Today we celebrate World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development.
This UN initiative is designed to raise awareness of cultural diversity and its benefits. Three-quarters of the world’s major conflicts have a cultural dimension, according to the UN. Bridging the gap between cultures is urgent and necessary for peace, stability and development.
Held every year on 21 May, the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development celebrates not only the richness of the world’s cultures, but also the essential role of intercultural dialogue for achieving peace and sustainable development. However, “for more than a year, the Covid-19 crisis has precipitated a cultural diversity crisis”, highlighted Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO. “The closure of museums and world heritage sites and the cancellation of festivals, concerts and ceremonies have plunged the world of culture into a distressing state of uncertainty, threatening in particular independent creators, who are the lifeblood of cultural diversity.”
CULTURAL CHALLENGES
UNESCO & the UN are therefore encouraging member states to invest more in the cultural and creative industries. The President of the United Nations General Assembly, Volkan Bozkır, will convene a High-level Event on Culture and Sustainable Development, organised in partnership with UNESCO, on 21 May to discuss this further. Participants will examine how investing in the creative economy could stimulate post-pandemic recovery.
Taking place on World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, the event, will highlight the transformative role of culture as an accelerator of the Sustainable Development Goals. It will also raise awareness of the challenges and opportunities facing the cultural and creative sector, which has demonstrated great resilience during the Covid-19 crisis. Click here for more information.
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