The Brazilian Ministry of Culture (MinC) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recently celebrated the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development in a meeting that reinforced the importance of respecting Brazil’s diversity, inclusion, and strengthening culture in the country.
“Culture is our greatest power; Brazil has a wealth in its cultural diversity that should be a source of pride for all Brazilians and should reflect all this wonderful multiplicity that Brazil has,” said Marlova Noleto, Director and Representative of UNESCO.
The World Day for Cultural Diversity was established by the United Nations General Assembly on May 21, 2002, following UNESCO’s adoption of the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity in 2001, which recognizes the need to “enhance the potential of culture as a means of achieving prosperity, sustainable development, and peaceful global coexistence.”
“Brazil is a country that constantly reinvents itself in its cultural strength… This (cultural) diversity is essential as it enriches our understanding of the world, promotes respect for differences, and helps ensure the preservation of different cultural identities. However, it is important to recognize that cultural diversity can also be a source of conflict and discrimination, and we must work to promote inclusion and intercultural dialogue,” said Margareth Menezes, Minister of Culture of Brazil.
The event held by MinC and UNESCO reflects the importance of cultural diversity in managing Brazilian public policies to effectively uphold the cultural rights guaranteed in the Constitution. Furthermore, it reinforces the partnership between the Ministry and the Organization.
Source: UNESCO