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World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development

Cultural events cancelled, cultural institutions closed, community cultural practices suspended, empty UNESCO World Heritage sites, heightened risk of looting of cultural sites and poaching at natural sites, artists unable to make ends meet and the cultural tourism sector greatly affected… The impact of COVID-19 on the cultural sector is being felt around the world. This impact is social, economic and political – it affects the fundamental right of access to culture, the social rights of artists and creative professionals, and the protection of a diversity of cultural expressions.

The unfolding crisis risks deepening inequalities and rendering communities vulnerable. In addition, the creative and cultural industries (CCI) contribute US$2,250bn to the global economy (3% of GDP) and account for 29.5 million jobs worldwide. The economic fall-out of not addressing the cultural sector – and all auxiliary services, particularly in the tourism sector – could also be disastrous. (source “Culture & COVID-19: Impact and Response Tracker – Issue 2

Why does cultural diversity matter?

Three-quarters of the world’s major conflicts have a cultural dimension. Bridging the gap between cultures is urgent and necessary for peace, stability and development.

Cultural diversity is a driving force of development, not only with respect to economic growth, but also as a means of leading a more fulfilling intellectual, emotional, moral and spiritual life. This is captured in the culture conventions, which provide a solid basis for the promotion of cultural diversity. Cultural diversity is thus an asset that is indispensable for poverty reduction and the achievement of sustainable development.

At the same time, acceptance and recognition of cultural diversity – in particular through innovative use of media and Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) – are conducive to dialogue among civilizations and cultures, respect and mutual understanding.

To read more about the origin of this observance and peruse relevant materials, visit un.org/en/observances/cultural-diversity-day.

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Financing for Development, please visit ngosonffd.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-NY, please visit ngocsd-ny.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-Vienna, please visit ngocsdvienna.org

 

NGO Committee on Children’s Rights meeting “Your Choices, Your Planet”

The NGO Committee on Children’s Rights, committed to the well being of the World’s Children and the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), will hold its first meeting of the New Year!

January 21, 2021, 3:30-5:00pm on Zoom

We will focus on a short committee agenda followed by our guest speaker in commemoration of the UN International Education Day on Jan. 25. We invite school children and youth to attend this very educational presentation to learn some practical things each one of us can do to halt the destruction of our planet.

Guest speaker: Ms. Dale Walkonen

We have been hypnotized into thinking of ourselves as consumers in a limitless system of goods. If we realize that each thing, we buy is a vote for or against sustainability we can make better choices. From fashion to food, from travel to technology, what do we really need to have a good life? We will look at some practical answers to the question – What each of us can do to halt the destruction of our planet?

Speaker biography: Dale Walkonen is an Associate Producer at FacingFuture. TV, a Youtube channel dedicated to Climate Change. She was formerly a Professor of Communications at Concordia College, as well as a Legislative Consultant for the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

www.childrightsny.org

Register here!

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Children’s Rights, please visit childrightsny.org. For more information on the Intergenerational Solidarity, please email the vice chair at susanneseperson@gmail.com. For more information on the NGO Committee on Social Development, please visit ngosocdev.org.