Protect cultural rights: GG

National, Normal
Source:

The National, Thursday 06th of March, 2014

CULTURAL rights of individuals should not be infringed but protected, says Governor-General Sir Michael Ogio.
He was speaking in support of the Global Village Festival to be hosted by the PNG national commission for UNESCO in Port Moresby.
Sir Michael said initiatives such as the Global Village Festival provided the opportunity to deepen our understanding of the values of cultural diversity and to learn to live in harmonious co-existence.
The festival is to promote World Day for cultural diversity for dialogue and development.
Activities include international exhibition, international cultural performances and an international ball.
“UNESCO is the sole UN Agency with a cultural mandate and has devised policies and actions that demonstrate culture’s unique contribution to development and established a strong conceptual framework for it,” director-general for UNESCO Yori Yei said.
“PNG relies on the international experiences and expertise of people of other culture and nationalities. However little is being done to create public space for international cultural experience and address issues associated with cultural diversity.”
He said cultural diversity was essential for development, while cultural pluralism presents opportunities for creativity and innovation.