In 2001, the General Conference of UNESCO adopted the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, aiming to assist countries in creating conditions for dialogue among cultures and civilizations in the context of globalization while respecting and promoting cultural diversity.
The Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of 2003 and the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions of 2005 are the latest of seven international conventions through which UNESCO promotes and strengthens cultural diversity worldwide, continuing the work initiated by the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of 1972.
On the occasion of this important day, the Director-General of UNESCO, Mr. Koïchiro Matsuura, emphasizes: "We are at the end of one cycle and the beginning of another, which is more practical and concrete. This new activity, transitioning from law to action, puts us in a position to prove, based on the general principles embedded in our standards-setting instruments, that cultural diversity is indeed the driving force behind sustainable development and as such, a crucial tool in the fight against poverty."
Cultural diversity cannot be imposed by decree; it is lived and observed. The goal of the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development is therefore to nurture the experience of this diversity in the spirit of curiosity, engaging in dialogue and mutual listening, to test the practical development opportunities offered by cultural entrepreneurship, the creative industries, cultural tourism, and the preservation of cultural heritage. Cultural diversity is a symbol of efforts to prevent the uniform development of the world by promoting the development of diverse world cultures. It is the starting point for coexistence and the inclusion of all people, serving as the foundation for living in a multicultural world. It is an important factor in development, and its respect is also the respect for human rights. In this way, UNESCO reaffirms its commitment to promoting the "intellectual and moral solidarity of humanity."
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