The adoption of Unesco's Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity in November 2001, the General Assembly of the United Nations proclaimed May 21, as 'World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development.'
The Day will provide an opportunity to deepen understanding of the values of cultural diversity and to learn to 'live together better. This is why Unesco appeals to the member states as well as to all civil society to celebrate this day by involving as many actors and partners as possible.
World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development and invited all member states, inter-governmental bodies, organisations of the United Nations system and relevant non-governmental organisations, inter alia, to create public awareness about the wealth of cultural diversity and, in particular, to encourage, through education and the media, knowledge of the value of cultural diversity.
Under the Unesco Constitution, it is organisation's duty to promote 'the fruitful diversity of the cultures'. Now cultures today are threatened by factors which are very diverse: in one place, the unwarranted defence of a national identity is endangering the culture of minority groups; in another, it is in the name of religion that cultural practices are being put to the test.
Nearly everywhere, under the influence of rampant globalisation, languages are falling into disuse, traditions are being forgotten and vulnerable cultures are being marginalised, if not wiped out. The risk of a dramatic reduction in the spectrum of cultural diversity is high.
The earth's rainbow cannot be reduced to one or other of its colours without compromising the heritage of future generations and the survival of the human species.
It was this awareness that lay behind the adoption, in 2001, of the Unesco Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, and the 20 main lines of an action plan for a new understanding of the relationship between diversity, dialogue and development.
The Unesco Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity is an outstanding tool for dialogue and development. Each must carry the message to the heart of his or her society so that cultural plurality may become, through the dialogue of cultures, a shared wealth.
It is only in this way that we shall avoid tragic rifts and that we may hope to achieve development sustainability, secured by the sustainability of cultural diversity and of the pursuit of constructive and vigilant dialogue.