On the 21st of May each year, the global community celebrates the World Day for Cultural Diversity. Hence, the 2022 edition of the laudable commemoration was marked two weeks back.
In 2001, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) adopted the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity; hence in December 2002, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in its unanimous resolution, declared May 21 annually to be the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development. The Day provides us with an opportunity to deepen our understanding of the values of cultural diversity and to learn to live together better.
Heritage is described as the inheritance such as buildings, monuments, or any property of an individual or a society. Whilst cultural heritage, are the inherited qualities, traditions, ideas, or style of living of an individual or a given society, which have continued over many years, especially when they are considered to be of historical importance.
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On the other hand, cultural diversity is defined as the situation whereby the cultural heritage of a person, group or society varies or consists of different conditions, qualities, or types. In other words, the diversity of a given culture is the state at which it comprises or is made up of varieties.
Undoubtedly, cultures such as dancing, masquerading, dressing, sewing, hunting, fishing, singing, wrestling, molding of sculptures, painting, and so on, are essential developmental tools in any country. Culture is strongly connected with identity; and identity expressed through culture is a necessity for all human developments. It creates the fundamental building blocks in our respective personalities and in the ties that link us to various communities as well as any nation we find ourselves in.
Culture plays a unique and crucial role in a development policy especially issues relating to human rights. A free and staunch cultural heritage has the tendency of promoting other rights and values to include freedom of expression, diversity and debate about needs in a society. In the same vein, culture is a key player in the link between freedom of expression and democratization.
Culture can also encourage the economic growth of either a nation or an individual. For instance, a country that’s tremendously gifted with swimming, which is a globally recognized lucrative sporting activity, can substantially boost its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) if a meaningful attention is given to such heritage.
Creative areas including music, paintings, drawings and sewing, can equally serve as revenue sources. In fact, the encounter between culture, creativity, technology and economy embodies a great potential in creating work places and increasing exports, and also contributes to social inclusion.
Culture can equally assist in checking socio-political crises or differences. It ensures unity during crisis, and influences identity, debate and dialogue; thus, it is needed for nation building, and for peace and reconciliation. Needless to say, it inspires change, which we all anticipate. Survey indicates that cultural cooperation is one of the most equality-oriented forms of co-operations in existence.
The entertainment industry cannot be left out while discussing the impact of cultural heritage in nation building. Similarly, the tourism of any country cannot be discussed without mentioning the country’s cultural diversity.
It is obvious that the cultural heritage of any society contributes over sixty-five percent (65%) of its tourist sector, which remains one of the paramount Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) sources of any developed society.
Surely, tourism is one of the backbones or engine rooms of any developed country in the world, and this cannot be possible without the impact of cultural diversity of the country in question.
This implies that Nigeria, which is made of over two hundred and fifty (250) ethnic groups in which each of the groups is endowed with different cultural resources, can as well consider harnessing her tourist sector as she is currently thinking of economic diversification or beyond oil and gas.
There is a compelling need for us to acknowledge that our cultural diversity is a stimulator of creativity, and investing in creativity can transform societies. Hence, it is our civic responsibility to develop education and intercultural skills in our young ones as well as learn to live together in the diversity of our cultures, languages and religions in order to bring the desired change.
So, at such a time like this, the Nigerian government needn’t be reminded that it’s a moment to look inwards toward rejuvenating the country’s cultural heritage in its entirety with a view to boosting her tourism industry that’s currently seemingly moribund.
In view of this, there is no gain reiterating the fact that it is high time the Nigeria’s cultural heritage is reviewed by the appropriate quarters or authorities, so that, credible ones would be sustained or harnessed via institution of cultural carnivals by both federal and state governments, promotion of the various existing communal cultural festivals, establishment of museums, and other related practices.
By doing so, the unacceptable ones would either be addressed or completely abolished, with a sole motive of boosting the country’s tourism industry as well as encouraging human empowerment.