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Cultural Diversity: The Common Heritage of Humanity

On today's "UNESCO World Day for Cultural Diversity, for Dialogue and Development" Director-General Irina Bokova emphasised the crucial importance of cultural diversity for a peaceful and respectful life together.

The World Day was first proclaimed in 2001 on the occasion of the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity's adoption. The declaration was adopted in the wake of the events of 11 September 2001:

"The Declaration aims both to preserve cultural diversity as a living, and thus renewable treasure that must not be perceived as being unchanging heritage but as a process guaranteeing the survival of humanity; and to prevent segregation and fundamentalism which, in the name of cultural differences, would sanctify those differences and so counter the message of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights."

In her message Bokova also stressed the role of culture for development:

"Cultural diversity is our shared heritage and the greatest opportunity before humanity. It holds the promise of renewal and dynamism, and an engine of innovation and development. It is also an invitation to dialogue, discovery and cooperation."

Discover more :

Read the full message and the full text of the Declaration on the website of UNESCO.

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