Many cultures, but one civilization

From 7 May to 3 June, a book exhibition “Many cultures, but one civilization”, devoted to World Day of Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, runs in the Documents of International Organizations Reading Room (room 207).

Culture with its rich diversity is one of most important values of mankind. However, there exists a serious danger that cultural diversity over the world can be sharply reduced. Almost everywhere globalization causes the disappearance of languages, traditions, original cultures. Therefore, the UN General Assembly proclaimed 21 May as World Day of Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development in its resolution (A/RES/57/249) of 20 December, 2002, to make arrangement in preserving many cultures and their diversity and maintaining equal partnership and solidarity. It has been decided to celebrate this date annually since 2003.

This Day gives the world community an opportunity to realize better values of cultural diversity and learn of cooperation with other countries. The resolution marks that Equitable exchange and dialogue among civilizations, cultures and peoples, based on mutual understanding and respect and the equal dignity of all cultures is the essential prerequisite for constructing social cohesion, reconciliation among peoples and peace among nations.

Cultural diversity is thus an asset that is indispensable for poverty reduction and the achievement of sustainable development. Cultural diversity is a driving force of development, not only in respect of economic growth, but also as a means of leading a more fulfilling intellectual, emotional, moral and spiritual life.

The celebration of World Day of Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development promotes preservation of national originality, cultural and language diversity, tangible and iintantible cultural heritage.

For last years much attention has been giving to the international legal regulations in the field of culture, as cultural rights are an integral part of human rights. According to many international legal acts every person has a right to participate in cultural life of his own choice and follow his cultural traditions. This principals are reflected in the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity adopted by UNESCO in 2001. This declaration is the first international legal instrument devoted to cultural diversity. It is based on the set of principles for creating more peaceable and fair society based on mutual respect and tolerance. Its aim to seek recognition of cultural diversity not as a fact as well as the source of innovation, exchange and creativity which forms the basis of humanity.

The exhibition presents over 100 documents in Russian, English, French and German. Most part of the exposition contains documents of international organizations: books, brochures, the UN mimeography materials, periodicals, booklets.

The exposition contains the following sections:

• Cultural dialogue in the interest of substantial development;
• Cultural convergence of and process of peacebuilding;
• Interregional dialogue is an important component of cultural convergence;
• Protection of language diversity and encouragement of multilinguism;
• Protection of tangible and intangible cultural heritage as a factor of cultural convergence.

The exhibition can be interesting for linguists, philologists, workers of institutions of culture and art, historians, as well as wide range of readers who are interested in issues of cultural exchange, language and cultural diversity.

Useful references:

• 21 May – World Day of Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development(A/RES/57/249)
• 16 November – International day for tolerance(A/RES/51/95)
• The first week of February – World Interfaith Harmony Week
• 2010 – International Year for Rapprochement of cultures (A/RES/62/90)
• 2008 – International Year of Languages
• 2001 – UN Year of Dialogue among civilizations
• 2001 – 2010 – International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-violence for the children of the World

Documents

General Assembly resolutions

• About tolerance
• About Dialogue among civilizations
• About culture of peace
• About combating defamation of religions

Reports and other documents of the Secretary-General

• About tolerance
• About culture of peace
• About combating defamation of religions
• Documents on promotion of interreligious and intercultural dialogue, understanding and cooperation for peace

Declarations, conventions and agreements

• UN Declaration on the right of indigenous peoples (2007)
• Declaration for Promoting Dialogue and Mutual Understanding among Religions and Civilizations (“Ohrid 2007”)
• Declaration of the Second Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions (23–24 September 2006, Astana, Kazakhstan)
• Bali Declaration on Building Interfaith Harmony Within the International Community (21–22 June 2005, Bali, Indonesia)
• Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural expressions (2005)
• Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (2003)
• UN Universal declaration on Cultural Diversity (2001)
• Global Agenda for Dialogue among Civilizations (2001)
• Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace (1999)
• Declaration of Athens "The heritage of ancient civilizations: Implications for the modern world" (1998)
• Declaration of Principles on Tolerance (1995)
• Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities (1992)
• Declaration on the Elimination of all forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief(1981)