Celebrating World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue 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. The United Nations General Assembly first declared this World Day in 2002, following UNESCO’s adoption of the 2001 Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, recognizing the need to “enhance the potential of culture as a means of achieving prosperity, sustainable development and global peaceful coexistence.”
With the adoption in September 2015 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by the United Nations, and the Resolution A/C.2/70/L.59 on Culture and Sustainable Development adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 2015 , the message of the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development is more important than ever. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals can best be achieved by drawing upon the creative potential of the world’s diverse cultures, and engaging in continuous dialogue to ensure that all members of society benefit from sustainable development.
The World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development is an occasion to promote culture and highlight the significance of its diversity as an agent of inclusion and positive change. It represents an opportunity to celebrate culture’s manifold forms, from the tangible and intangible, to creative industries, to the diversity of cultural expressions, and to reflect on how these contribute to dialogue, mutual understanding, and the social, environmental and economic vectors of sustainable development.
All are invited to join in, and promote the values of cultural diversity, dialogue and development across our globe.
Today is an opportunity for us all to celebrate the tremendous benefits of cultural diversity, including humanity’s rich intangible heritage, and to reaffirm our commitment to building a more peaceful world, founded on the values of mutual understanding and intercultural dialogue.
Irina Bokova, Director General
World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development 2017
Cultural Diversity through Intangible Cultural Heritage
- Gule Wamkulu / Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia
- Kankurang / Gambia, Senegal
- Language, dance and music of the Garifuna / Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua
- Ayamara communities / Bolivia, Chile and Peru
- Gelede / Benin, Nigeria, Togo
- Falconry / UAE, Austria, Belgium, Czechia, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Kazakhstan, Korea, Mongolia, Morocco, Pakistan, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Syria
- Lavash, Katyrma, Jupka Yufka / Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgystan, Turkey
- Puppetry / Slovakia / Czechia
- Wall-carpet / Romania, Moldova
- Arabic Coffee / UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar
- Majlis / UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar
- Tugging rituals and games / Cambodia, Philippines, Korea, Vietnam
- Mediterranean diet / Cyprus, Croatia, Spain, Greece, Italy, Morocco, Portugal
- Imzad of the Tuareg communities / Algeria, Mali, Niger
- Senufo communities / Mali, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast
- Sosso-bala / Guinea
DECLARATIONS
- Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity (2001) (PDF)
- Read the Declaration in the other national and local languages
- Universal Declaration of Human Rights
- Hangzhou Declaration – Placing Culture at the Heart of Sustainable Development Policies (2013) (PDF)
- 2016 The Ngorogoro Declaration
- 2014 Florence Declaration
- 2017 The Florence Declaration
Related Links
- UNESCO Official Proclamation of 21 May as World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development (2002) (PDF)
- Resolution Adopted by UN General Assembly on 20 December 2013 on Culture and Sustainable Development (2013) (PDF)
- Recommendation Concerning the Promotion and Use of Multilingualism and Universal Access to Cyberspace (PDF)
- Why does cultural diversity matter?
- United Nations Alliance of Civilizations
- International Jazz Day 2017
- International Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2024)
- International Decade for the Rapprochement of Cultures (2013—2022)
- Museums
UNESCO'S CULTURAL CONVENTIONS
- Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (2005)
- Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (2003)
- Convention for the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage (2001)
- Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (1972)
- Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property (1970)
- Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (1954)