ISLAMABAD: The World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development will be marked on Sunday (May 21) across the world, including Pakistan, to guide the masses in learning about the importance of cultural diversity and harmony.
Scores of events would be arranged to enhance the understanding of issues related to cultural diversity and development among governments, non-governmental organizations, and the masses. Some of the events would focus on the progress of implementing the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity.
Other events comprise educational and learning programs for children and young adolescents and other events to make people aware to understand the history of various cultural groups and their impact on their own identities.
Cultural Diversity Day tends to be marked in countries that embrace their varied cultural history and acknowledge the importance of embracing it.
World Day for Cultural Diversity and Development
It is worth noting here that the General Conference of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) adopted the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity in the capital Paris(France), on November 2, 2001.
It was the 249th resolution adopted at the 57th session of the UN General Conference. The declaration was approved in the context of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, which reaffirmed the need for intercultural dialogue to discourage segregation and fundamentalism.
The year 2002 was the UN Year for Cultural Heritage. On December 20, 2002, the UN General Assembly declared May 21 to be marked as the World Day for Cultural Diversity, Dialogue, and Development.
The General Assembly underscored links between the protection of cultural diversity and the significance of dialogue between civilizations in the contemporary world. The day was first observed in 2003.
