World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development 2005. A Librarian at Every Table. No. 272.

World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development 2005 : what is our duty ?

21 May is World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development (UNESCO Resolution 57/249)

The Day will provide us with an opportunity to deepen understanding of the values of Cultural Diversity and to learn to “live together” better. This is why UNESCO appeals to the Member States as well as to all civil society to celebrate this World Day by involving as many actors and partners as possible.

The need to include indigenous education for development has been highlighted by Education International, a global union federation representing over 29 million teachers.
300 million Indigenous Peoples live in over 70 countries and represent 4% of the world's population. For most Indigenous Peoples, education has been used as one of the tools in the destruction of their culture. It has been part of the process of assimilation. Around the world, children from Indigenous communities feature at the bottom of indicators of educational achievement. Educators and EI member organisations have a special responsibility to support Indigenous Peoples in their efforts to ensure the educational success of their children and the survival of their knowledge, languages, and cultures.