The Origin

Dialogue and Diversity Day, otherwise known as World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, is marked annually on the 21st of May. This day celebrates the role culture plays in ensuring peace and continuous development in countries, and intercultural dialogue. After UNESCO adopted the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity (which acknowledged the necessity of culture for peace), The United Nations General Assembly established this day to promote the diversity of cultures and the act of participating in dialogues with other cultures to help establish peace and sustainable development worldwide. Since then, the United Nations General Assembly has also adopted Resolution A/C.2/70/L.59 on Culture and Sustainable Development, which only further highlights the importance of cultural diversity. 

Importance of the Day

Dialogue and Diversity Day highlights how crucial cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue is for the establishment of peace and development. 89 percent of current conflicts in the world today occur in countries that lack intercultural dialogue or are segregated due to poor communication. Furthermore, around ¾ of conflicts around the world exist because of cultural disputes. A large number of these conflicts and future conflicts could perhaps be avoided with more intercultural dialogue. Uniting different cultures is needed for economic growth, poverty reduction, and more. The awareness of cultural diversity is important for creating mutual respect between different civilizations and cultures. With this mutual respect and the celebration of this day, society stands to be far more unified and integrated, which helps the world be more peaceful. 

Theme for 2025

The theme for 2025 of Dialogue and Diversity Day centers around working towards achieving the four goals from the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions adopted on 20 October 2005. These four goals, as stated by the United Nations in their article about the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, are to support sustainable systems of governance for culture, achieve a balanced flow of cultural goods and services and increase mobility of artists and cultural professionals, integrate culture in sustainable development frameworks, and promote human rights and fundamental freedoms. 

UNESCO BMW’s Involvement 

UNESCO BMW is an organization that stands for peace, sustainability, and diverse art. In fact, two of its main initiatives include support for the art communities and promotion of eco-environmental sustainability. Support for the art communities is helpful to the diversification of art as more and more cultural artists are creating diverse pieces that reflect their cultural values. With lesser-known, marginalized cultural artists being uplifted, the face of art can change for the better. The promotion of eco-environmental sustainability is also important as intercultural dialogue is necessary for sustainable development. By promoting sustainability, UNESCO BMW is also promoting intercultural dialogue and cultural diversity. 

UNESCO BMW’s Vision

Our vision focuses around celebrating the cultures of the world today, and all they have done for the furtherment of world peace and sustainable, eco-friendly development. Our organization is made up of people from all different cultures, and we are open for individuals of any background to join our programs (such as the ReWind Program). Our vision mission’s key focal point is joining cultures together in hopes of developing a nation where intercultural dialogue is common in every country and peace is prevalent. 

By: Vallerie Kalekar

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