World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development
International Schools Association
May 21st, 2026
World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development
On May 21st, the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development is celebrated, an initiative promoted by the United Nations to recognize the richness of the world’s diverse cultures and to encourage dialogue, respect, and peaceful coexistence among people. This day aims to highlight the importance of cultural diversity as a driving force for development, creativity, and mutual understanding.
In the educational context, this date provides an opportunity to raise students’ awareness about the value of the different traditions, languages, customs, and ways of life that coexist in our societies.
Organiser:
Colegio Internacional Caza Azul
(Tenerife, España)
General goals
Promoting intercultural dialogue:
Intercultural dialogue fosters understanding and respect for different cultures, thereby reducing prejudice and conflict. It encourages cooperation and harmonious coexistence between individuals and communities, contributing to more peaceful and inclusive societies. In this way, it helps to shape citizens who are aware, tolerant and capable of valuing and protecting cultural diversity.
To raise pupils’ awareness of the importance of cultural diversity:
It helps them to understand and appreciate the different traditions, languages and ways of life that exist in society. This awareness fosters mutual respect and inclusion, helping to prevent prejudice and stereotypes. Furthermore, it enables them to recognise the richness that diversity brings to social, creative and personal development.
Recognising the role of culture as a driving force for social, economic and creative development:
Recognising the role of culture as a driving force for social, economic and creative development helps us understand how cultural expressions contribute to the well-being of communities and the growth of society. Culture creates jobs, drives innovation and encourages the participation of young people and artists, thereby strengthening the economy and social cohesion. Furthermore, it enriches people’s intellectual, emotional and spiritual lives, promoting creativity and cultural identity. Thus, its strategic value in building sustainable, inclusive and dynamic societies is highlighted.
Supporting the Sustainable Development Goals:
SDG 4 – Quality education: to foster inclusive and equitable education and promote opportunities for intercultural learning.
SDG 5 – Gender equality: the cultural and creative sector generates employment for women and promotes their active participation.
SDG 8 – Decent work and economic growth: culture and creativity drive employment, innovation and sustainable economic development.
SDG 10 – Reduced inequalities: through inclusion and respect for different cultures, languages and communities.
SDG 16 – Peace, justice and strong institutions: promoting intercultural dialogue to prevent conflicts and foster peaceful societies.
SDG 17 – Partnerships for the goals: international collaboration on cultural policies and sustainable development.
Activity
From among the proposed activities related to the World Creativity and Innovation Day 2026 theme, you may select those that best suit your school. You can adapt it freely and be creative with the process. We would need the final video to be in the format we requested so that the end result is the best possible.
MOST IMPORTANT ACTIVITY
We would like to create a video showcasing the full range of cultural diversity found within the ISA. To this end, we would ask you to prepare a short video (1 minute maximum 2) about your culture, explaining your traditions. This video will be used to create a fantastic final video featuring all the participating schools.
We realise that it can be difficult to coordinate all the proposed activities, but we would encourage you to ensure that at least this one takes place.
General / All Stages:
- Discuss about the topics, create slides / posters / short videos about what culture means and the impact it has on all of us.
Specific activities (per student age):
Kindergarten (Ages 3-6):
Activity | Description |
Traditional recipes | Prepare a traditional recipe at home with their families. As a final project, they can put together a recipe book.
For example, in the Canary Islands we have traditional dishes such as potatoes with mojo sauce, gofio, and some traditional desserts… |
Drawing of cultural symbols. | Drawing or colouring in cultural symbols to create a shared mural.
For example, in the Canary Islands we have Canarian pintaderas and/or traditions that give rise to wonderful artistic representations. |
Primary School (Grades 1-6):
Activity | Description |
Research poster on native and endemic flora and fauna. | To research and classify endemic and native species, raising environmental awareness in line with the Sustainable Development Goals and highlighting the unique biological characteristics of each region worldwide. |
Traditional recipes | Prepare a traditional recipe at home with their families. As a final project, they can put together a recipe book. |
Middle School – High School:
Activity | Description |
Experience of students from other countries or cultures. | A video filmed in portrait format featuring students of a different nationality. They can share their experiences following their cultural immersion at that school.
Here are some questions to help inspire the students’ testimonials:
|
Research on the financial sectors | To research economic and fiscal models, learn about the main economic sectors in each region, discuss which are considered most important or generate the greatest benefits, and identify the economic sectors linked to culture, etc. For example, in the Canary Islands we have the Canary Islands Economic and Fiscal Regime, designed to offset the disadvantages arising from their geographical remoteness from the Spanish mainland and the rest of Europe. |
SHARING RESULTS / PARTICIPATION IN THE FINAL ONLINE MEETING
Join the Online Final debate – 21st May – all participants from ISA Schools.
Debate on the subject – Discussion on a topic that we will announce once we know which schools are participating .
Collect the most relevant evidence pieces (audio-video materials) in this drive folder:
May 21 _ World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development 2026
The time of the online meeting will be decided according to the time zone of the registered participants. The link will be provided closer to the event.
Rules & Recommendations
If you have any questions please contact us. Please express your interest to participate by writing an email to:
ta******@*************ul.com
la*****@*************ul.com