ISLAMABAD: Cultural diversity is our shared heritage and a symbol of freedom but in Pakistan, it is under the attack of extremists.

This was said by Secretary, Federal Education and Professional Training, Mohammad Imtiaz Tajwar while addressing the launching ceremony of the ‘First Pakistan Festival of Cultural Diversity’ at Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) on Wednesday.

The three-day festival is being organised by Pakistan National Commission for Unesco (PNCU), Devcom-Pakistan, Roots School, PNCA and CDA.

Mr Tajwar said because of cultural diversity not only were opportunities of development created but it also opened new avenues for progress.

“Cultural diversity promotes dialogue, cooperation and tolerance among different cultural groups. But enemies of human dignity are bent upon destroying it,” he said.

Unesco Director Vibeke Jensen said Pakistan was an incredibly diverse society and therefore it made sense to celebrate ‘Cultural Diversity Day’.

She said this diversity at times could be seen as a source of conflict but Unesco preferred to benefit from this opportunity to promote peace and sustainable development.

“From audio-visual design to production, performing arts to new media, and from publishing to visual arts, Pakistan cultural diversity is a creative diversity. It is a source of employment and income, conveying identities and collective benchmarks, contributing to social cohesion and self-esteem in our globalised world,” she said.

The festival’s director and Director Development Communications Network (Devcom-Pakistan) Munir Ahmed said: The Pakistan Festival of Cultural Diversity has been launched to showcase the cultural diversity of Pakistan and other countries and to mark Unesco’s World Day of Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development which is celebrated on May 21 every year.”

He said youth along with senior artists, crafts persons and people from various walks of life have been engaged.

It is pertinent to educate youth about the importance of diversity of cultures and to create harmony and social peace. Consistent and lasting peace among various ethnic groups would promote social and economic development, he added.

Secretary General PNCU Hafiz Sher Ali said Pakistan National Commission for Unesco was responsible for mainstreaming the Unesco objectives that Pakistan government had endorsed through different activities in partnership with other government and non-government organisations.

Founder and Chairperson of the Roots School System Riffat Mushtaq said celebrating cultural diversity day was a step forward towards promoting world peace.

The three-day event will provide a platform for international understanding and intercultural awareness that is necessary to prepare our children to contribute to developing global vision.

During the inaugural ceremony a report on Pakistani culture and the cultures of countries like China, Turkey, Germany, Spain, Thailand and Sri Lanka was presented.

Students wore traditional dresses of various countries and gave presentations.

Students of Government Postgraduate College for Women Satellite Town, Fatima Jinnah Women University and some students of the Rawalpindi Arts Council displayed their paintings and some designs portraying the cultural evolution in Pakistan and across the globe.

Published in Dawn, May 21st, 2015

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