World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development
Spreading Love through Culture, Sustaining Peace, and Creating a Brighter Future Together
Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze
Zhang-men-ren of Tai Ji Men
Vice President of the Association of World Citizens,
NGO in Consultative Status with ECOSOC and Associated with the UN DPI
President of the Federation of World Peace and Love
May 21, 2025
Distinguished guests, dear friends, ladies and gentlemen, Greetings to you all,
To promote mutual understanding of cultural diversity, UNESCO adopted the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity in 2001. In December 2002, the United Nations General Assembly designated May 21 as the “World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development,” calling on the international community to value the harmonious development of cultural diversity, to protect various cultural heritages, to foster global cultural exchanges, and to emphasize that all cultures possess equal dignity and rights.
Rich and diverse cultures are a shared heritage of all humanity, and their flourishing depends on mutual understanding and respect. Throughout history, phenomena such as cultural exclusion, conflict, and assimilation have been all too common. According to United Nations data, approximately 89% of current conflicts occur in countries where intercultural dialogue is lacking. Therefore, to build effective communication among different ethnic groups within nations and between nations internationally, to maintain peace, to reduce hatred, and to foster mutual respect, strengthening dialogue between cultures is an urgent priority. It is particularly important to utilize innovative media and information technologies to promote dialogue, respect, and mutual understanding among civilizations and cultures.
At the 2022 UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development, representatives from 150 countries unanimously adopted a historic Declaration for Culture. This declaration recognized culture as a “global public good” and advocated for culture itself to be included as a specific goal in the post-2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda. History has shown that many great civilizations emerged in places where diverse cultures converged. Cultural diversity promotes mutual understanding, innovation, and cooperation among peoples, thereby reducing misunderstandings and conflicts. Through mutual learning and integration of strengths, different cultures can enrich their inherent values and spark even greater brilliance.
At the 66th United Nations DPI/NGO Conference in 2016, I presented the paper “The Global Hope: Conscience, Education, and Culture,” offering a pathway toward sustainable development for the United Nations. Based on the universal culture of love and peace, complemented by conscience-driven education, we must respect and embrace cultural differences with open hearts, thereby promoting dialogue and understanding among the nations of the world and building friendships that transcend borders.
UNESCO has emphasized that “cultural diversity is part of humanity’s heritage and a cornerstone of lasting peace and sustainable development.” To promote international cultural dialogue and exchange, I have led the “Federation of World Peace and Love Cultural Goodwill Group” to visit 114 countries around the globe, organizing cultural exchange activities in each nation. Through artistic martial arts performances, peace bell-ringing ceremonies, and other meaningful events, we have shared the vision of a “realm of peace,” delivering messages of love and conscience, and fostering understanding and respect between different cultures. We have created a mobile platform inviting leaders and global citizens to share their experiences of conscience, love, and peace. Through these shared experiences, we deepen mutual understanding and promote the advancement of peace. When humanity learns to find common values amid diversity, we truly walk the path of peaceful coexistence and sustainable development.
The practice of a culture of conscience, love, and peace begins with oneself. By taking five minutes each day to quiet the mind and listen to the voice of conscience, we can find inner balance and awaken the love within. By utilizing technology and media to encourage kind and effective dialogues, we move beyond merely “seeing differences” to actively fostering intercultural understanding and mutual trust through systems, education, and daily practice. Through this deepened sense of identity and solidarity, we can unite positive forces and create a global butterfly effect of goodness.
Let us celebrate the value of cultural diversity, deepen our capacity for inclusion, and transform it into a powerful engine for social innovation, overcoming future challenges together.
I wish you all the strength to find the power of mutual understanding, respect, and shared prosperity in our diverse world, and may culture and civilization flourish endlessly.