World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development
May 21

Read:
1 Nephi 19:17

Explain:
In the wake of the 9-11 attacks, UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) adopted a Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity. The declaration affirmed that cultural diversity is "the common heritage of humanity" and that "it is essential to ensure harmonious interaction among people and groups" with different cultural identities. In many parts of the world, globalization, nationalism, and religious intolerance threaten cultural diversity. World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development was created as an opportunity for people to deepen their understanding of the values of cultural diversity and to learn to live together better.

Pray:

• Give thanks for the positive values and traditions you have learned through your own culture.
• Give thanks for those who preserve arts, traditions, and languages at risk of being lost.
• Pray for greater harmony and understanding among people from different cultures.