As calendars fill with activities for Community Action
Month, World Day for Cultural Diversity on Sunday, May 21st is an
opportunity to revisit its history and consider how global aspirations can be reflected
locally. After the United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) adopted the 2001 Universal
Declaration on Cultural Diversity to reinforce commitment to universal human rights, the first World Day was declared by United Nations General
Assembly the following year. Since then, World
Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development has allowed societies
across the globe to share an international stage and engage on equal terms, valuing
the importance of all.
In local communities, the same ideas can prevail, with activities that celebrate uniqueness and pride in heritage – distinct and shared. Children can inspire adults with visual art projects that illustrate family history, languages spoken, and favorite meals. Creating, sharing and viewing videos from within and outside the U.S. can introduce young people to multicultural appreciation. Music, sports and museums can motivate all of us to broaden understanding within our communities. An Arts and Cultural Strategy can cultivate and promote development in systemically oppressed areas, through amplifying inherent knowledge, depth of insight and foresight of those with lived experience. Encouraging expression without the requirement of adaptation to fit a prescribed environment can be instrumental in and align with economic and social improvement without the negative results of suppressing individual freedom that can destroy intrinsic values and identity.
Equity Mindset –
from Othering to Bridging and Belonging
Understanding that language is powerful, and imperfect, we can strive toward inclusion and acceptance in the words we choose. Othering is a concept that can be consciously avoided. While demonstrating respect for and interest in celebrating differences is valuable, using language and exhibiting treatment that insinuates a group or individual is somehow other than standard is detrimental. Even use of the term minority can perpetuate “an ‘us vs. them’ narrative,” which can block progress in building equitable practices.
While bridging cultural differences through socialization may repair a divide, there may be a challenge to finding commonalities that unite when few or none exist. Consciously choosing intellectual curiosity and pursuit of learned empathy over reliance on existing similarities can overcome resistance to accepting diversity. This allows inclusion and promotes universal benefits of belonging. Collaboration can follow, leading to higher problem-solving capabilities from and for a larger community population. Discover more on sustainable and resilient collaboration with the Collective Impact Forum, and find definitions found in the NCAP Toolkit for shared vocabulary.
Additional Resources:
Upcoming Event:
In local communities, the same ideas can prevail, with activities that celebrate uniqueness and pride in heritage – distinct and shared. Children can inspire adults with visual art projects that illustrate family history, languages spoken, and favorite meals. Creating, sharing and viewing videos from within and outside the U.S. can introduce young people to multicultural appreciation. Music, sports and museums can motivate all of us to broaden understanding within our communities. An Arts and Cultural Strategy can cultivate and promote development in systemically oppressed areas, through amplifying inherent knowledge, depth of insight and foresight of those with lived experience. Encouraging expression without the requirement of adaptation to fit a prescribed environment can be instrumental in and align with economic and social improvement without the negative results of suppressing individual freedom that can destroy intrinsic values and identity.
Equity Mindset –
from Othering to Bridging and Belonging
Understanding that language is powerful, and imperfect, we can strive toward inclusion and acceptance in the words we choose. Othering is a concept that can be consciously avoided. While demonstrating respect for and interest in celebrating differences is valuable, using language and exhibiting treatment that insinuates a group or individual is somehow other than standard is detrimental. Even use of the term minority can perpetuate “an ‘us vs. them’ narrative,” which can block progress in building equitable practices.
While bridging cultural differences through socialization may repair a divide, there may be a challenge to finding commonalities that unite when few or none exist. Consciously choosing intellectual curiosity and pursuit of learned empathy over reliance on existing similarities can overcome resistance to accepting diversity. This allows inclusion and promotes universal benefits of belonging. Collaboration can follow, leading to higher problem-solving capabilities from and for a larger community population. Discover more on sustainable and resilient collaboration with the Collective Impact Forum, and find definitions found in the NCAP Toolkit for shared vocabulary.
Additional Resources:
- Online Course on Cultural Intelligence
- U.N. Cultural Diversity Day Website
- U.N. Cultural Diversity Day Background
- UNESCO Article: Dancing, a Liberating Force in Refugee Camps
- UNESCO Culture Video
- Educational Resources for World Cultural Diversity Day
- Othering & Belonging Institute, University of California Berkeley
Upcoming Event:
- NPR Life in the Heartland Special Screening of Episode on Food Insecurity (May 21, Visulite Cinemas, Staunton , FREE) - Screening will be followed by a panel discussion. Register Today!