On the other hand, knowledge about other cultures’ ecological Cultural diversity and sustainability >< practices may help us improve our relationship with nature, 04 concerning the use of water, waste recycling and energy efficiency, amongst other things(see figure 4). 09 Cultural Basic competencies and skills We can learn from each other, encouraging a pedagogical perspective which places value on cultural exchange, not only between people of different geographic origin, but also diversity between people from different generations. Amongst the many ideas that could be cited about the [ Javier Malagón Terrón and Emilia Robles Bohórquez ] basic competences and skills to be developed in a context Proconcil Foundation of cultural diversity, apart from those mentioned above, we could emphasis the following: • Learn to live with risk and uncertainty. We must force ourselves to understand the complexity involved Cultural diversity and everyday life memories, beliefs, etc–. This mutual enrichment is in social and cultural diversity and to accept that often made possible due to those factors that unit us coexistence involves risks and uncertainties, which are We could quite safely state that in our society everybody –common values and norms of coexistence in everyday not always a threat and can present opportunities. Photo: Basque Government/J. Maguregi deals on a daily basis with people from different origins situations–. • Handle different codes. In the context of change and cultures. In our neighbourhoods, places of work We live in a plural society where cultural diversity exists and diversity it is important to acquire competence in Some cultures and societies have maintained a balanced and study, and even in our families, there are people and is manifest on many levels: the autochthonous the handling of different cultural codes and to develop relationship with their environment over time. It is important who come from different continents, who speak population is diverse and the immigrant population is communication skills so that they can be adequately to maintain and recover traditional uses and practices as this different languages, practise their own customs and made up of many sociologically and culturally different used in different situations. The new generations will allows us to conserve the biological and landscape diversity, profess different religions. groups. Although common aspects are shared, there have to control various languages fluently and learn without renouncing people’s economic development and At the same time, we share and interact in the same is also diversity within these groups as no person is how to evaluate and adapt themselves to different quality of life. environment which has many common values and norms, exactly the same as another. This diversity is manifest human relations and communication situations.

and we all act similarly in everyday events –like going to in many different cultural expressions which form part • Cultivate a broad spectrum of viewpoints. Today’s [ >< ] Source: Own preparation school or work, going for a walk, playing sports, shopping of human heritage (see figure 1). world cannot be explained only from the perspective at the supermarket or watching television–. of a single society or culture. It is necessary to know Cultural diversity contains great potential for «We must learn to observe the subtle differences the history of different societies, their philosophical educational and personal development as it allows in order to combat stereotypes, prejudices and and religious schools of thought, their moral rules and with the people who form part of our everyday life, for mutual enrichment, thanks to those factors the reductionist ideas which conceal the reality.» behavioural criteria, their contributions to the knowledge with the closest institutions and mediators and, from that differentiate us –languages, customs, historic of nature and technological development. there, connect with other experiences and situations. • Promote intergenerational communication. We must not forget that the experience of diversity Today’s diversity does not only refer to ethnic groups, begins, although it does not end, in everyday life. In 01 Cultural expressions and heritage languages and religions. In order to advance towards other words, “local” and “global” are not opposites but a more habitable world, we must work on our are in fact complementary. These are the opposite of intergenerational comprehension and communication, strict localism and dissolution globalism. from the perspective of fostering a spirit of solidarity It is very important that people, particularly in the amongst the present generations towards future educational sphere, achieve an understanding of the current generations. sustainability crisis and its causes and consequences. It is • Connect local and global. It is important that we equally important that we understand the vision and hope for make contact with the most immediate situation and a better world is possible, in which we can live in peace, with thus be connected with the territory in which we live, social justice, democratically and in harmony with nature. < >

bibliography and references: Athens Acropolis, Greece (Tangible Cultural Heritage) Kun Qu Opera, China (Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible > Aubert, A.; Duque, E.; Fisas, M. and Valls, R.: Dialogar y transformar. Pedagogía crítica del siglo XXI. Barcelona: Graó, 2004. Heritage of Humanity) > Bauman, Z.: La globalización: consecuencias humanas. Mexico D.F.: Fondo de Cultura Económica, 2003. > Harris, M.: Introducción a la antropología general. Madrid: Alianza Editorial, 2003. Cultural expressions are those manifestations of the hand, some material and natural assets are declared World > Imbernón, F.: Cinco ciudadanías para una nueva educación. Barcelona: Graó, 2002. creativity of people, groups and societies: music, dance, Heritage. > UNESCO Guidelines on Intercultural Education. Paris: UNESCO, 2006: Available at: http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0014/001478/147878e.pdf the arts, language, works of art, etc. Some of these The conservation and transmission of heritage allows us to > Amarauna World Languages Network: www.amarauna-languages.com manifestations are designated by UNESCO as Masterpieces understand and find out about history and cultures, thereby > Coalition for Cultural Diversity: www.cdc-ccd.org of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. On the other building people’s collective memory and identity. > Intercultural Education Portal: www.aulaintercultural.org

[ >< ] Source: Own preparation > Salto-Youth resources centre: www.salto-youth.net/diversity

centro unesco euskal herria UN Decade of Education for centre unesco pays basque Sustainable Development unesco centre basque country

09 diversidad cultural ingles.indd 2 20/07/2009 10:16:00 02 Main regulatory instruments in favour of cultural diversity 03 Linguistic diversity

Photo: UNESCO/Riccio Photo: UNESCO/Ravassard Photo: UNESCO/Anis Over 50% of the 6,700 languages in Map of the languages of Mexico, Guatemala and Belize the world are at serious risk and it is   1972  2003 2005 possible that they may be lost over the Convention for the Convention on the next 1 to 4 generations. World, Cultural and Safeguarding of the Protection and Promotion Natural Heritage Algonquina language: Convention Intangible Cultural of the Diversity of Cultural Kikapú 96% of the world languages Heritage Expressions Arahuaca language: Garífuna are spoken by 4% of the world Hokanas languages: population. Cocapa,Paipai… Huave language: Huave The incorporation of immigration lan- Mayan languages: Achi, guages is a phenomenon caused Ch’orti, K’iche’, Poqomam, Uspanteko… by globalisation which also enriches Mixe-zoque languages: Mixe, the linguistic diversity of the recipient Popoluca… countries. For example, in the Bas- Oto-mangué languages: Chatino, Chinanteco, que Country it was discovered that by Matlatzinca, Zapoteco… 2007 the foreign people had brought 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 Tarascana language:Purépecha Totonaca languages: Tepehua, with them over 100 languages. Totonaca… Uto-Aztecan languages: Cora, Guarijío, Nahuatl, «The world is a mosaic of visions and each Tepehuán… vision is embodied in a language. Whene- Isolated Language: Seri Cultural diversity refers to the Unclassified languages: ver a language dies, a vision of the world many forms in which the cultures Xinka, Chontal de Oxaca… disappears.» of groups and societies are ex- Creole language: English Creole David Crystal (linguist) of Belize pressed. 2001  1966  UNESCO Universal Interculturality refers to the [ >< ] Source: AMARAUNA-UNESCO Etxea Declaration of Principles Declaration on Cultural equitable presence and interaction of International Cultural Diversity of different cultures and the possi- Co-operation bility of generating shared cultural expressions, acquired through However, we are also obliged to provide elements so that produce and transform culture. This means empowering dialogue and an attitude of mutual Photo: UNESCO/Breuer Photo: UNESCO/Ravassard respect. learners develop judicious autonomy regarding different pupils, providing them with resources so that they can deal cultural possibilities, contributions or creations operating in consciously, critically and responsibly with their lifestyles.

[ >< ] Source: Own preparation Photo: UNESCO/Massardo our society. In short, although opening up to and valuing We should move on from those approaches that put too cultural diversity are values which must be encouraged, it is high a value on novelty and change, and from those that obvious that they cannot and must not be considered absolute seek to leave everything the way it is. Societies’ continuity values. In other words, respect for cultural diversity is only and progress depends both on cultural conservation and Furthermore, in changing societies like ours, people, depending We must therefore realise that: possible within a broader development framework of human transmission dynamics –endoculturation–, on the capacity to on their background, may behave differently and we can also • Culture change and cultural diversity are opposite sides of rights and democratic coexistence, so as to progress inspire creativity and adapt to new situations and the ability to evolve due to the fact that we change, our values change, our the same coin. Open societies are at the same time towards fairer societies, regarding both the extension of civil open up to different contributions. vision of the world changes and our conduct changes. dynamic and culturally diverse. and citizen rights and the distribution of wealth. • Cultural diversity is a habitual fact of our daily life and The value of little things in the global Cultural diversity in History forms an indissoluble part of the world in which new Between conservation and change context generations will have to live. Nowadays, culturally uniform societies are very rare and find • Such cultural diversity is however a relative phenomena, The conservation of linguistic roots helps us to understand According to Bauman, globalization is being considered it very difficult to ensure their continuity in an interdependent as it is set in a global culture where many ways of peoples’ traditions, sayings, stories and myths. The trend as “the naturalisation of the direction in which the world and globalised world. Cultural diversity is not however a new feeling, thinking and acting are shared. towards recovering the roots must be combined with the is changing”. One value to foster in this highly uncertain phenomena. To a greater or lesser extent, and in different The principle regulatory instruments which directly or indirectly capacity to communicate in a globalised society in which and complex context is that of participation in the public ways, the coexistence and interaction of culturally diverse favour cultural diversity are set out in figure 2. the knowledge and use of other languages is essential, and sphere, from one’s own identity –understood as a process of people and human groups have been habitual in the history favours intercultural links and relations, without overlooking continuous construction–, and from the sense of belonging of many societies. Interdependence and critical autonomy the fact that linguistic diversity is a very important value in –neighbourhoods, associations, etc.–, in relation to the Mesopotamia, Egypt, China, India, the Mayan and Azteca itself (see figure 3). broader processes. Empires, Greece and Rome, territories under the influence of Educational processes can help people remain open to socio- Conserving and/or recovering certain cultural aspects may One example that shows the value of little things would be Christianity, Islam or Buddhism, were all large cultural areas cultural changes and adapt to different environments and be as important for social cohesion and sustainability as their education for sustainability related to cultural diversity. which were never static or homogenous, even though they circumstances. We cannot live in isolation as humans, in transformation or substitution for others. We should neither We should encourage sustainable attitudes and practices in had majority or hegemonic cultural expression, or the fact fact any form of life is only possible with interdependent advocate the myth that all change and everything new the personal sphere, at home, in the neighbourhood, in the that the changes may have occurred more quickly in some relationships. is positive nor defend the opposite. groups to which we belong, while at the same time providing and slower in others. The importance achieved by these civi- If we can make our social relations positive and varied, then this School and all learning centres cannot be merely feedback and connecting with broader experiences. lisations is easier to understand if we take into account their will facilitate the development of communication competences and reproductive structures of a culturally homogenous order, Thereby, responsibility for a global vision which is not limited capacity to assimilate cultural contributions from different ori- social skills thereby increasing the possibilities to choose, without but rather must become workshops and experimentation to monitoring the local effects of the actions, but rather seeks gins. necessarily falling into individualist and unsupportive attitudes. laboratories, where one learns how to critically conserve, to see their possible consequences on the planet, is assumed.

09 diversidad cultural ingles.indd 3 20/07/2009 10:16:11 02 Main regulatory instruments in favour of cultural diversity 03 Linguistic diversity

Photo: UNESCO/Riccio Photo: UNESCO/Ravassard Photo: UNESCO/Anis Over 50% of the 6,700 languages in Map of the languages of Mexico, Guatemala and Belize the world are at serious risk and it is   1972  2003 2005 possible that they may be lost over the Convention for the Convention on the next 1 to 4 generations. World, Cultural and Safeguarding of the Protection and Promotion Natural Heritage Algonquina language: Convention Intangible Cultural of the Diversity of Cultural Kikapú 96% of the world languages Heritage Expressions Arahuaca language: Garífuna are spoken by 4% of the world Hokanas languages: population. Cocapa,Paipai… Huave language: Huave The incorporation of immigration lan- Mayan languages: Achi, guages is a phenomenon caused Ch’orti, K’iche’, Poqomam, Uspanteko… by globalisation which also enriches Mixe-zoque languages: Mixe, the linguistic diversity of the recipient Popoluca… countries. For example, in the Bas- Oto-mangué languages: Chatino, Chinanteco, que Country it was discovered that by Matlatzinca, Zapoteco… 2007 the foreign people had brought 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 Tarascana language:Purépecha Totonaca languages: Tepehua, with them over 100 languages. Totonaca… Uto-Aztecan languages: Cora, Guarijío, Nahuatl, «The world is a mosaic of visions and each Tepehuán… vision is embodied in a language. Whene- Isolated Language: Seri Cultural diversity refers to the Unclassified languages: ver a language dies, a vision of the world many forms in which the cultures Xinka, Chontal de Oxaca… disappears.» of groups and societies are ex- Creole language: English Creole David Crystal (linguist) of Belize pressed. 2001  1966  UNESCO Universal Interculturality refers to the [ >< ] Source: AMARAUNA-UNESCO Etxea Declaration of Principles Declaration on Cultural equitable presence and interaction of International Cultural Diversity of different cultures and the possi- Co-operation bility of generating shared cultural expressions, acquired through However, we are also obliged to provide elements so that produce and transform culture. This means empowering dialogue and an attitude of mutual Photo: UNESCO/Breuer Photo: UNESCO/Ravassard respect. learners develop judicious autonomy regarding different pupils, providing them with resources so that they can deal cultural possibilities, contributions or creations operating in consciously, critically and responsibly with their lifestyles.

[ >< ] Source: Own preparation Photo: UNESCO/Massardo our society. In short, although opening up to and valuing We should move on from those approaches that put too cultural diversity are values which must be encouraged, it is high a value on novelty and change, and from those that obvious that they cannot and must not be considered absolute seek to leave everything the way it is. Societies’ continuity values. In other words, respect for cultural diversity is only and progress depends both on cultural conservation and Furthermore, in changing societies like ours, people, depending We must therefore realise that: possible within a broader development framework of human transmission dynamics –endoculturation–, on the capacity to on their background, may behave differently and we can also • Culture change and cultural diversity are opposite sides of rights and democratic coexistence, so as to progress inspire creativity and adapt to new situations and the ability to evolve due to the fact that we change, our values change, our the same coin. Open societies are at the same time towards fairer societies, regarding both the extension of civil open up to different contributions. vision of the world changes and our conduct changes. dynamic and culturally diverse. and citizen rights and the distribution of wealth. • Cultural diversity is a habitual fact of our daily life and The value of little things in the global Cultural diversity in History forms an indissoluble part of the world in which new Between conservation and change context generations will have to live. Nowadays, culturally uniform societies are very rare and find • Such cultural diversity is however a relative phenomena, The conservation of linguistic roots helps us to understand According to Bauman, globalization is being considered it very difficult to ensure their continuity in an interdependent as it is set in a global culture where many ways of peoples’ traditions, sayings, stories and myths. The trend as “the naturalisation of the direction in which the world and globalised world. Cultural diversity is not however a new feeling, thinking and acting are shared. towards recovering the roots must be combined with the is changing”. One value to foster in this highly uncertain phenomena. To a greater or lesser extent, and in different The principle regulatory instruments which directly or indirectly capacity to communicate in a globalised society in which and complex context is that of participation in the public ways, the coexistence and interaction of culturally diverse favour cultural diversity are set out in figure 2. the knowledge and use of other languages is essential, and sphere, from one’s own identity –understood as a process of people and human groups have been habitual in the history favours intercultural links and relations, without overlooking continuous construction–, and from the sense of belonging of many societies. Interdependence and critical autonomy the fact that linguistic diversity is a very important value in –neighbourhoods, associations, etc.–, in relation to the Mesopotamia, Egypt, China, India, the Mayan and Azteca itself (see figure 3). broader processes. Empires, Greece and Rome, territories under the influence of Educational processes can help people remain open to socio- Conserving and/or recovering certain cultural aspects may One example that shows the value of little things would be Christianity, Islam or Buddhism, were all large cultural areas cultural changes and adapt to different environments and be as important for social cohesion and sustainability as their education for sustainability related to cultural diversity. which were never static or homogenous, even though they circumstances. We cannot live in isolation as humans, in transformation or substitution for others. We should neither We should encourage sustainable attitudes and practices in had majority or hegemonic cultural expression, or the fact fact any form of life is only possible with interdependent advocate the myth that all change and everything new the personal sphere, at home, in the neighbourhood, in the that the changes may have occurred more quickly in some relationships. is positive nor defend the opposite. groups to which we belong, while at the same time providing and slower in others. The importance achieved by these civi- If we can make our social relations positive and varied, then this School and all learning centres cannot be merely feedback and connecting with broader experiences. lisations is easier to understand if we take into account their will facilitate the development of communication competences and reproductive structures of a culturally homogenous order, Thereby, responsibility for a global vision which is not limited capacity to assimilate cultural contributions from different ori- social skills thereby increasing the possibilities to choose, without but rather must become workshops and experimentation to monitoring the local effects of the actions, but rather seeks gins. necessarily falling into individualist and unsupportive attitudes. laboratories, where one learns how to critically conserve, to see their possible consequences on the planet, is assumed.

09 diversidad cultural ingles.indd 3 20/07/2009 10:16:11 On the other hand, knowledge about other cultures’ ecological Cultural diversity and sustainability >< practices may help us improve our relationship with nature, 04 concerning the use of water, waste recycling and energy efficiency, amongst other things(see figure 4). 09 Cultural Basic competencies and skills We can learn from each other, encouraging a pedagogical perspective which places value on cultural exchange, not only between people of different geographic origin, but also diversity between people from different generations. Amongst the many ideas that could be cited about the [ Javier Malagón Terrón and Emilia Robles Bohórquez ] basic competences and skills to be developed in a context Proconcil Foundation of cultural diversity, apart from those mentioned above, we could emphasis the following: • Learn to live with risk and uncertainty. We must force ourselves to understand the complexity involved Cultural diversity and everyday life memories, beliefs, etc–. This mutual enrichment is in social and cultural diversity and to accept that often made possible due to those factors that unit us coexistence involves risks and uncertainties, which are We could quite safely state that in our society everybody –common values and norms of coexistence in everyday not always a threat and can present opportunities. Photo: Basque Government/J. Maguregi deals on a daily basis with people from different origins situations–. • Handle different codes. In the context of change and cultures. In our neighbourhoods, places of work We live in a plural society where cultural diversity exists and diversity it is important to acquire competence in Some cultures and societies have maintained a balanced and study, and even in our families, there are people and is manifest on many levels: the autochthonous the handling of different cultural codes and to develop relationship with their environment over time. It is important who come from different continents, who speak population is diverse and the immigrant population is communication skills so that they can be adequately to maintain and recover traditional uses and practices as this different languages, practise their own customs and made up of many sociologically and culturally different used in different situations. The new generations will allows us to conserve the biological and landscape diversity, profess different religions. groups. Although common aspects are shared, there have to control various languages fluently and learn without renouncing people’s economic development and At the same time, we share and interact in the same is also diversity within these groups as no person is how to evaluate and adapt themselves to different quality of life. environment which has many common values and norms, exactly the same as another. This diversity is manifest human relations and communication situations.

and we all act similarly in everyday events –like going to in many different cultural expressions which form part • Cultivate a broad spectrum of viewpoints. Today’s [ >< ] Source: Own preparation school or work, going for a walk, playing sports, shopping of human heritage (see figure 1). world cannot be explained only from the perspective at the supermarket or watching television–. of a single society or culture. It is necessary to know Cultural diversity contains great potential for «We must learn to observe the subtle differences the history of different societies, their philosophical educational and personal development as it allows in order to combat stereotypes, prejudices and and religious schools of thought, their moral rules and with the people who form part of our everyday life, for mutual enrichment, thanks to those factors the reductionist ideas which conceal the reality.» behavioural criteria, their contributions to the knowledge with the closest institutions and mediators and, from that differentiate us –languages, customs, historic of nature and technological development. there, connect with other experiences and situations. • Promote intergenerational communication. We must not forget that the experience of diversity Today’s diversity does not only refer to ethnic groups, begins, although it does not end, in everyday life. In 01 Cultural expressions and heritage languages and religions. In order to advance towards other words, “local” and “global” are not opposites but a more habitable world, we must work on our are in fact complementary. These are the opposite of intergenerational comprehension and communication, strict localism and dissolution globalism. from the perspective of fostering a spirit of solidarity It is very important that people, particularly in the amongst the present generations towards future educational sphere, achieve an understanding of the current generations. sustainability crisis and its causes and consequences. It is • Connect local and global. It is important that we equally important that we understand the vision and hope for make contact with the most immediate situation and a better world is possible, in which we can live in peace, with thus be connected with the territory in which we live, social justice, democratically and in harmony with nature. < >

bibliography and references: Athens Acropolis, Greece (Tangible Cultural Heritage) Kun Qu Opera, China (Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible > Aubert, A.; Duque, E.; Fisas, M. and Valls, R.: Dialogar y transformar. Pedagogía crítica del siglo XXI. Barcelona: Graó, 2004. Heritage of Humanity) > Bauman, Z.: La globalización: consecuencias humanas. Mexico D.F.: Fondo de Cultura Económica, 2003. > Harris, M.: Introducción a la antropología general. Madrid: Alianza Editorial, 2003. Cultural expressions are those manifestations of the hand, some material and natural assets are declared World > Imbernón, F.: Cinco ciudadanías para una nueva educación. Barcelona: Graó, 2002. creativity of people, groups and societies: music, dance, Heritage. > UNESCO Guidelines on Intercultural Education. Paris: UNESCO, 2006: Available at: http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0014/001478/147878e.pdf the arts, language, works of art, etc. Some of these The conservation and transmission of heritage allows us to > Amarauna World Languages Network: www.amarauna-languages.com manifestations are designated by UNESCO as Masterpieces understand and find out about history and cultures, thereby > Coalition for Cultural Diversity: www.cdc-ccd.org of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. On the other building people’s collective memory and identity. > Intercultural Education Portal: www.aulaintercultural.org

[ >< ] Source: Own preparation > Salto-Youth resources centre: www.salto-youth.net/diversity

centro unesco euskal herria UN Decade of Education for centre unesco pays basque Sustainable Development unesco centre basque country

09 diversidad cultural ingles.indd 2 20/07/2009 10:16:00