GFDD at the DPI/NGO briefing in observance of The World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development
New York City, United States, May 18, 2006

Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD), represented by María Victoria Abreu, attended the United Nations Department of Public Information NGO Section (DPI/NGO) briefing in observance of The World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, held on May 18, 2006, at the Dag Hammarskjöld Library Auditorium, United Nations Headquarters, New York City.

This briefing consisted on a two-part event. First, four panelists talked about cultural diversity and the importance of cross-cultural information. The panelists included Ms. Visnja McMacster, a Croatian poet and intellectual who talked about the role of poetry in conserving cultural diversity and presented the global initiative called "Poets united for Peace"; Mr. Joep de Koning, President of the Tolerance Park, who emphasized the role of tolerance as the glue that binds us together; Mr. Shamil Idriss, Deputy Director of the UN Alliance of Civilizations, who very interestingly referred to the dynamic changes of the worldwide media and its impact on relations across cultures, and highlighted the powerful role of the media in impacting self-esteems specially in minority groups; and Mr. Kenneth Goldsmith, Coordinator of Gallery Education for Museum of Jewish Heritage, who focused his lecture in the importance of deep public awareness on individuals being members of the humankind, for there to be peace and development in the world. The panel was moderated by Juan Carlos Brandt and Joan Koarby, from the UN DPI/NGO Executive Committee.

The second part of the event consisted on the presentation of the 2006 list of "10 stories the world should hear more about", by Mr. Alex Taukatch, Chief, UN News Services Section of the DPI; and some brief remarks by Ms. Elizabeth Baldwin, Chief Editor, UN Yearbook, on this important annual UN publication.

In addition to DPI/NGO, Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) is member of several other agencies within the United Nations as an institution with Consultative Status.

Additional information:

In November 2001, the General Assembly of the United Nations welcomed the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity and the main lines of its Action Plan and proclaimed 21 May as World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development (Resolution 57/249).