sustainability.
AHAD adopts the motto “because they deserve life ” as the basic principle guiding its work and efforts.
As a Hyatt Foundation for Africa, we attach great importance to collaborating with institutions and individuals who share our same vision and dedication to creating sustainable change in the communities we serve. If you would like to cooperate with us, please contact by email for more information.
You can visit the ahad Association website to find out more about the projects it offers
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