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Today, the sheer compression of the world is bringing people and their cultures into the same space with intense speed, rendering new levels and forms of human interaction and interdependence. Population growth and migration are increasing in scale and complexity, and technology and media are bringing people together in ways never before thought possible. As a result, new creative expressions, innovation and immense opportunities have been generated and developed. While these phenomena have brought people together across geographic spaces, it has concurrently exposed a widening moral gap in our societies and the extent to which our societies are ill-equipped to effectively manage and overcome the challenges that continue to arise. Often in parallel with developmental progress, retrogressive patterns have emerged that present persistent threats to peace-building and social cohesion. Recurrent cycles of deadlock and conflict undermine governance and legislation at international, national and local levels preventing long-term peace and development.

The litany of polarization within our societies often defined along the lines of ‘identity’ – religious, cultural, ethnic, or otherwise – are increasingly manifested in prejudice, intolerance, racism, xenophobia, discrimination, radicalization and extreme violence. The challenges are often multidimensional and interrelated, and their impacts cross conventional borders, thus revealing a pervading vulnerability at global level and the accompanying need for a global response. From a policy and governance perspective, this has rendered new levels of complexity in addressing challenges. It has also reinforced the need for a more inclusive and participatory notion of development, including integrated approaches that tackle the issues at hand as well as their foundations.

The Decade has come into being in an era marked by increased divisiveness, and learning to live together in the 21st century presents a new frontier for managing cultural diversity. Respect for the inherent dignity of all persons underpins the values of the Decade and is one of the core pillars of the UN system, to ensure that all people have equal rights and opportunities to shape their future. These principles are reflected in the values of many cultures around the world. Intercultural dialogue denotes an open process of exchange and respect between individuals and groups of different cultures, points of view and aspirations. In such a way, the respect for and exercise and enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms are not only key inroads to dialogue, but they are integral to its process. Ultimately they are crucial to sustaining the rapprochement of cultures as the central aspiration of the Decade.