NAMCHRCD Message for Commemoration of 21 May as the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development

Cultural diversity is a driving force of development not only with respect to economic growth but also as a means of leading a more fulfilling intellectual emotional moral and spiritual life. Cultural diversity is thus an asset that is indispensable for poverty reduction and the achievement of sustainable development. NAM Center for Human Rights and Cultural Diversity (NAMCHRCD) commemorates World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development. Hold every year on 21 May the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development highlights not only the richness of the world’s cultures but also the essential role of intercultural dialogue for achieving peace and sustainable development.

NAM Center for Human Rights and Cultural Diversity (NAMCHRCD) commemorates World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development.

Hold every year on 21 May, the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development highlights not only the richness of the world’s cultures, but also the essential role of intercultural dialogue for achieving peace and sustainable development.

The day provides us with an opportunity to deepen our understanding of the values of cultural diversity and to advance the goals of the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, adopted on 20 October 2005, inter alia; Achieving a balanced flow of cultural goods and services and increase mobility of artists and cultural professionals; Integrating culture in sustainable development frameworks; as well as Promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Based on facts and figures released by UN Agencies, three-quarters of the world’s major conflicts have a cultural dimension, including the ongoing International Armed Conflict (IAC) that has culminated in destruction of tens of world cultural heritage sites in Western Asia. Bridging the gap between cultures as well as protection of cultural heritage is urgent and necessary for peace, stability and development.

Cultural diversity is a driving force of development, not only with respect to economic growth, but also as a means of leading a more fulfilling intellectual, emotional, moral and spiritual life. Cultural diversity is thus an asset that is indispensable for poverty reduction and the achievement of sustainable development.

Development assistance devoted to culture and recreation is on the decline and although the flow of cultural goods and services globally continues to rise, there has been very little progress in addressing the vast disparity between developed and developing countries. Very strong inequalities also persist in the cultural and creative sectors, like those faced by many women and children.

NAMCHRCD recommends covering such gaps through dialogue and cultural exchange and cooperation among NAM member states.

Today, the world is grappling with wars and threats against civilizations and cultural heritage and manifestations while violence and rhetoric to destroy the most ancient civilizations on earth is a familiar phenomenon seen on daily news worldwide. Such a vivid deviation from UN Charter endangers global security and peaceful coexistence as well as a world free of violence based on international cooperation and multilateralism.

NAM Center for Human Rights and Cultural Diversity following its mandates assigned through various NAM Summit and Ministerial documents; including “Tehran Declaration and Programme of Action on Human Rights and Cultural Diversity” adopted in NAM Ministerial Meeting, 3-4 September 2007, celebrates the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development and asserts that “Peace is not Unity in Similarity, but Unity in Diversity, Comparison and Conciliation of Differences.”

   

NAM Center for Human Rights and Cultural Diversity

21 May, 2026