The World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development is an international day of celebration of cultures. It is recognized by the United Nations (UN) and is celebrated on May 21 every year. This is an opportunity to unleash the potential of our different cultures and to ensure that these differences enrich and strengthen us, instead of dividing us.
Origin of World Day for Cultural Diversity:
The birth of World Cultural Day is linked with the UNESCO’s adoption of Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity in 2001. In order to emphasize the link between protection of cultural diversity and the dialogue between nations, the General Assembly of United Nations created the World Day for Cultural Diversity in 2002. It proclaimed May 21 as day of celebration and the first World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development was observed on May 21, 2003.
Cultural diversity is a shared heritage, which offers the greatest opportunity before humankind. It could by a dynamic engine of innovation and development. It can also promote dialogue, discovery and cooperation. But cultural diversity of our world is under attack by extremists, who destructs our heritage and culture. These evil forces always seek to destroy our cultural diversity, which is the symbol of free thought and creativity. People of the world must respond to protect their freedom by protecting the cultural diversity. The World Day for Cultural Diversity is an opportunity to unleash the potential of different languages and traditions of the world and also to ensure that the differences in culture enrich and strengthen the humankind.
Celebrating World Day for Cultural Diversity:
The World Cultural Diversity Days is being celebrated since 2003. The day is marked by various culture related events organized by governments, groups and individuals. In 2011, UNESCO launched a campaign called ‘Do one thing for diversity and inclusion’ to celebrate the annual World Day for Cultural Diversity. This campaign encourages everyone to speak up and take action to promote and support diversity. Individuals can celebrate World Day for Cultural Heritage day by doing many things on a personal level. For example: visiting a museum that reflects the cultures, reading a book on a different culture, learning a different language, learning about celebrations of a different culture etc. At group level, people can organize exhibitions, seminars, talks etc., related to different cultures and traditions.