FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CULTURAL DIVERSITY,
SOCIAL COHESION AND
CONFLICT PREVENTION / HUMAN SECURITY
CONTEXT / BACKGROUND
The topic of sustainable development or, more specifically, the
interface between culture and sustainable development, has been
of particular interest internationally in 2003 - 2004.
The publication, on July 15, 2004, of the Human Development Report
2004 by the UNDP, introducing the concept of "cultural liberty"
is also noteworthy. This major report examines the concepts of cultural
diversity, democracy, interculturality, cultural exclusion, differentiation
and juxtaposition of identity, as well as globalization and cultural
domination.
According to the UNDP report, there are two types of cultural exclusion:
(1) exclusion based on a way of life and requiring everyone to live
exactly like everyone else in society; and (2) exclusion based on
participation where individuals are the victims of discrimination
or are denied social, political or economic opportunities due to
their cultural identity. While these two forms of exclusion occur
in varying degrees, they are generally present on all continents,
regardless of the level of development.
In order to address the objectives of NEPAD to further the social
and economic development of the continent of Africa, it is vital
that these concepts be explored, and that the role of cultural diversity
in social cohesion, conflict prevention, and human security and
development on the continent be articulated.
Activities in various sectors of government (i.e., finance, trade,
environment, tourism, communication and education) are of interest
to assist in the development of sound cultural policy development
in Africa, which is forward looking and takes into account the transversal
nature of culture across all of these spheres.
- Culture as a tool for strengthening social cohesion
- Cultural diversity and human security/peace and stability
- Cultural industries based on synergies created between the various
sectors of government activity (as reflected above).
1. What is cultural diversity?
The draft Convention on cultural diversity, prepared within the
framework of the INCP, defines cultural diversity as "the multiplicity
and interaction of cultural expressions that co-exist in the world
and thus enrich the common heritage of humanity". This definition
is very close to the one chosen by the group of independent experts
set up by the UNESCO Director General, who had the task of preparing
a preliminary draft of a Convention on the protection of the
diversity of cultural contents and artistic expressions. In
this draft, cultural diversity is defined as "the manifold
ways in which the cultures of social groups and societies find expression.
Cultural diversity is expressed in the co-existence and exchange
of culturally different practices and in the provision and consumption
of culturally different services and products. From the diverse
forms taken by culture over time and space, stem the uniqueness
and plurality of the identities and cultural expressions of the
peoples and societies that make up humankind. Cultural diversity
is made manifest not only through the varied ways in which the cultural
heritage of humankind is protected, augmented and transmitted to
future generations, but also through the variety of cultural expressions
which are borne by cultural goods and services, in all parts of
the world at any given time, through diverse modes of production,
dissemination, distribution and consumption.
Far from separating us, cultural diversity is a collective strength,
which should benefit the entire world. In this sense, it should
be recognized and affirmed as a "common heritage" of humanity
(UNESCO Declaration on Cultural Diversity, November 2001).
2. What is social cohesion?
Culture is at the heart of contemporary debates about identity,
social cohesion and the development of a knowledge-based economy.
It takes diverse forms across time and space. It is the glue that
brings people together. UNESCO defines culture as "the set
of distinctive spiritual, material and emotional features of society
or a social group, and encompasses in addition to art and literature,
lifestyles, ways of living together, value systems, traditions and
beliefs".
The UNESCO declaration on cultural diversity gave states the opportunity
to reaffirm their conviction that intercultural dialogue is the
best guarantee of peace and to reject outright the theory of the
inevitable clash of cultures and civilization. The declaration aims
both to preserve cultural diversity as a living and thus renewable
treasure that must not be perceived as being unchanging heritage,
but as a process guaranteeing the survival of humanity and to prevent
segregation and fundamentalism, which in cultural differences would
sanctify those differences and so encounter the message of the universal
declaration of human rights.
Social cohesion is about how united, connected, co-operative and
trustful a society is. Social cohesion requires tolerance for cultural
diversity. Social exclusion happens when people or places suffer
from a series of problems, e.g. unemployment, discrimination, poor
skills, low income, poor housing, high crime, ill health and family
breakdown. Social inclusion means that the whole society enjoys
the benefits of economic activity and has full access to appropriate
opportunities like education and employment.
Regeneration, both moral and physical, is one very important aspect
of social cohesion. The closure of industries and deterioration
of buildings and cities lead to bad reputations for residential
areas and a loss of pride in the area's heritage. It is critical
that urban renewal strategies have cultural planning as their basis
and take into account the ethnic diversity of the area. Ethnic diversity
encourages social cohesion, instead of presenting an obstacle to
it, bringing people together and providing them with an opportunity
to learn from each other's different cultural backgrounds.
The term social cohesion is an important aspect of the Council
of Europe's efforts to strengthen human and social dignity in a
spirit of solidarity. It covers a variety of actions to combat inequalities,
promote protection of groups at risk and reinforce supporting measures
to family policy. These activities are intended to assist the reintegration
of excluded persons in the five main areas, which are: access to
social protection, housing, employment, healthcare and education.
In a summit held at Copenhagen in March 1995, the United Nations
delegation agreed on a policy on Social Security, where it was agreed
that all people should be provided with the means to exercise their
right to meet the responsibilities that enable them to contribute
to the well-being of their families, communities and humankind.
This includes children, people with disabilities, migrants and elderly
people. This is intended to promote social justice, social development
and combat social imbalances in the society.
The inception of the African Union, the Conference of Intellectuals
from Africa and the Diaspora, the New Partnership for Africa's Development,
and the Pan African Parliament, just to mention a few, as well as
the central role that South Africa is playing, are very significant
in that the common aim of these organisations is to, among other
things, the acceleration of the process of integration in the continent
to enable it to play its rightful role in the global economy while
addressing multifaceted social, economic and political problems
compounded, as they are by certain negative aspects of globalisation,
and to get rid of colonisation and apartheid.
3. How does cultural diversity prevent conflict?
There are many causes of conflict, but recent history of conflict
across the world, demonstrates that a lack of understanding of other
people's values and culture is central to most conflicts. Cultural
diversity fosters respect, understanding and acceptance of diverse
cultures, and argues that there is space for each and every one
of them. Rather than seeing diverse cultures as a source of divisions,
it is seen as a source of strength and richness for the community
possessing it and for broader humanity. As such, cultural
diversity moves away from the notion of tolerance, to mutual respect
and understanding. One of the key requirements for sustainable development
is a stable and peaceful environment, devoid of conflict. Cultural
diversity facilitates the creation of this environment by promoting
co-existence and understanding of diverse cultures.
Every human being has the right to culture, including the right
to enjoy and develop cultural life and identity. Cultural rights,
however, are not unlimited. The right to culture is limited at the
point at which it infringes on another human right. No right can
be used at the expense or destruction of another, in accordance
with international law. Recognition and appreciation of particular
cultural contexts would serve to facilitate, rather than reduce,
human rights respect and observance. Such an approach is essential
to ensure that the future will be guided above all by human rights,
non-discrimination, tolerance and cultural pluralism.
Furthermore, the obligation is established for all States, in accordance
with the Charter of the United Nations and other instruments of
human rights and international law. No State is exempt from this
obligation. All Member States of the United Nations have a legal
obligation to promote and protect human rights, regardless of particular
cultural perspectives. The legal obligation is reaffirmed for all
States to promote "universal respect for, and observance and
protection of, all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all".
It is clearly stated that the obligation of States is to promote
universal respect for, and observance of, human rights, rather than
selective or relative respect, observance and protection.
The end of the super power rivalry in colonizing Africa and the
growing disparity in wealth and access to resources, coincide with
an alarming increase in violence, poverty and unemployment, homelessness,
displaced persons and the erosion of environmental stability. The
end of the cold war has created a series of tentative attempts to
define "a new world order". The international community
has entered a period of global transition that has created more
social problems than solutions. At the same time, previously isolated
peoples are being brought together voluntarily and involuntary by
the increasing integration of markets, the emergence of new regional
political alliances, and remarkable advances in telecommunications,
biotechnology and transportation that have prompted unprecedented
demographic shifts. This climate of change and acute vulnerability
raises new challenges to our ongoing pursuit of universal human
rights.
According to the UNESCO Declaration on Cultural Diversity, market
forces alone cannot guarantee the preservation and promotion of
cultural diversity, which is the key to sustainable human development
and, therefore, the pre-eminence of public policy in partnership
with the private sector and civil society must be reaffirmed. Largely
through the ongoing work of the United Nations, the universality
of human rights has been clearly established and recognized in international
law. Human rights are emphasized among the purposes of the United
Nations as proclaimed in its Charter, which states that human
rights are "for all without distinction". Human rights
are the natural-born rights for every human being, universally.
They are not privileges.
4. How is cultural diversity an essential requirement for
social cohesion?
Social cohesion is one of those things that are often taken for
granted. In most cases its importance is apparent in its absence
rather than when it is functioning smoothly. Social cohesion refers
to a situation of stability, harmony and collaboration among different
segments of society, despite certain differences. By highlighting
the importance of respect and acceptance of difference, and providing
space for diverse cultural expressions, cultural diversity creates
solid foundations for social capital, which is an inherent aspect
of social cohesion.
Cultural rights are an integral part of human rights, which are
universal, indivisible and interdependent. According to the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Economic,
Social and Cultural Rights, all persons have the right to express
themselves and to create and disseminate their work in the language
of their choice, all persons are entitled to quality education and
training that fully respect their cultural identity, participate
in the cultural life of their choice and conduct their cultural
practices, subject to respect for human rights. All persons are
entitled to freedom of expression, media pluralism, multilingualism,
equal access to art and scientific knowledge. This access guarantees
cultural diversity. When preserved, cultural heritage fosters creativity
and inspires genuine dialogue among cultures. International solidarity
can assist in strengthening the capacity for developing countries
and countries in transition to establish cultural industries that
are viable nationally and internationally. Access to information
and cultural acceptability will make this possible.
There is an understandable urge to return to old conventions, traditional
cultures, fundamental values, and the familiar, seemingly secure,
sense of one's identity. Without a secure sense of identity amidst
the turmoil of transition, people may resort to isolationism, ethno-centricism
and intolerance. How can human rights be reconciled with the clash
of cultures that has come to characterize our time? Cultural background
is one of the primary sources of identity. It is the source for
a great deal of self-definition, expression, and a sense of group
belonging. As cultures interact and intermix, cultural identities
change. This process can be enriching, but disorienting. The current
insecurity of cultural identity reflects fundamental changes in
how we define and express who we are today. Accordingly, the promotion
and protection of human rights perceived as culturally-relative
would only be subject to State discretion, rather than international
legal imperative. By rejecting or disregarding their legal obligation
to promote and protect universal human rights, States advocating
cultural relativism could raise their own cultural norms and particularities
above international law and standards. In the recent issue of A
Global Agenda, Charles Norchi points out that the Universal
Declaration
"represents a broader consensus on human dignity than does
any single culture or tradition".
RECOMMENDATIONS
- The importance of having a cultural policy that will be used
as a source of reference;
- Coming up with strategies on social cohesion/inclusion that
will be monitored in terms of its outcomes;
- A comprehensive research that involves the communities in question.
- The importance of having a cultural policy that will be used
as a source of reference;
- Coming up with strategies on social cohesion/inclusion that
will be monitored in terms of its outcomes;
- A comprehensive research that involves the communities in question.
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