Do One Thing for Diversity and Inclusion

IPS News (First appeared in DiversityinMotion blog)
Op Ed
By Irina Bokova and Jorge Sampaio*UNITED NATIONS, May 20, 2011 (IPS) -

All cultures contribute to the enrichment of humankind. Human beings must respect one another in all their diversity of belief, culture and language. Differences within and between societies should be neither feared nor repressed but cherished as a precious asset of humanity. This is a core challenge of the 21st century.At the same time, we know well that living at ease with the landscape of diversities can pose challenges because communicating across differences is not always simple. This is true on the borders between countries. This is obvious in the tough neighbourhoods of our cities. UNESCO was created 65 years ago to promote the dialogue of cultures, to deepen understanding between peoples and to make the most of humanity's great diversity with full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. This is also why five years ago a new initiative - the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations – was launched to build bridges between societies, to promote dialogue and understanding and to forge the collective political will to address the world's imbalances. To achieve these goals, we need renewed commitment and intensified collective action by states, by civil society, by the private sector. This must start with the involvement of individuals and communities at grass roots who will make a difference in building a culture of peace and dialogue in our age of diversity.

http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=55721