Cultural Diversity Worldwide

UNESCO is the only organisation in the United Nations system with a mandate in the field of culture. It advocates the strengthening of international cultural cooperation for sustainable development.

Publication

Re|Shaping Cultural Policies 2020: Strengthening Gender Equality and Cultural Diversity .
Deutsche UNESCO-Kommission, 2020

UNESCO advocates the strengthening of international cultural cooperation for sustainable development. The promotion of cultural diversity strengthens the future viability of societies worldwide, because sustainable social development requires the ability to change, especially to change the way people live. Culture is therefore a strategic instrument for sustainable development policy. For peace and security, the recognition of culture is indispensable.

UNESCO is the only organisation in the United Nations with a mandate in the cultural field. On 20 October 2005, the UNESCO General Conference adopted the Convention for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. The Convention which took effect on 18 March 2007 provides a legally binding basis for the right of independent cultural policy.

Adopted in 2015, the United Nations Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development recognises for the first time at global level the key role of cultural diversity and creativity in meeting the challenges of sustainable development. This recognition is consistent with the UNESCO Convention for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.

Fair Culture

Cultural Diversity

Fair Culture

Inequalities are a key challenge for the cultural sector and creative industries, particularly between countries of the Global South and the Global North. The German Commission for UNESCO launched the initiative "Fair Culture" to overcome these challenges.

Discussion Paper on "Fair Culture - A Key to Sustainable Development"

Meldung, 25. February 2021

Discussion Paper on "Fair Culture - A Key to Sustainable Development"

The need for new solutions to promote a fair and sustainable global exchange of cultural goods and services is more urgent than ever. The Discussion Paper provides an insight into the ongoing study “Fair Culture – A Key to Sustainable Development,” which will be published in June 2021.

Fair Culture - A Key to Sustainable Development.
German Commission for UNESCO, 2021

Additional article

Our Contribution

CC-BY-NC-ND 2.0, Duc Truong

Culture and Nature

Our Contribution

The German Commission for UNESCO is the interface between the state, science and civil society for the UNESCO cultural programme in Germany.

Cultural Diversity in Germany

CC-BY 2.0, Neil H

Culture and Nature

Cultural Diversity in Germany

In Germany, the protection and promotion of the diversity of cultural expressions is a basis of the cultural policy of the federal, state and local governments. They are structured in the German system of cultural promotion and encourage the participation of civil society actors at all levels.