TRENDS Research and Advisory organized a lecture titled “Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development” on the sidelines of its participation in the 30th edition of Abu Dhabi International Book Fair. The lecture was delivered by Dr. Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre
Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS Research and Advisory, highlighted the significance of the topic, given its connection to issues of security, development, global dialogue, and peace. He said that the lecture’s subject coincides with two significant events. Firstly, the recent global celebration of the “World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development”, observed on 21 May annually, serves as an annual reminder for countries, organizations, and peoples worldwide to enhance cultural cooperation between nations and civilizations.
The second event, an Emirati event with a global cultural vision, is the launch of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, which has become one of the most important book fairs in the region and the world.
Dr. Ali bin Tamim began the lecture by affirming that the issue of cultural diversity and its various manifestations receives significant attention in social and political studies, given its profound impact on the stability of societies and nations. Acceptance of cultural diversity is acceptance of others, and recognition of this diversity is the best way to make others accept us. It is also one of the important factors in achieving integration among all members of society and ensuring its security and stability. In fact, the attempts to eliminate and exclude certain components within some countries have led to their fragmentation and, perhaps, division. He pointed out that the founder of the United Arab Emirates and its late great leader, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may his soul rest in peace, realized that the success of the union would not be achieved unless its society was based on cultural diversity. Since its inception, the UAE has been a haven for different races, nationalities, religions, and cultures. The wise leadership of the UAE has drawn inspiration from the founding father’s vision in this context, seeking to enact laws and legislation that protect this approach. This is based on their belief that success in achieving sustainable development goals and building individuals requires a greater acceptance of cultural diversity and the assimilation of different patterns of thought, beliefs, values, tastes, behaviors and lifestyles. This is a practical application of the statement in the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity that cultural diversity is “one of the roots of development, understood not simply in terms of economic growth but also as a means to achieve a more satisfactory intellectual, emotional, moral and spiritual existence”.
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