After the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization or UNESCO’s adoption of the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity last November 2001 in Paris, France, the United Nation’s General Assembly has declared May 21 as the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development. First observed in 2003, it aims to emphasize the relationships between the protection of cultural diversity and the significance of dialogue between civilizations in the modern world.  Declared after the United Nations Year for Cultural Heritage in the year 2002, here are the different facts about World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development.

10. Background

After the wake of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, the United Nation adopted the 249th resolution at the 57th session of the United Nations Conference, which was a culmination of years of work. The goal of the resolution was to reaffirm the need for intercultural dialogue o prevent segregation and fundamentalism among nations. May 21 should provide people the opportunity to understand deeply the values of cultural diversity and to learn to live together or co-exist better. UNESCO is therefore appealing to its member states as well as the civil society to celebrate this World Day with more participants as possible. However, this is just an observance and not a public holiday.

9. Aims of UNESCO’s Resolution

The proclamation of this day is based on the principle that ‘tolerance and respect for cultural diversity and universal promotion and protection of human rights, including the right to development, are mutually supportive.’ In essence, it was established based on the relationship between culture and development; once the culture is enhanced, prosperity and global peace can be easily attained. The new World Day is a culmination of commitments undertaken by the international community such as the Report of the World Commission on Culture and Development, the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, the Declaration of the Stockholm Conference Action Plan on Cultural Policies for Development, and the proclamation of 2002’s United Nations Year of Cultural Heritage.

8. Why is there a need for this World Day?

This is not only to fight against the imbalances that exist in the global exchanges of cultural goods and the need for cultural policies in developing countries; but most importantly, to stress the importance of preserving the world’s most vulnerable cultures that are now heading to extinction. It can also be a means to highlight the importance of bringing awareness to the value of cultural diversity in a number of languages and in recognizing the contribution of traditional knowledge for environmental protection.

7. Events

The events organized for the World Day observance on May 21 aims to increase the understanding of issues around cultural diversity and development among the public, the non-governmental organizations, and the governments worldwide. A number of these events involved the presentations on the progress and implementations of the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity. These would include seminars for professionals, the launching of collaborations between official agencies and various ethic groups, and educational programs for children and young adolescents. There will also be exhibits to help people understand the history of various cultural groups and the influence on their own identities, and celebrations to create greater awareness of cultural values and the need to preserve them.

6. What is Culture?

Every country has its own culture that encompasses their language, literature and the arts. It also involves one’s belief, tradition, values system, and way of living. Respecting and protecting one’s culture are basic human rights that everyone should follow, regardless of race, color, or nationality. Since everyone should be able to participate in the cultural life o their choice, the Convention that aims to protect and promote the diversity of cultural expression was adopted in October 2005. The Convention outlines the obligations and legal rights concerning international cooperation for the protection of cultural diversity throughout the world.

5. Things People Do to Celebrate the Event

For the observance of the UN World Day for Cultural Diversity, people can have a movie night and watch an international movie that reflects a country’s culture. The media, including some Hollywood blockbuster films had been instrumental in promoting cultural diversity not only in the past, but in present times as well. You can also have a diversity and inclusion party by showcasing products, food, or traditional costumes of the various ethic group in your country. You can also spread the word about the observance of this World Day by hashtagging or #DoOneThing in Twitter and other social networking sites.

4. The 2013 Campaign

The 2013 campaign, “Do One Thing for Diversity and Inclusion,” encourages people and organizations from around the world to take concrete action to support diversity. It aims to raise awareness worldwide about the importance of intercultural dialogue, diversity and inclusion to attain worldwide peace. It also aims to build a world community of individuals that will commit to support diversity through their daily actions; and to fight polarization and stereotypes to improve their understanding and cooperation among people coming from different cultures. This event will also be celebrated in countries that embraced their varied cultural history and acknowledge the importance and need of embracing it.

3. Popular People Involved in the Diversity Day Campaign

Well-known figures in politics and religion, movies, philanthropists, in the fields of science and the arts, etc. are used in the handouts to create awareness to this worldwide campaign. The list includes Mahnaz Afkhami, Kofi Annan, Isaac Asimov, Ruth Fulton Benedict, Jimmy Carter, and Pablo Casals. There is also Jackie Chan, the Dalai Lama, Eugene V. Debs, and other deceased historical figures.

2. How to join the campaign?

Individuals who want to join the campaign can ‘like’ the organization’s page on Facebook, DoOneThingforDiversityandInclusion; promote it by sharing it with your friends, and organize an event in your area and contact the organizers so they can put your event under the umbrella of the campaign.

1. Do One Thing for Diversity and Inclusion

There are simple things that you can do to become a part of this campaign, which may include visiting an art exhibit or museum that is dedicated to other cultures, learn about another religion, or listen to musical tradition from another culture. You can also play a sport related to a different culture, invite friends over and cook traditional food, or learn about the traditional celebrations from other cultures. You can also volunteer with an organization working for diversity and inclusion, learn another language, or spread the word to your family and friends and invite people from different culture to share your customs.