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Irina Bokova - Bio

Irina Bokova served as Bulgaria’s representative to the United Nations, as her country’s Secretary of State for European integration, Foreign Minister, Ambassador of Bulgaria in France and Monaco and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO. As Founder and Chairperson of the European Policy Forum, she worked to overcome divisions in Europe and promote the values of dialogue, diversity, human dignity and rights. She is the first woman Director-General of UNESCO.

Managing diversity is one of the core tasks of the 21st century.

Diversity raises questions about the role of the State and about public policy. It raises questions about the foundations for peace and security, about social stability, cohesion and justice.

Managing the diversity of States has always been a central question of international relations.

Today, managing diversity within States is becoming a core issue of global governance.

Ten years ago, in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of 9/11, UNESCO adopted the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity that sets out the principles for understanding and managing diversity – in this case, cultural diversity. It sets out a vision for a new approach to living together, a new approach to development that makes the most of the wealth of humanity’s great diversity, something that calls for a new humanism.

The Universal Declaration defines cultural diversity as an ‘ethical imperative, inseparable from respect for human rights,’ which are universal, indivisible and interdependent.

Cultures are different across the world - but humanity remains a single community, united around human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The role of UNESCO

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UNESCO, by virtue of its mandate and functions, has the responsibility to:

b- Serve as a reference point and a forum where States, international governmental and non-governmental organizations, civil society and the private sector may join together in elaborating concepts, objectives and policies in favour of cultural diversity;

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