International Decade for the Rapprochement of Cultures (2013-2022)
The International Decade for the Rapprochement of Cultures is to be understood as a commitment for addressing this pressing need to take into account and clearly demonstrate new articulations between cultural diversity and universal values.
The “rapprochement of cultures” implies that international security and social inclusion cannot be attained sustainably without a commitment to such principles as human dignity, conviviality and solidarity which are the corner stones of human coexistence, in all faiths and secular ideologies.
Why an International Decade?
- To help address major pressing global challenges through intercultural and interreligious dialogue for deepened understanding and cooperation for peace.
- To build new commitments and follow-up actions to the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-violence for the Children of the World Decade (2001-2010), the Programme of Action for a culture of peace and non-violence and to the International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures (2010).
- To identify gaps and initiate more adequate solutions for creating more peaceful and inclusive societies.
- To showcase why cultural diversity, intercultural and interreligious dialogue and participatory democratic governance are vital for development and peace, especially in time of crisis.
How to make it happen?
The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the period 2013-2022 as the “International Decade for the Rapprochement of Cultures” in December 2012 ()
An Action Plan was adopted by the Executive Board of UNESCO in April 2014 (). Through this Action Plan :
A three-steps approach towards the rapprochement of cultures was defined, including :
- To evaluate the current status of inclusive policies, respectful of diversity and Human Rights;
- Setting annual priorities by elaborating or revising action plans, programmes or activities;
- Establishing meaningful and lasting partnerships at a national, regional and international level.
Four areas were determined as follows :
- Promoting mutual understanding and reciprocal knowledge of cultural, ethnic, linguistic and religious diversity;
- Building a pluralist framework for commonly shared values;
- Disseminating the principles and tools of intercultural dialogue through quality education and the media and;
- Fostering dialogue for sustainable development and its ethical, social and cultural dimensions.
