The World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development is an opportunity to unleash the creative potential of our different languages and traditions – and to ensure that these differences enrich and strengthen us, instead of dividing us. The words of UNESCO’s Constitution, drafted 70 years ago, have not aged a day: dialogue can vanquish all misunderstanding and open up an infinite horizon of possibilities for peace and development.” - Ms. Irina Bokova, Director-General, UNESCO

20 May 2015, Nairobi - Culture is a vehicle for economic development, social cohesion, stability and environmental sustainability and brings about resilient communities. Culture consists of both tangible and intangible heritage, creative industries and all kinds of artistic expressions supporting and leading towards the development of dynamic and flourishing knowledge societies.

As of yet, culture was not included in het Millennium Development Goals neither in the 17 Sustainable Development Goals proposed by an Open Working Group established by the UN General Assembly. Therefore, the celebration of the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development provides an opportunity and platform to mobilize national cultural sector stakeholders in order to create awareness about the role and importance of culture in sustainable development, as well as to highlight the importance of the inclusion of culture in the post-2015 SDG’s agenda.

UNESCO, together with the National Commission for UNESCO, the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) and sister agencies in the UN, organises a ROUNDTABLE on “Culture and development in the post 2015 Development Agenda: Dialogues from Kenya” on 21 May, 2015 in celebrating the World Day for Cultural Diversity and Dialogue for Developent at UN Gigiri complex in Nairobi. The roundtable will be interactive in nature, involving speakers on the theme of culture and development who will touch upon aspects such as the creative economy, gender equality, youth empowerment as well as the need for synergy and coordination within the context of devolution. In addition to the panel, the audience will consist of diverse cultural stakeholders that represent different profiles in the sector. The outcomes of the discussions will eventually lead to the publication of the Report “Culture and Development in the post-2015 Development Agenda: Dialogues from Kenya”. Our cultural diversity is the common heritage of humanity. It is a source of renewal of ideas and societies, through which we open up to others and craft new ways of thinking.

· Press Release and Roundtable Event Programme

· Message from Ms Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, on the occasion of World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, 21 May 2015

For contact:

Ms. Mulekeni Ngulube, UNESCO Cultural Programme Specialist: +254 (0)20 762 2621, md.ngulube(at)unesco.org

Mr. Masakazu Shiabta, UNESCO Public Information Officer: +254 (0)20 762 2347, m.shibata(at)unesco.org