Cultural Diversity

• © 2007 UNESCO Jakarta
• Poster of the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity

Culture is a set of distinctive spiritual, material, intellectual and emotional features of society or a social group. It encompasses, in addition to art and literature, lifestyles, ways of living together, values systems, traditions and beliefs. Respecting and safeguarding culture is a matter of Human Rights. Cultural Diversity presupposes respect of fundamental freedoms, namely freedom of thought, conscience and religion, freedom of opinion and expression, and freedom to participate in the cultural life of one's choice.

The adoption of the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity by the General Conference in 2001 confirmed the Organization’s commitment to ensure the preservation and promotion of the fruitful diversity of cultures.

Placing culture at the heart of development policy constitutes an essential investment in the world's future and a pre-condition to successful globalization processes.

See also:

UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity Document
(PDF 789.13kb) in French, English, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Arabic (download PDF reader)