UNESCO promotes cultural diversity and shared humanity on May 21
May 21st has been declared World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development by UNESCO, in recognition of the role that culture plays in all aspects of our lives, and how culture influences our collective futures. The world’s most important cultural policy gathering, UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development (Mondiacult) was held in Mexico City in 2022. The conference was attended by 135 government ministers, 83 NGOs, 32 intergovernmental organizations and nine UN agencies.
This was a signal that culture is essential and not only contributes to development, but is a key component of development and aids in sustainable development goals like health, education and environment. Brought to the forefront in this conversation are holding high value for indigenous knowledge, ethical use of technology, and ethical imperatives for cultural diversity as a human right and public good, as well as the return of cultural assets. A fascinating article about ancient Mayan groundwater management practices can be found here.
What does that mean for us here in Delaware? Our world has become more international as we welcome newcomers to our communities, and media and digital environments take us places we may never have gone. Cultures shift and change, grow and develop, as we live and work together. We exchange knowledge and dreams. We share ourselves.
Mondiacult values fundamental freedoms of expression, a respect for human rights and equitable access and flow of cultural goods and services. La Colectiva Delaware invites you to join us in promoting cultural diversity and engaging in dialogues that further UNESCO ethical imperatives. There is room for everyone at the table. Contact us at La Esperanza for information about our Affinity Groups.
Sharing room at the table also means sharing power and leadership. Co-leadership models are proliferating in organizations, and represent an adaptable model that does not have to be set in stone. Co-leadership has pushed–and allowed–nonprofits to experiment with new ways of working; to consider new ways to share power and to center proximate Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) leaders. (Chary, 2022, Bridgespan Group) Our work is long-term, and will hopefully live long after us.
The sisters who founded La Esperanza hoped that we would see a thriving community where hope (esperanza) is fulfilled, and we continue to work toward that vision. At La Esperanza we have been building our bench strength and growing our young Latino leaders. I am humbly proud to announce the promotion of La Esperanza’s Bryant Garcia to Co-Executive Director. In his role he will oversee our place-based programming while I take more of a role with our external partnerships and collaborations through La Colectiva. Congratulations Bryant!
Jen Fuqua