To celebrate the richness of the world’s cultural diversity, every year on May 21, World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development is organized. The day addressed the importance of cultural diversity for dialogue in achieving peace and sustainable development.

Beginning of World Cultural Diversity Day

After UNESCO’s adoption of the 2001 Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, in the year 2002, the United Nations General Assembly celebrated the first World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development. The World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Growth is an opportunity to foster culture and highlight the importance of its diversity as an agent of inclusion and social change.

The message of Director General, UNESCO, on World Cultural Diversity Day 2020

Although COVID-19 has not succeeded in curbing dialogue among cultures, the long-term consequences of the crisis, especially in economic terms, might inflict severe damage on diversity, as periods of crisis are conducive to concentration and standardization. It is this insidious threat that looms.”– Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO

Impact of COVID 19 on the Cultural Sector

COVID 19 has highly impacted the cultural sector as all cultural events canceled, cultural institutions are closed, community cultural practices are suspended, and the cultural tourism sector greatly affected by it. The effect is not only cultural but it has harmed the social, political, and financial sectors also.

Information source: https://www.un.org/en/observances/cultural-diversity-day

https://en.unesco.org/commemorations/culturaldiversityday