UNITED NATIONS: The international community must fight back through openness and acceptance of the world’s myriad traditions as the planet’s cultural diversity comes under continued attack from militant groups espousing virulent forms of intolerance, the United Nations cultural agency said on Thursday.

In a statement to mark the World Day for Cultural Diversity, Irina Bokova, Director General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, reiterated the importance of diversity as humanity’s “shared heritage,”. “It holds the promise of renewal and dynamism, and an engine of innovation and development”, she added.

According to Ms Bokova, this promise is under increasing threat as conflicts engulf Syria and Iraq, a region rich in archaeological and cultural heritage.

Published in Dawn, May 22nd, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play

Opinion

Editorial

Border clashes
19 May, 2024

Border clashes

THE Pakistan-Afghanistan frontier has witnessed another series of flare-ups, this time in the Kurram tribal district...
Penalising the dutiful
19 May, 2024

Penalising the dutiful

DOES the government feel no remorse in burdening honest citizens with the cost of its own ineptitude? With the ...
Students in Kyrgyzstan
Updated 19 May, 2024

Students in Kyrgyzstan

The govt ought to take a direct approach comprising convincing communication with the students and Kyrgyz authorities.
Ominous demands
Updated 18 May, 2024

Ominous demands

The federal government needs to boost its revenues to reduce future borrowing and pay back its existing debt.
Property leaks
18 May, 2024

Property leaks

THE leaked Dubai property data reported on by media organisations around the world earlier this week seems to have...
Heat warnings
18 May, 2024

Heat warnings

STARTING next week, the country must brace for brutal heatwaves. The NDMA warns of severe conditions with...