Celebrating cultural diversity
My city, Melbourne, has long been a significant meeting place for the Boonwurrung, Dja Dja Wurrung, Woiwurrung, Taungurung , and Wurundjeri Peoples—for gatherings of cultural, educational, spiritual, and sporting significance.
Before European settlement began in my part of the world, in the late 1700s, there were more than 700 ethno-linguistic groups, each with their own distinct culture, language, and social norms. Today, fewer than 50 of those languages are still spoken—and only around 15 are being passed on to the next generation.
How would you feel if you were one of the last speakers of your mother tongue?
The reality is that the world is incredibly rich in cultural and linguistic diversity. Yet, the modern nation-state system—made up of 193 UN member states, 2 observer states, and their dependent territories—often affords privilege to those aligned with the dominant cultural narrative.
And therein lies a struggle. Because within the confines of these nation-states, exist over 8,500 ethno-linguistic groups. The question becomes: How do we ensure visibility and voice for all, rather than just a privileged few?
In many ways, technology and conflict are evolving hand in hand. Since the birth of the World Wide Web in 1989, we’ve entered a hyper-diverse and super-compressed world, where time and space have collapsed. We’ve seen economic globalisation without a corresponding globalisation of values or ethics.
And it’s no coincidence that, since the explosion of social media in 2008, peace has steadily declined, as reported by the Institute for Economics and Peace. In fact, the cost of conflict now exceeds $14.3 trillion USD. According to UNESCO, 75% of all conflicts in the world have a cultural dimension.
As we celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the UNESCO 2005 Convention we must also renew our commitment to its principles, and to reaffirm the vital role that each of us plays in advancing the diversity of cultural expressions.
If culture-based conflict is so prevalent, then culture must sit at the centre of development, along with a deep understanding of how it intersects with human identity. As Civil Society Organisations, our role is crucial to building cultural ecosystems that are fairer, more inclusive, and more sustainable.
The impact of conflict is real. In our own organisation, Cultural Infusion, we have staff in the MENA region who are currently unable to work due to the unfolding crisis. Across the world, conflicts and genocides are occurring —while even in places free from war, we are witnessing an alarming rise in censorship and the silencing of artists.
A striking example is the recent decision during the Intergovernmental Committee Forum in February by Australia’s principal arts investment and advisory body, Creative Australia to cancel Lebanese-Australian artist Khaled Sabsabi from participating in the 2026 Venice Biennale, despite being selected through a rigorous, expert-led process.
Under the 2005 UNESCO Convention, Member States are obligated to protect cultural diversity and prevent censorship. Actions like this undermine our collective global commitment to promoting and safeguarding diverse cultural expressions. A truly just and inclusive cultural world cannot exist without spaces where artistic voices—especially those that challenge dominant narratives—are free to express, reflect, and inspire.
Art and culture give expression to humanity. Without them, humanity is diminished.
The 2005 Convention serves as a powerful reminder that governments must uphold—not restrict—creative expression. The freedom of artists to create and share without fear of censorship, suppression, or cancellation is not a luxury—it’s a necessity.
It is also important to recall that this Convention remains the only binding international legal instrument that recognises civil society as a core pillar in the governance and implementation of cultural policy. Its participatory and co-creative model is not only innovative—it is essential for shaping cultural landscapes that are equitable, diverse, sustainable, and which hold governments to account.
I’d like to offer a moment of silence for those who are currently affected by conflict and genocide around the world as this affects all of us.
We are all connected!
Peter Mousaferiadis delivered this address as the opening keynote of UNESCO’s fifth Civil Society Forum in Paris in June 2025.
Peter Mousaferiadis founded his company Cultural Infusion over twenty years ago to empower a more culturally harmonious world through its brands, creative and education services, and award-winning digital initiatives.
