UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity
UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity | |
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Created | 2 November 2001 |
Location | UNeDocs[1] |
Purpose | Cultural diversity |
The Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity is a declaration adopted unanimously by the General Conference of the
Background
Writing of the declaration began in October 2000, at the request of the UNESCO's Executive Board.
The declaration was the first international instrument enshrining the value of cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue. As a declaration rather than a convention or a treaty, it is not legally binding on member states and does not require ratification by their own legislatures. Instead, it establishes norms and expectations for the 185 signatory member states to follow.[2]
Content
The declaration defines "culture" as "the set of distinctive spiritual, material, intellectual and emotional features of society or a social group", noting that this includes lifestyles, value systems, traditions, and beliefs in addition to creative works. Earlier UNESCO documents had used "culture" to mean masterpieces; around the time of this declaration, UNESCO started using "culture" in a broader way that matches its use in anthropology.[5] The declaration contains twelve articles.[6]
- Article 1 states that "as a source of exchange, innovation and creativity, cultural diversity is as necessary for humankind as biodiversity is for nature. In this sense, it is the common heritage of humanity and should be recognized and affirmed for the benefit of present and future generations."
- Article 2 identifies cultural pluralism ("policies for the inclusion and participation of all citizens") as a policy response to, and promoter of, cultural diversity.
- Article 3 identifies cultural diversity as one of the roots of development, where "development" means individual flourishing as well as the growth of an economy.
- Article 4 specifies that cultural diversity may not infringe upon human rights guaranteed by international law.
- Article 5 affirms linguistic rights as cultural rights in accordance with International Bill of Human Rights.
- Article 6 affirms freedom of expression, media pluralism and multilingualism.
- Article 7 calls for "heritage in all its forms [to] be preserved, enhanced and handed on to future generations" to support creativity and inter-cultural dialogue.
- Article 8 asks that cultural goods "must not be treated as mere commodities" but must be recognised as bearers of values and meaning.
- Article 9 calls on each state to "create conditions conducive to the production and dissemination of diversified cultural goods" with appropriate policies.
- Article 10 calls for international cooperation so that developing and transitional countries can build viable cultural industries.
- Article 11 affirms the importance of public policy and of partnerships between private, public, and civil institutions, given that market forces alone cannot protect cultural diversity.
- Article 12 defines the role of UNESCO: to incorporate the principles of the declaration in other international bodies, and to act as a forum in which many kinds of organisation can develop ideas and policies in support of cultural diversity.
The action plan connects cultural diversity to human rights more explicitly than the cautious language of the articles. It mentions linguistic diversity, free expression, the protection of indigenous languages and knowledge, and the free movement of people.[5]
Assessment
The American lawyer Juliette Passer describes the declaration as "one of the most beautifully written international documents" whose text and action plan "can be an outstanding educational tool for developing a dialogue about diversity while humanizing globalization."[2]
Related activities
Other UNESCO activities since 2001 continue the theme of protecting and promoting cultural diversity. These include the 2005
To celebrate the tenth anniversary of the declaration in 2011, the then UNESCO Director-General
The composer and conductor Daniel Barenboim is one of the public figures who identifies the declaration as an inspiration: "Each and every one of us has his or her own responsibility to foster these values in his of her area of action." Barenboim leads the West–Eastern Divan Orchestra — composed of musicians from Israel, the Palestinian territories and Arab countries — which has been designated a UN Global Advocate for Cultural Understanding.[20] Sumi Jo, the South Korean soprano and UNESCO Artist for Peace, says she was inspired by UNESCO's commitment to cultural diversity to use her singing to bring together different cultures.[21]
References
- ^ "UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity". UNESCO Digital Library. 2002. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
- ^ a b c d Passer, Juliette (Autumn 2020). "Did You Know That There Is the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity? And Why You Should Care?". International In-House Counsel Journal. 13 (53): 6811.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-135-19070-5.
- ^ Matsuura, Kōichirō (2002). "Cultural Diversity: a Vision". In Stenou, Katérina (ed.). UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity: a vision, a conceptual platform, a pool of ideas for implementation, a new paradigm (Cultural Diversity Series No. 1). UNESCO. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
- ^ ISBN 978-90-04-15752-1.
- ^ "Universal Declaration of Cultural Diversity". Office of the United Nations High Commissioner of Human Rights. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-3999-1149-8.
- ISBN 978-92-3-104077-1.
- ISBN 978-90-04-15752-1.
- ^ "World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development". United Nations. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
- ISBN 978-1-3999-1149-8.
- ^ Bokova, Irina (13 July 2011). "Celebration of the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity". UNESCO Digital Library. Archived from the original on 4 February 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
- ^ Bokova, Irina (2 November 2011). "Address by Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO on the occasion of the Special Plenary Session of the 36th General Conference for the Celebration of the Tenth Anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity". UNESCO Digital Library. Archived from the original on 4 February 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
- ISBN 978-1-3999-1149-8.
- ISBN 978-1-3999-1149-8.
- ISBN 978-1-3999-1149-8.
- ISBN 978-1-3999-1149-8.
- ISBN 978-1-3999-1149-8.
- ^ "MONDIACULT 2022 | UNESCO". www.unesco.org. Retrieved 3 May 2022.
- ISBN 978-1-3999-1149-8.
- ISBN 978-1-3999-1149-8.
External links
- Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish.