'Cultural Diversity can neither be decreed nor improvised'

摘要

The UNESCO Constitution mandates the Organization both to respect the "fruitful diversity of (...) cultures" and to "promote the free flow of ideas by word and image". Since the Constitution was adopted, UNESCO has spared no effort to fulfil this double mission. Its progression between 1946 and 2005 is easily followed. Diversity remains the central issue, but it has been a long road in a rapidly changing world from recognizing the diversity between cultures, to affirming that they are of equal dignity, then to recognizing cultural diversity in itself and, finally, the diversity of cultural expressions. In fact, cultural diversity can neither be decreed nor improvised. It constantly raises new challenges and calls for new forms of action.