There will be a summary at the bottom of the post.

 

 

World Day for Cultural Awareness is celebrated on May 21st every year. The UN declared the date and celebration in December 2002. The purpose of the day is to strengthen our understanding of the values of cultural diversity, highlighting the richness of the world’s cultures and the essential role of intercultural dialogue in achieving peace and sustainable development. In 2005, the UN adopted these four goals:

• Support sustainable systems of governance for culture
• Achieve a balanced flow of cultural goods and services, and increase the mobility of artists and cultural professionals
• Integrate culture in sustainable development frameworks
• Promote human rights and fundamental freedoms

 

The Importance of Cultural Awareness

 

UNESCO has found that while the cultural sector stands for a large part of the trade and exchange between countries, the cultural exchanges are in large part limited to exchanges between developed* countries with other developed countries, and developing** countries with other developing countries. As UNESCO found that there had been a decrease in exchanges between developed and developing countries, they observed that great measures had been taken between developing countries to create their own market and cooperation for cultural exchanges

 

Today, there are great differences between developed and developing countries, both financially, culturally, and politically. The international community favors developed countries and often strengthens their position by prioritizing trade between financially and politically stable countries at great cost to countries that don’t have the same stability. The UNESCO report finds that “Global trade has also shown no signs of opening up to cultural services from developing countries”, which limits both the understanding and status of developing countries on the international stage. 

 

Cultural awareness and exchange strengthen countries and their citizens’ quality of life, financial situation, and opportunity to get an education, both through students having exchange years where they learn about other cultures, and by promoting cooperation to sustainability.

 

By being aware of the impact of different cultures' strengths and developments, we can begin to understand and work with, rather than against processes that encourage innovative and sustainable solutions, inclusive and diverse societies and workplaces. In addition, cultural awareness can provide a better understanding of the impact policies and human rights have on gender issues, and how one can strengthen women and their rights. 

 

How to Celebrate and Support

 

Attend or Organize Cultural Events:

 Join or host festivals, workshops, or performances showcasing different cultures.

 

 Educate Yourself and Others:

Learn about various cultures through books, documentaries, and classes, and share this knowledge.

 

Share on Social Media:

Promote cultural diversity and related events or stories online.

 

Support Cultural Organizations:

Volunteer with or donate to groups that focus on cultural diversity and dialogue.

 

Host Cultural Exchanges:

Organize potlucks, storytelling sessions, or cultural demonstrations to share and experience diverse traditions.

 

Engage in Dialogue:

Participate in or facilitate discussions on cultural diversity and inclusion in your community or workplace.

 

Advocate for Inclusive Policies:

Support and advocate for policies that promote cultural diversity and inclusion.

 

Explore Cultural Art and Media:

Visit museums, galleries, and theaters, or watch films that highlight different cultural perspectives.

 

 

* A developed country, or advanced country, is a sovereign state that has a high quality of life, developed economy, and advanced technological infrastructure relative to other less industrialized nations.

 ** A developing country is a sovereign state with a less developed industrial base and a lower Human Development Index relative to other countries.

However, these definitions are not universally agreed upon, and there is no clear agreement on which countries fit what category. We are using these terms as they are used in the UN reports.

 

 

Summary:

• World Day for Cultural Awareness is celebrated on May 21st every year.
• The purpose of the day is to strengthen our understanding of the values of cultural diversity.
• Celebrate and support World Day for Cultural Diversity by attending or organizing cultural events, educating yourself and others, sharing on social media, supporting cultural organizations, hosting cultural exchanges, engaging in dialogue, advocating for inclusive policies, and exploring cultural art and media.

 

 

With love,

The Inclusivity Group