The document discusses the need for a broader understanding of diversity, emphasizing cultural diversity and cultural competence as essential for harmonious coexistence. It highlights the significance of UNESCO's Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, advocating for intercultural dialogue and acceptance to foster social cohesion. The author calls for recognizing multiple identities and embracing a plurality of diversity to navigate contemporary global challenges.

1. MPSA - RETHINKING HIGHER EDUCATION
FRI, APRIL 16, 4:40 TO 6:10PM EDT
PROFESSOR JULIETTE PASSER, ESQ., STONY BROOK
UNIVERSITY, SPRING 2021
“Differences do not make us different – differences make us interesting!”!

2. I based my article on two premises:
1. Our current conversations about Diversity are incomplete,
and too narrowly construed, without addressing Cultural
Diversity. New terminology – plurality of diversity.
2. Cultural Diversity presupposes cultural competence, which
itself is not a destination, but a journey. Think of cultural
competence as movement across a spectrum of human
endeavors.

3. “Differences do not make us different – differences make us interesting!”!
Diversity Wheel,
Johns Hopkins University

4. 2021 marks two very important anniversaries - one for terrible
events of September 11, 2001, and one for an affirmation of
total international unity – the 20th anniversary of the UNESCO
Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, adopted on
November 2, 2001, unanimously (185 States) in the wake of the
events of 11 September 2001.
It was an opportunity for States to reaffirm their conviction that
intercultural dialogue is the best guarantee of peace and to reject
outright the theory of the inevitable clash of cultures and
civilizations.

5. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO) is a specialized agency of the United
Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security
through international cooperation in education, the sciences, and
culture. Its programmes contribute to the achievement of the
Sustainable Development Goals defined in Agenda 2030, adopted
by the UN General Assembly in 2015.
The UNESCO’s Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity (UDCD or
the Declaration) represents the first international standard-setting
instrument aimed at preserving and promoting cultural diversity
and intercultural dialogue.

6. In Article 1, culture is defined as being part of “the identities of the
groups and societies making up mankind” and states that "as a source
of exchange, innovation and creativity, cultural diversity is as
necessary for humankind as biodiversity is for nature. In
this sense, it is the common heritage of humanity and should be
recognized and affirmed for the benefit of present and future
generations."
Pluralism is defined in Article 2 as “essential to ensure harmonious
interaction among people and groups with plural, varied and dynamic
cultural identities as well as their willingness to live together.”
Pluralism fosters the inclusion and participation of all citizens, “social
cohesion, the vitally of civil society, and peace.”

7. Understanding cultural diversity embraces acceptance, respect,
and empathy. It means we understand that each individual is
unique and multi-faceted. This means understanding each other
despite our differences. This is the most important dialogue we
can have in the Boardrooms and University classrooms around
the world.
Since globalization requires people from diverse cultural
backgrounds to communicate effectively, being a global citizen
has become one of the fundamental educational goals, for both
corporate directors and educators of all levels.

8. Developing cultural dexterity leads to cultural competence.
Cultural competence — the ability to work effectively across a
variety of cultures — begins as a conversation among people who
see the world differently.
Cultural competence is a set of skills that enables us to learn
about and understand people who are different from ourselves,
thereby becoming better able to serve them within their own
communities.
For example, our diverse students, faculty, and staff at higher
education intuitions. Look around your classrooms – what do you
see?

9. To better appreciate the complexity of culture, consider the foll0wing:
• We have intersecting identities. Each of us belongs to multiple cultures based on race,
ethnic background, gender and gender expression, social class, language and other factors.
• Culture is both visible and invisible. The visible aspect includes differences in overt
behaviors — for instance, how people dress, what they eat and which holidays they observe.
Below the surface are the unspoken beliefs that shape those behaviors.
• Cultures offer widely different answers to questions such as: What does it mean to be “on
time”? When is it okay for me to make direct eye contact with another person? And how closely
do I stand to other people during a conversation?
• Each culture has internal diversity. “American” culture, for example, includes the ethos of
large cities as well as rural communities. We can also distinguish between cultures of the West
coast, East coast and Midwest. In addition, members of each culture can still demonstrate a
variety of beliefs and behaviors.
• Cultures are dynamic. They change over time. For example, American culture once excluded
women from voting and serving in the armed forces — norms that no longer hold today.
Individuals can also acquire a new culture through major life events such as moving to a
different part of the country, retiring from work or becoming disabled.

10. As many of my students around the world will remember, the
banner on my Blackboard is always this: I sincerely believe it. So,
I cannot think of a better tool than the Differences do not make
us different – differences make us interesting!.
Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity to lead off the
dialogue on how to mitigate judgment making, emphasize our
common humanity, and focus on universal values.
The UDCD is the embodiment of these values!

11. How often have you heard it said that we need to recognize
differences? Recognize economic, political, and social
inequalities. “Re-cognize” means, to re-think, re-define, and to
think in different ways.
Well, now is the time to embrace plurality of diversity!
Start however small: “The journey of a thousand miles begins
with one step.”
— LAO TZU, 3000 years ago
The UN has declared May 21st as the World Diversity Day

12. Parting thoughts:
The Universal Declaration makes it clear that each individual must
acknowledge not only otherness in all its forms but also the
plurality of his or her own identity, within societies that are
themselves plural=plurality of diversity.
RBG comment on the SCOTUS: For most of the country's history,
there were nine and they were all men. Nobody thought that was
strange, Why not 9 women?

13. JPasser@prodigy.net Juliette.Passer@stonybrook.edu
www.linkedin.com/in/juliettepasser
Thank you!