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

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